insumisos

   "Insumisos" is the name given to those who refuse to do both military service and prestación social sustitutoria (alternative community service). Conscientious objection to military service is recognized, but refusal to do the civilian alternative is a criminal offence, though lack of resources often means that in practice the law is not enforced. The new penal code of 1995 reduced the penalties for insumisión by making the refusal to do social service punishable by fine rather than imprisonment. The main consequence of insumisión, however, is disqualification from state employment for 10 to 14 years.

   EAMONN RODGERS