IFOR at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council: "immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned conscientious objectors"

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR has delivered an oral statement on conscientious objection to military service at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief which was held on March 4th 2021.

The statement, delivered by the Main representative of IFOR at the UN Z. Zafarana, refers to the need of immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned conscientious objectors.
You can download the original version of the statement here.

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Human Rights Council, 46th Session

Geneva, 4th March 2021 

Item 2: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief 

Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Madam President,

IFOR thanks the Special Rapporteur for his thematic report[1].

The right to Conscientious objection to military service is inherent to the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. 

However, conscientious objectors continue to be imprisoned in various countries, such as Turkmenistan[2], Singapore[3], Eritrea[4], Tajikistan[5], Israel[6], for instance, and this constitutes a violation of international human rights law.

We encourage and support the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in his long-standing efforts for the immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned conscientious objectors.

IFOR urges the respect of international standards for the exercise of the right to conscientious objection.

In Colombia, for instance, the competence to recognise the right to conscientious objection lies with the same authority that carries out military recruitment, which denotes a lack of objectivity and impartiality that delegitimizes its exercise through a process that prioritises evidence over substance. This procedural treatment generates gaps of inequality and discrimination between those who can provide evidence backed by an ecclesiastical authority and those who do not have this possibility. An example is given by the response[7] to the conscientious objector Sergio Sáenz[8], who based his declaration on non-religious beliefs.

Thank you.

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1. Report on Countering Islamophobia/Anti-Muslim Hatred to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomReligion/Pages/HatredAndDiscrimination.aspx.

2. https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2025552.html.

3. https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/singapore/jehovahs-witnesses-in-prison/.

4. ttps://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspxNewsID=26439&LangID=E.

5. https://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2629.

6. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-conscientious-objector-released-from-militaryprison/.

7. Response to File No. 531228 dated 26 January 2021. “A través del cual le exigen (i) número de resolución de la entidad emitida por el Ministerio del Interior. (ii) certificado de existencia y representación de la Institución a la que pertenece; (iii) certificado de vinculación del líder religioso que emite certificación, (iv) no se indica fecha ni certificados de sacramentos recibidos en el marco de la religión católica;  (v) sede donde regularmente se congrega, actividades específicas que realiza, horarios, programa de estudios, (vi) números telefónicos de feligreses que indiquen bajo la gravedad de juramento que han sido testigos de sus actividades religiosas (iv)  demás documentos y elementos de prueba (fotos, videos etc..) que acrediten la sinceridad de sus convicciones; es decir, que sean claras, profundas, fijas y sinceras en que fundamenta su solicitud.”

8. His request was not processed because he had to belong to a legally constituted church that would certify it, and he had to have the testimony of two or more members of the congregation who, under oath, would certify his status as a conscientious objector within the church."

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You can watch here the UN interactive dialogue referred to above. IFOR statement is at 02:04:17 [insert the hyperlink http://webtv.un.org/.../id-sr-on-religion.../6237146868001

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IFOR has recently submitted a report on the issue of conscientious objection in Singapore for the 38th UN UPR. You can find it here.

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IFOR follows closely the issue of conscientious objection in Colombia and collaborates with ACOOC - Colombian Collective Action of Conscientious Objectors.

ACOOC works in the field of accompaniment of conscientious objectors; it supports conscientious objectors in their struggle against discrimination and to achieve recognition by the Colombian government, advises young people who are victims of illegal recruitment practices by the military and is working towards the full implementation of the right to conscientious objection by the Colombian government.

IFOR joins in a call to the UN member States to "MOVE THE MONEY OUT OF MILITARY, TO FOOD"

IFOR co-sponsored, together with other 13 NGOs, an oral statement on the Right to Food which was delivered by Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII during the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The statement refers as well to the last encyclical of Pope Francis "Fratelli tutti" ("All brothers"), on Fraternity and Social Friendship, and reinforces the call to

"convert the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures in a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favour development in the most impoverished countries".

