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Stop Prosecuting Hasan Rahvancıoğlu

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Stop Prosecuting Turkish Cypriot Conscientious Objector Hasan Rahvancıoğlu

24 November 2025

Connection e.V., the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO), International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) and War Resisters’ International (WRI) strongly condemn the prosecution of conscientious objector Hasan Rahvancıoğlu, whose trial is scheduled for 27 November 2025 before the Security Forces Court in the self-declared state of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This is a clear violation of the fundamental human right to conscientious objection to military service, and we call on the authorities in the "TRNC" to immediately dismiss all charges.

Hasan Rahvancıoğlu has peacefully and publicly declared his conscientious objection to military service. He has stated that he will not pay any fines imposed by the court, meaning he faces imprisonment simply for exercising his freedom of thought, conscience, and belief.

This prosecution blatantly contradicts international legal standards. The human right to conscientious objection to military service, which is inherent in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, is guaranteed under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).  In the landmark case of Murat Kanatlı v. Türkiye[1], the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has also affirmed that the right to conscientious objection is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

On the domestic level, the Constitutional Court and Military Court of Appeals in the “TRNC” have also recognised this right. Yet, in the absence of legislative reform, conscientious objectors continue to be criminalised.

As international human rights and peace organisations, we are deeply concerned by the ongoing prosecution of conscientious objectors in the “TRNC”, despite clear rulings from both domestic and international courts affirming their rights. The case of Hasan Rahvancıoğlu highlights the urgent need for legislative reform.

We call on the authorities in the "TRNC" urgently to amend the Military Service Act so as to recognise the right of conscientious objection to military service, including with regard to reservist service, and to implement the Kanatlı judgement by forthwith ceasing prosecution of conscientious objectors. Until a law is passed recognising the right to conscientious objection, individuals like Hasan Rahvancıoğlu remain at risk of unjust punishment and imprisonment.

We will closely monitor Hasan Rahvancıoğlu’s trial and continue to stand in solidarity with him and all conscientious objectors from Cyprus. Their struggle is a peaceful call for dignity, freedom, and justice.

Connection e.V.
European Bureau for Conscientious Objection
International Fellowship of Reconciliation

War Resisters’ International

[1] European Court of Human Rights, Murat Kanatlı v. Türkiye, Application no. 18382/15
Available at: HUDOC, https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-184213

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS please contact:

Murat Kanatlı, EBCO Board Member and Co-coordinator of the Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus (Kıbrıs’ta Vicdani Ret İnisiyatifi) (muratkanatli@gmail.com)

 

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IFOR at the 2025 UNESCO General Conference

FR en dessous, SP debajo, IT sopra

The 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference took place in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) from 30 October to 13 November. During this Conference, Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz (Egypt) was elected as the 12th Director-General of UNESCO to succeed to Mrs Azoulay.

During the General Policy Debate in plenary, Maria Antonietta Malleo, main representative of the IFOR gave the following speech:

Mr. President, Madam Director-General, Madam President of the Executive Board, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The IFOR was born in 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War by believers who refused to fight each other and worked together to reconcile Europe. Today we are continuing worldwide our commitment for truth, justice and reconciliation through active nonviolence. Also in Palestine, where a people forgotten by history is still suffering for the recognition of its right to self-determination, peace and co-existence.

In history, artists like Goya and Picasso have represented the violence of war as a death machinery, with soldiers as faceless dehumanized executors, in front of the suffering humanity of woman, children, victims which express the voice of conscience of ever, that always questions us.

It is impossible to say yes to war, looking at the real face of its dehumanizing effects.

We are very concerned about the normalization of war, of genocidal practices, the rejection of international law and of the role of UN, the increasing of military spending, the militarization of societies and schools.

One of our members and Nobel Laureates, Martin Luther King, Jr., said that “the choice is no longer between violence and nonviolence, but between nonviolence and nonexistence”.

Today this seems more true than ever. We need an extra-ordinary effort for a “disarmed and disarming peace” (Pope Leo XIV), for building non-violent lifestyles in our societies, facing the increasing polarizations and erosion of coexistence capacity, that foster confrontation and destroy dialogue and the diversity and complexity of social fabrics.

In 2023 the General Conference adopted the “Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, International Understanding”. Now, in this phase of new beginning of the organization, and in this unique context of the Silk Road, that produced encounter and civilization in human history, we affirm the urgency of a new shared commitment -of civil society and governments- for implementing culture of peace and nonviolence.

This, accomplishing especially for the young generations one of the most important educative objectives of the SDGs, the 4.7, and confirming the founding mission of UNESCO.

Giving voice to the daily work of all of us -mothers, fathers, educators, volunteers, state servants who love life, for building effectively alternatives to violence and the “peace in the mind of human beings”.

Thank you.

Maria Antonietta Malleo

IFOR à la 43e session de la Conférence générale de l’UNESCO

La 43e session de la Conférence générale de l'UNESCO s'est tenue à Samarcande (Ouzbékistan) du 30 octobre au 13 novembre. Au cours de cette conférence, Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz (Égypte) a été élu 12e directeur général de l'UNESCO, succédant ainsi à Mme Azoulay.

