Travis Bishop, soldier imprisoned as conscientious objector in USA

AMR 51/093/2009

Sargent Travis Bishop is serving a one-year prison sentence over his refusal to serve in Afghanistan, a refusal caused by his religious beliefs. AI considers him a prisoner of conscience. Click above for full details.

Please write to:
Commanding Officer of Travis Bishop's Unit

• Lieutenant General Rick Lynch; Commanding General; III Corps HQ; 1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave.; Bldg. 1001, Room W105; Fort Hood, TX 76544-5005; USA (Salutation: Dear Commanding General), and
• Military Commander Colonel James H. Jenkins III; Headquarters, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade; Building 10053, Battalion Avenue; Fort Hood, TX 76544-5068; USA

before 05 October.

Send copies to your local diplomatic mission for the US, as well as to Travis's lawyer
Travis Bishop’s lawyer

• James M. Branum; 3334 W. Main St., PMB #412; Norman, OK 73072; USA

My letter is below.

Lieutenant General Rick Lynch
Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA

Commanding General
III Corps HQ
1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave.
Bldg. 1001, Room W105
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5005
USA


Dear Commanding General,

RE: Travis Bishop

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident and a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I wish to draw your attention to the fact that Amnesty International considers Travis Bishop to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for his conscientious objection to participate in war.

I understand that Bishop went absent without leave, however he did so to complete an application for conscientious objector status and seek legal advice, thereafter returning to his unit to submit the application.

I strongly urge the authorities to release Travis Bishop immediately and unconditionally.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,


Ole Koksvik