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46th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, 22 February – 23 March 2021

Item 3: ID with Special Rapporteur on the right to food

Joint oral statement delivered by: Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23)

Check against delivery

Madam President,

APG23 and 14 co-signing NGOs welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food in which he highlights the issues that will inform his future thematic reports.1

According to the UN Policy Brief on the Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Nutrition from June 2020 “Prior to the onset of this pandemic, more than 820 million people were already identified as chronically food insecure.” 2 We expect that the pandemic will push more children and adults into food insecurity and hunger around the world, undermining the efforts to achieve SDG2 and, more worryingly, increasing malnutrition-related deaths.

In his speech for the last World Food Day in October 2020, Pope Francis remarked: “Hunger is not only a tragedy for humanity, but also a shame. It is caused largely by an unequal distribution of the fruits of the earth, compounded by a lack of investment in the agricultural sector, the consequences of climate change and the increase in conflicts in various areas of the planet.”3

In view of the incoming Food Systems Summit, we hope that the discussion on food systems will focus on putting human rights at their core, addressing inequalities, promoting accountability and ensuring that markets serve social needs above profits.

We concur with the proposal of Pope Francis in the last encyclical “On Fraternity and Social Friendship” to convert the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures in a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favour development in the most impoverished countries.

In this regard, we urge the Member States to make concrete actions that are needed now more than ever. The future of the next generations is in our hands, we must do our part. Thank you!

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1. A/HRC/46/33

2. The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Nutrition

3. MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE WORLD FOOD DAY 2020

• You can download the original statement here.

• You can watch the related UN session here.

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Fratelli tutti (All Brothers) is the third encyclical of Pope Francis , subtitled "on fraternity and social friendship". In the document, Francis states that the way theCOVID-19 pandemic was managed by world countries has shown a failure in global cooperation. The encyclical calls for more human fraternity and solidarity, and is a plea to reject wars.

The document was signed on October 3rd 2020, on the occasion of Pope Francis's visit to the tomb of his namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi, and was published the following day on the saint's feast day. You can download the encyclical here.

IFOR takes the floor at 46th UN HRC during the general debate with the High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet

IFOR is currently participating in the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council which is in remote modality due to the pandemic. Today program of work included the general debate with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and following the States representatives, NGOs with Consultative Status have been able to take the floor.

IFOR referred to some concerning local situations such as Colombia, Eritrea and Western Sahara and then addressed the issues of criminalization of solidarity and nuclear disarmament

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Human Rights Council, 46th Session

Geneva, 26th February 2021 

Item 2: General Debate

Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Madam High Commissioner,

IFOR thanks you and your office for the reports.

We are particularly concerned by the situation in Eritrea and in the region and by the lack of collaboration as also highlighted, yesterday, by the new Special Rapporteur[1] and share a deep concern for the risk and danger faced by young people who refuse to serve in the National Service.

We welcome the recommendations which have been listed in your report on Colombia[2] and highlight the importance to guarantee a comprehensive intervention by the State to reduce the violence and not just an increase in the military presence.

 We are alarmed by the increasing cases of criminalization of solidarity[3] with individual cases of people being charged with aiding and abetting illegal immigration because they provide first assistance to migrants or rescue them, whether at sea, in the mountains or in the middle of forests.

 Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa[4], continues to be a pending decolonization case. International Law needs to be implemented.

IFOR restate the call made a few months ago “on the governments in the region and around the world to contribute to a peaceful  solution of the conflict and the implementation of the fundamental rights of the Saharawi people”[5].

We would like to conclude with a positive note: nuclear weapons are finally banned!

We welcome the enter into force of the UN Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW)[6], on January 22nd 2021[7].

Thank you.

