Roy Prockter case going to the European Court of Human Rights
War tax resister to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights
A Quaker is to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) after being convicted of withholding income tax. Roy Prockter, of Clacton-on-Sea Meeting, has refused to hand over money that could be used for war. A judge last week refused him leave to appeal within English courts, but said he could appeal to the ECHR.
Roy told the court that the law grants all subjects the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. He explained that he is a Quaker and quoted Advices and Queries 31: ‘Do you faithfully maintain our testimony that war and the preparation for war are inconsistent with the spirit of Christ?’
The ECHR has previously thrown out a case brought by war tax resisters. But Roy maintains that the court’s understanding has since shifted. In July, the ECHR ruled for the first time that all people have the right to conscientious objection to membership of the armed forces. While Roy was waiting to be called into court one of the court staff noticed his white poppy and asked him where she could get one. He told the Friend: ‘I happened to have a few in my pocket and she was pleased when I gave her one of them.’
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