Human rights — Freedom of religion and beliefs — Conscientious objection — Defendant appealing rejection of application for discharge from Navy on ground of conscientious objection — Defendant charged under Section 12(1) of Armed Forces Act 2006 while appeal pending — Appeal refused — Court Martial convicting and sentencing defendant — Whether conviction in breach of Article 9 of European Convention on Human Rights, 1950 — Whether defendant entitled to protected status under Geneva Conventions — Whether sentence excessive

Relationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — European Convention on Human Rights, 1950, Article 9 — Geneva Conventions — United Kingdom domestic law — Armed Forces Act 2006 — Personnel, Legal, Administrative and General Orders 0801 — Guidance on Sentencing in the Court Martial — Domestic procedure for applications for discharge from Navy on ground of conscientious objection — Defendant convicted under Section 12(1) of Armed Forces Act 2006 — Whether conscientious objection a conviction or belief engaging Article 9 of European Convention — Striking balance between rights of individual and rights of others — Whether person conscripted or volunteering for service — Whether domestic procedure satisfying requirements of Article 9(2) of European Convention — Whether conviction and sentence appropriate — Whether United Kingdom defence policy unlawful

Treaties — Interpretation — European Convention on Human Rights, 1950, Article 9 — Conscientious objection — Whether conviction or belief engaging Article 9 of European Convention — Whether domestic procedure satisfying requirements of Article 9(2) of European Convention — Geneva Conventions — Protected status — Whether United Kingdom defence policy unlawful

War and armed conflict — Geneva Conventions — Protected status — Deployment training — Weapons training — Conscientious objection — Requirement to maintain military service and discipline pending resolution of applications for discharge on basis of conscientious objection — Whether United Kingdom defence policy unlawful — The law of England