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1. Oral update of Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, at the 46th HRC on February 24th 2021. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26795&LangID=E

2. A/HRC/46/76.

3. In 2019 the Red Cross EU Office released a statement regarding the soaring of the criminalisation of solidarity in Europe. https://redcross.eu/latest-news/the-eu-must-stop-the-criminalisation-of-solidarity-with-migrants-and-refugees 

   Some recent individual cases:
   Gian Andrea Franchi and Lorena Fornasir: https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/si-preso-cura-dei-migranti-sotto-accusa-nonno-andrea

   Carola Rackete: https://theconversation.com/sea-watch-3-captain-arrested-eu-complicit-in-criminalising-search-and-rescue-in-the-mediterranean-119670

   Sean Binder and Anouk Van Gestel: https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/criminalisation-of-solidarity-how-to-protect-the-right-to-help-migrants-and-refugees/

4. It is on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories since 1963.

5. IFOR has released a statement on the situation in Western Sahara on November 13th 2020 http://www.ifor.org/news/2020/11/13/ifor-statement-on-the-current-situation-in-western-sahara. Another one was released on December 14th 2020 http://www.ifor.org/news/2020/12/14/smlf3m85b4eq2r7kexpxd76zzgvoi5.

6. https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/tpnw/

7. https://www.icanw.org/tpnw_enters_into_force

• You can download the original statement here.

• You can watch the recording of the session here. IFOR statements is at 00:46:36.

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IFOR has released a public statement regarding Western Sahara on November 13th 2020, the day before the truce was broken in the region. You can read the original statement here.

A second statement has been published December 14th 2020 on the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and on the primacy of fundamental rights and international law. You can read the original statement here.

IFOR has a long standing engagement for nuclear disarmament and on January 22nd 2021 has organized a new Day of Action to join activists worldwide to celebrate the entering into force of the UN nuclear ban Treaty adopted on July 7th 2017 by the UN General Assembly. The Treaty reached its 50th ratification on October 24th 2020, International UN Day.

You can watch here, the video message of the president of IFOR which has been released for the occasion.

You can read more about the Day of Action here and discover some actions from IFOR members published on our Facebook page.

CELEBRATE THE NUCLEAR BAN and continue to MAKE PEACE THE NEW NORMAL

Get active on January 22nd 2021 – everywhere!

“Es la hora de CELEBRAR LA PROHIBICIÓN NUCLEAR y seguir HACIENDO DE LA PAZ LA NUEVA NORMALIDAD” haz aquí para ver la versión en español

“Célébrer l'INTERDICTION DES ARMES NUCLEAIRESet continuer à FAIRE LA PAIX DU NOUVEAU NORMAL” cliquez ici.

Check out the facebook event here!!!

After the first call which launched #MPNN and highlighted the need for #compassion, #accountability and #change, we are now to call everyone to action for nuclear disarmament, to contribute to peace and justice, thus to #JustPeace.

On January 22nd we join worldwide celebrations for the entering into force of the UN nuclear ban Treaty which states that nuclear weapons, not only are immoral, but also unlawful according to international law.

We now invite everyone to join a new IFOR Global Day of Action on January 22nd 2021

About the Day of Action

The new Day of Action will celebrate the entering into force of the UN nuclear ban Treaty adopted on July 7th 2017 by the UN General Assembly. It reached its 50th ratification on October 24th 2020, International UN Day. Through actions big and small, we aim to raise awareness about nuclear disarmament and the many issues linked to it such as nuclear investment, nuclear waste, nuclear tests, production, nuclear weapons stationing, nuclear pending threat, humanitarian risks and environmental risks and damages.

We invite everyone, everywhere, to RING A BELL FOR PEACE AT NOON! Click here to read more about it and download the pdf version!!

We will publish thematic posts and also display on Facebook a video message by IFOR president at 12 am CET, together with the video “If you love this planet” by ICAN.

Whether you are in lockdown, moving about and physically distancing, there are things you can do and plan to do in the near future during this year.

We invite everyone to engage at any or all of following levels:

§ COMMUNITY ACTION: Share solidarity to victims of environmental disasters due to nuclear resources exploitation, testing and waste.

§ SPIRITUAL ACTION: Provide a point of spiritual focus and reflection.

§ POLITICAL ACTION: Engage politicians, policy makers and public opinion leaders and authorities about the need for disarmament; thank those who ratified the Treaty and call on those who didn’t yet. Call on City and Regional Councils to pass resolutions supporting the TPNW.

Please decide on the types of activity you intend to carry out. A list of activities is available on the IFOR website to spark your imagination. Click here to read or download the list.

One common theme is the need to make people aware that we are taking action. On social media, we will connect our efforts by using the hashtag #MPNN and #JustPeace.

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Ways to join the Day of Action

• Take action on social media, share on Jan 22nd the SAVE THE DATE IMAGE, RING THE BELL or take different actions!!! also via Email with your networks. (Don’t forget to use the Hashtag #MPNN and #JustPeace and to tag IFOR (Fb @InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation) And don’t forget to act on the posting on IFOR Fb page and share them on your own pages.

• Join the peace world at noon and RING A BELL FOR PEACE and record it by video or picture and share it on social media and make sure to send to IFOR Fb page or by email to iskra.ramirez@ifor.org  Click here for more details on this action.

• Join IFOR president Lotta Sjöström Becker video message which will be broadcasted on IFOR’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation at 12 pm CET after the screening of “If You Love This Planet“ video by ICAN (or watch the video afterwards!)

• Support local initiatives regarding the entering into force of the UN Treaty and highlight issues such as 1. stop the money going into nuclear weapons, 2. end the political support and implement the Treaty, 3. environmental impact of nuclear weapons (production, testing, storage and use) and share the thematic graphics on social media, internet and by email. 

• Implement these actions in your community! (Don’t forget to share with us what you are doing by posting it under #MPNN #JustPeace and tagging IFOR, or sending it to iskra.ramirez@ifor.org)

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Highlight your initiatives

If you are doing something about nuclear disarmament and the entering into force of the UN Treaty, put it in the spotlight and make it known!

Post on social media! (Pictures, videos and short stories are all are great! Connect it to the larger movement by using the hashtag #MPNN and #JustPeace and tagging IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation

Download our official graphics for the Day of Action available on IFOR website.

Send in your pictures, stories, and short descriptions of your projects to IFOR Communications Assistant iskra.ramirez@ifor.org and GET FEATURED on the IFOR Facebook Page!

Got Questions or Ideas?

Please contact us at iskra.ramirez@ifor.org for support with your ideas and images!

IFOR Day of Action May 27th i

It’s Time to

MAKE PEACE THE NEW NORMAL

Get active on May 27th 2020 – everywhere!

Dear Friends and IFOR family,

As the pandemic began to make its way around the planet, several people from different branches within the International Fellowship of Reconciliation felt the need to check in on each other and find out how others were responding to new and old challenges within our collective work for peace.

As the conversations developed we realized that these challenging times provide an opportunity to create a lasting change that would make peace the “new normal” through:

• COMPASSION: Prioritizing the protection of poor and marginalized people.

• ACCOUNTABILITY: Protecting civil liberties and human rights.

• CHANGE: Using the momentum of this global crisis to shift resources to meet human needs and foster a culture of nonviolence and peace. 

We soon discovered that all wanted to do more than share ideas. We wanted to take a stand, support each other and speak for peace!

On May 19th, IFOR sent an open letter to Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, endorsing his call for a global ceasefire and urging the UN and its Member States to go further to protect human rights and build peace.

We now invite the entire fellowship to join a

Global Day of Action on May 27th 

About the Day of Action 

The Day of Action is titled “MAKE PEACE THE NEW NORMAL” and will highlight the need for compassion – accountability – change. Through actions big and small, we aim to raise awareness about the necessity to prioritize peace now and in the future.

Whether you are in lockdown,  moving about and physically distancing, or have yet to be impacted by COVID-19, there are things you can do.

We invite everyone to engage at any or all of following levels:

• COMMUNITY ACTION: Build community among those whose vulnerability is highlighted by the virus.

• SPIRITUAL ACTION: Provide a point of spiritual focus and reflection.

• POLITICAL ACTION: Engage politicians, policy makers and public opinion leaders and authorities about the need to make peace the “new normal”.

Please decide on the types of activity you intend to carry out. A list of activities is available at the end of this post. Scroll down.

One common theme is the need to make people aware that we are taking action. On social media, we will connect our efforts by using the hashtag #MPNN.

Ways to join the Day of Action

- Share THE OFFICIAL GRAPHIC [ LOGO CAMPAIGN, Facebook 1 and Facebook 2, Instagram 1 and Instagram 2, Twitter 1 and Twitter 2] on Social Media or via Email with your networks. (Don’t forget to use the Hashtag #MPNN and to tag IFOR (Fb @InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation)

- Download IFOR’s Open Letter to the UN Secretary-General and share it, or use it as an inspiration to write to your government.

- Join IFOR president Lotta Sjöström Becker for a live “Pause for Reflection” broadcast on IFOR’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation at 3 pm CEST (or watch the video afterwards!)

- Encourage supporters and volunteers to download and print the white event poster [PRINT THIS] or to handwrite their own – and take a selfie with it and post it, using the hashtag #MPNN

 - Implement these actions in your community! (Don’t forget to share with us what you are doing by posting it under #MPNN and tagging IFOR, or sending it to iskra.ramirez@ifor.org!)

Highlight your initiatives

If you are doing something within the scope of “Make Peace the New Normal” (#MPNN), put it in the spotlight and make it known!

Post on social media! (Pictures, videos and short stories are all are great! Connect it to the larger movement by using the hashtag #MPNN and tagging IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation!

Download our official graphics for the Day of Action available on IFOR website.

Send in your pictures, stories, and short descriptions of your projects to IFOR Communications Assistant iskra.ramirez@ifor.org and GET FEATURED on the IFOR Facebook Page!

Share what other IFOR members are doing 

On May 27th check the IFOR Facebook Page and the hashtag #MPNN to connect with what people around the globe are doing to support their communities and promote compassion, accountability and change worldwide!

Got Questions or Ideas? 

Please contact us at iskra.ramirez@ifor.org for support with your ideas and graphics!

Anthony, Denis, Emma, Kyoko, John, Light, Lucia, Mathew, Max, Nathaly, Pete, Richard, Susan, Veronica, Zaira

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List of activities: Download PDF here.

List of logos:

• Logo Campaign

• Logo Accountability

• Logo Change

• Logo Compassion

• Facebook 1

• Facebook 2

• Facebook Promocover

• Twitter 1

• Twitter 2

• Instagram 1

• Instagram 2

• Print this for selfie

IFOR OPEN LETTER TO THE U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL

Open letter to U.N. Secretary-General H. E. Mr. António Guterres and in copy to the U.N. General Assembly 

His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres
Secretary-General United Nations
Headquarters New York City 

19th May 2020 

Dear Mr. Secretary-General, 

We are writing to you as International Fellowship of Reconciliation, a global movement seeking to transform, through nonviolence, the world away from endless cycles of violence towards justice, rec- onciliation, and lasting peace. As a concerned international NGO, accredited to the UN ECOSOC, we are writing to you to express our appreciation for your efforts dealing with the current health crisis in the world and to share some of our thoughts with you at this difficult time. We join with you in recognizing "the fury of [COVID-19] illustrates the folly of war," and we thank you for your leadership in calling for a global ceasefire as a first step to “end the sickness of war”. We are encouraged that your call has resonated with millions across the world, and gained endorse- ments from 70 Member States, with expressions of acceptance from parties to conflict, and non-state actors as well. We call on all UN member States to support Your appeal, to the General Assembly and to the Security Council, and put it into practice. 

The pandemic has revealed the single common vulnerability of humankind, which knows no border. We who are but one of the species on the planet earth must shun our urge for identity superiority or risk even more devastating pandemics. With this shattered illusion of separateness, humanity cannot tolerate war and violence anywhere, as it threatens health and peace for everyone everywhere. Coun- tries are grappling internally with political, economic, racial, and social divides that exacerbate efforts to contain the virus, while inequity in the global community reveals the new depths of suffering in countries that already bear the brunt of the pain caused by climate change, hunger, economic sanctions and exploitation, and armed conflicts. 

While the impact of COVID-19 on the countries where we have active members has varied, together, we affirm the urgency for a new and creative way forward that builds human security globally through health, economic justice and peace. We therefore appeal: 

1. Prioritize the protection of poor and marginalized people. Economic inequality increases the impact of the pandemic and sets the stage for more devastation with the risk of even greater lethality. For instance, underinvestment in healthcare means many countries are unable to meet the simple challenge of providing personal protective equipment to those in 

need. Concentrated poverty means sheltering in isolation, and for women and children locked down with abusers, it promises new levels of violence, abuse, and death. 

2. Protect civil liberties and human rights. Emergency legislation rushed through in many countries may serve as cover for oppressive measures and the violation of human rights. Traditionally marginalized communities are forgotten or ignored, and vulnerable people are cut off from official support. We urge you, Mr. Secretary-General, to prioritize and support the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet to adapt the global index for human rights to ensure that it monitors abuses in a world now reshaped by COVID-19 legislation. We urge you to call on all member States for accountability. 

3. Use the momentum of this global crisis to shift resources to meet human needs and create lasting peace. Weapons of war cannot defeat a virus, address climate change, nor solve any other world problem. As States pursue ‘business as usual’ military strategies to contain the virus and create security, the world wastes opportunities to coalesce around creative responses that match the grave nature of this crisis, like protecting the most vulnerable from harsh economic impacts and working in solidarity to ensure global health emergency preparedness. These are the kinds of creative responses that lead to lasting peace. We call for disarmament and a major reduction in military spending worldwide, starting with the abolition of all nuclear weapons. We call for the conversion of military industry to civilian production and for the end of exports of weapons to states at war or violating human rights. Humanity will thrive with equitable local community investment and the shift from funding warfare to funding healthcare and peace. We urge the United Nations to invest more capacity and financial support in nonviolent conflict transformation, mediation and Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping. 

Now is the time to create a “new normal” built on a culture of peace and non-violence. We call for global bridge-building and cooperation, and global leadership encouraging increased global solidarity. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals recognize the interconnected reality of our world. With branches, groups, and affiliates in more than 40 countries, IFOR offers its support to UN agencies in achieving these goals. By highlighting the centrality of peace to a world free from poverty and inequalities, the SDGs challenge the world to put into practice a new way of thinking. Addressing the issues named above ensures that nations can create roadmaps out of COVID-19 that leave no one behind. 

We wish you well and further success in your work. 

Charlotte Sjöström Becker
President of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation

*The present Letter has been sent in cc to H. E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, current president of the U.N. General Assembly and to the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council.

For a downloadable version of this letter, click here.

MAY 15th, INTERNATIONAL CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION DAY

#CODay2020

#ConscientiousObjection has been at the core of IFOR original engagement for a culture of peace ever since 1914 and constitutes the roots of the fellowship together with nonviolence and reconciliation.

 #ObjectionDeConscience a été au cœur de l'engagement original de l'IFOR pour une culture de la paix depuis 1914 et constitue les racines de la fellowship avec la non-violence et la réconciliation.

#ObjeciónDeConciencia ha sido el núcleo del empeño original de IFOR por una cultura de paz desde 1914 y constituye las raíces de la fellowship junto con la nonviolencia y la reconciliación.

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The Right to Conscientious Objection is not yet recognized in all countries and wherever it is, its implementation is not always meeting international standards. There are therefore conscientious objectors whose rights are violated in different ways and countries’ situation to report about. It is vital to uphold conscientious objectors around the world and to promote the recognition and implementation of the right to conscientious objection.

One critical contribution that the International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR makes is that it maintains a permanent representation at the United Nations in Geneva which focuses primarily on conscientious objection to military service. IFOR is supported on this particular work by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and coordinates closely with War Resisters' International, the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva, the EBCO - European Bureau for Conscientious Objection and others.  

Here you can find a Q&A on conscientious objection to provide some general information on the subject and to encourage an ongoing conversation on this right and its implementation.  

Below you can find a list of video-testimonies from objectors, which are part of an online action organized by War Resisters’ International office, together with Connection e.V.:

“Refuse to Kill: Video collection for International Conscientious Objection Day”

· Armin Lauven, Pax Christi, Germany: Active for conscientious objectors and deserters worldwide - https://youtu.be/RlB9GzmYC10

· Beran İşçi, Turkey/Germany: My asylum case as conscientious objector is regarded as non-political - https://youtu.be/nNL0p4Bvxec

· Berndt Püschel and Heiko Marx, Germany: International Deserters’ Network goes to the Sky – https://youtu.be/_-oLsKVtnq

· Bob Meola, U.S.: Resistance to the draft to the Vietnam war was an ultimate stand to say No - https://youtu.be/PH0qBezU76M

· Connection e.V., Germany: Conscientious Objectors and Deserters Need Asylum - https://youtu.be/HNFWg9fY44I

· Dustin Hausner, U.S., New York: We need to support people who do not want to commit atrocities - https://youtu.be/fGICgtA5nmY

· Daniel Rezene, Eritrea/Switzerland: Recognize conscientious objection as a ground for asylum - https://youtu.be/LFcabVebPb8

· Deutsche Welle / +90, Turkey: Being a Conscientious Objector
- https://youtu.be/vLkw9hOf7zE

· EBCO in Peace House, Brussels, contributions from various countries: Spot on Conscientious Objection - https://youtu.be/WVw3aULFiqI

· EBCO/Movimento Nonviolento, contributions from various countries: Military Distancing Spot - https://youtu.be/SHdM6vFG3uU

· Emanuel Matondo, Angola/Germany: I knew that war is a crime and then I refused the military service - https://youtu.be/Ahz6Joruxz4

· Ercan Aktaş, Turkey/France: I came to France in October 2017 and never returned - https://youtu.be/KWX7KIMV0u4

· Gunter Schmidt, painter, Germany: I always wished, war was finally dead - https://youtu.be/gdY0mnM957w

· Halil Savda, Turkey/Cyprus: I dream of a nonviolent and free world
- https://youtu.be/t3OSFQwSjJ8

· Heinz Bartjes, Germany: Conscientious Objectors were seen as wimps and sissies - https://youtu.be/JWASZIL1SiU

· Helen Kidan, Eritrea/United Kingdom: People are fleeing indefinite military service in Eritrea - https://youtu.be/cyMK822yJxU

· Hüseyin Civan, Turkey: I reject conscription and war as an antimilitarist and anarchist - https://youtu.be/oTNzwCZgYMg

· IDK, Germany: Views on our work
- https://youtu.be/6ijTOVQ_Xb0

· La Tulpa, Colombia: The antimilitarist collective speaks about militarization and patriarchal society - https://youtu.be/xMz0o5Z9emw

· Lewis M. Randa, U.S.: Conscientious objection is a code word for love, for sanity, for being human - https://youtu.be/pbJ152U3nHY

· Marcela Paz and Rocio Elisabeth, Chile: We want a world without war, without borders and without violence - https://youtu.be/9YrDPsp9L-A

· Mertcan Güler and his Boss, Turkey/Germany: We both reject to go to army - https://youtu.be/GsaeZCmOo1g

· Merve Arkun, Turkey: Conscientious is an anti-war action for women and the rejection of male-dominated codes
- https://youtu.be/a_pm5cQ5tjg

· Nuri Silay, Cyprus: Wherever in the world we call everyone to refuse to be part of the military- https://youtu.be/YYVSN6lgCIY

· Pedro Polo, Spain: We are not soldiers, we are queers
- https://youtu.be/33E3qxawdmI

Links to conscientious objection initiatives which took place on #CODay2020:

• WRI and other organizations 
  https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2020/coday-2020-showing-solidarity-conscientious-objectors-everywhere 

• BEOC campaign #MilitaryDistancing 
  https://www.ebco-beoc.org/node/465  

• Peace Pledge Union initiative, together with FoR England and Scotland and others 
  https://www.ppu.org.uk/international-conscientious-objectors-day 

• Vicdani Ret Derneği, Turkish member of BEOC, (video subtitled in English) 
  https://vicdaniret.org/vr-der-savassiz-bir-dunya-hayal-etmeye-devam-ediyor-ve-herkesi-bu-hayali-gercek-kilmaya-cagiriyoruz/  

Additional thematic info:

• “The Men Who Said No” Peace Pledge Union's project. 
  https://menwhosaidno.org/men/names_intro.html 

• EBCO's annuale Report on conscientious objection. 
  https://ebco-beoc.org/sites/ebco-beoc.org/files/attachments/2020-02-14-EBCO%20_Annual_Report_2019.pdf

IFOR newsletter 2019, read through to download this years newsletter!

Dear IFOR community and friends,

It is with great joy that we present to you IFOR's newsletter September 2019. This is an issue comprised of news and updates sent in from different BGA's and UN representatives. This is a joint effort to better communicate and show the good work that is being done by different Branches, Affiliates, Groups and UN representatives around the world.

We are thankful to all the cooperated and sent in their news and updates.

We enclose the newsletter as PDF's in English, You can download it by clicking here.

You can also join the newsletter subscription by filing in your information here.

In Peace and all that is good,

The secretariat, IFOR

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Estimada comunidad y amigos de IFOR,

Con gran alegría les presentamos el boletín de IFOR de septiembre de 2019. Este es un tema compuesto por noticias y actualizaciones enviados por diferentes representantes de BGAs y de la ONU. Este es un esfuerzo conjunto para tratar de comunicarnos mejor y demostrar el buen trabajo que están haciendo las diferentes ramas, afiliados, grupos y representantes de la ONU al rededor de todo el mundo.

Agradecemos a todos los que cooperaron y enviaron sus noticias y actualizaciones.

Adjuntamos el boletín como PDF, puede descargarlo haciendo clic aquí.

También puede unirse a la suscripción al boletín informativo aquí.

En paz y todo lo bueno,

La secretaria, IFOR

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Chère communauté et amis d'IFOR,

C'est avec une grande joie que nous vous présentons la lettre d'information d'IFOR de septembre 2019. Il s'agit d'un numéro composé d'actualités et de mises à jour envoyées par différents représentants de BGA et de l'ONU. Il s’agit d’un effort commun visant à améliorer la communication et à montrer le bon travail accompli par différentes branches, filiales, groupes et représentants des Nations Unies à travers le monde.

Nous sommes reconnaissants à tous ceux qui ont coopéré et qui ont envoyé leurs nouvelles et mises à jour.

Nous joignons la lettre d’information au format PDF en français. Vous pouvez la télécharger en cliquant ici.

Vous pouvez également vous inscrire à la newsletter en remplissant vos informations ici.

En paix et tout ce qui est bon,

Le secretariat, IFOR