Au cours du débat de politique générale en séance plénière, Maria Antonietta Malleo, principale représentante de l'IFOR, a prononcé le discours suivant :

Monsieur le Président, Madame la Directrice générale, Madame la Présidente du Conseil exécutif, Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,

L'IFOR est née en 1914, au début de la Première Guerre mondiale, à l'initiative de croyants qui refusaient de se battre les uns contre les autres et qui ont œuvré ensemble pour réconcilier l'Europe. Aujourd'hui, nous poursuivons notre engagement en faveur de la vérité, de la justice et de la réconciliation à travers le monde par le biais de la non-violence active. C'est également le cas en Palestine, où un peuple oublié par l'histoire continue de lutter pour la reconnaissance de son droit à l'autodétermination, à la paix et à la coexistence.

Au cours de l'histoire, des artistes tels que Goya et Picasso ont représenté la violence de la guerre comme une machine à tuer, qui fonctionnent avec des soldats réduits au rôle d'exécutants déshumanisés et sans visage, face à l'humanité souffrante des femmes, des enfants, des victimes qui expriment la voix de la conscience de toujours, qui nous interpelle sans cesse.

Il est impossible de dire oui à la guerre, en regardant le visage réel de ses effets déshumanisants.

Nous sommes profondément préoccupés par la normalisation de la guerre, les pratiques génocidaires, le rejet du droit international et du rôle de l'ONU, l'augmentation des dépenses militaires et la militarisation des sociétés et des écoles. L'un de nos membres et lauréat du prix Nobel, Martin Luther King, Jr., a déclaré que « le choix n'est plus entre la violence et la non-violence, mais entre la non-violence et la non-existence ».

Aujourd'hui, cela semble plus vrai que jamais. Nous devons faire un effort extraordinaire pour instaurer une « paix désarmée et désarmant » (Pape Léon XIV), pour construire des modes de vie non-violents dans nos sociétés, face à la polarisation croissante et à l'érosion de la capacité de coexistence, qui encouragent la confrontation et détruisent le dialogue ainsi que la diversité et la complexité du tissu social.

En 2023, la Conférence générale a adopté la « Recommandation sur l'éducation pour la paix, les droits de l'homme et la compréhension internationale ». Aujourd'hui, dans cette phase de renouveau de l'organisation, et dans ce contexte unique de la Route de la soie, qui a favorisé les rencontres et le développement des civilisations dans l'histoire de l'humanité, nous affirmons l'urgence d'un nouvel engagement commun - de la société civile et des gouvernements - en faveur de la mise en œuvre d'une culture de paix et de non-violence.

Cela permettra notamment d'atteindre l'un des objectifs éducatifs les plus importants des ODD, le 4.7, en particulier pour les jeunes générations, et de confirmer la mission fondatrice de l'UNESCO.

Donner une voix au travail quotidien de nous tous - mères, pères, éducateurs, bénévoles, fonctionnaires qui aimons la vie - pour construire efficacement des alternatives à la violence et la « paix dans l'esprit des êtres humains ».

Merci.
Maria Antonietta Malleo

IFOR en la 43.ª sesión de la Conferencia General de la UNESCO

La 43.ª sesión de la Conferencia General de la UNESCO se celebró en Samarcanda (Uzbekistán) del 30 de octubre al 13 de noviembre. Durante esta conferencia, Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz (Egipto) fue elegido 12.º director general de la UNESCO, sucediendo así a la Sra. Azoulay.

Durante el debate de política general en sesión plenaria, Maria Antonietta Malleo, principal representante de la IFOR, pronunció el siguiente discurso:

Señor Presidente, Señora Directora General, Señora Presidenta del Consejo Ejecutivo, Excelencias, Señoras y Señores,

La IFOR nació en 1914, al comienzo de la Primera Guerra Mundial, por iniciativa de creyentes que se negaban a luchar unos contra otros y que trabajaron juntos para reconciliar a Europa. Hoy en día, seguimos comprometidos con la verdad, la justicia y la reconciliación en todo el mundo a través de la no violencia activa. Este es también el caso de Palestina, donde un pueblo olvidado por la historia sigue luchando por el reconocimiento de su derecho a la autodeterminación, la paz y la coexistencia.

A lo largo de la historia, artistas como Goya y Picasso han representado la violencia de la guerra como una máquina de matar, que funciona con soldados reducidos al papel de ejecutores deshumanizados y sin rostro, frente a la humanidad sufriente de mujeres, niños y víctimas que expresan la voz de la conciencia de siempre, que nos interpela sin cesar.

Es imposible decir sí a la guerra, mirando el rostro real de sus efectos deshumanizadores.

Nos preocupa profundamente la normalización de la guerra, las prácticas genocidas, el rechazo del derecho internacional y del papel de la ONU, el aumento del gasto militar y la militarización de las sociedades y las escuelas. Uno de nuestros miembros y premio Nobel, Martin Luther King, Jr., declaró que «la elección ya no es entre la violencia y la no violencia, sino entre la no violencia y la inexistencia».

Hoy en día, esto parece más cierto que nunca. Debemos hacer un esfuerzo extraordinario para instaurar una «paz desarmada y desarmante» (Papa León XIV), para construir modos de vida no violentos en nuestras sociedades, frente a la creciente polarización y la erosión de la capacidad de coexistencia, que fomentan la confrontación y destruyen el diálogo, así como la diversidad y la complejidad del tejido social.

En 2023, la Conferencia General aprobó la «Recomendación sobre la educación para la paz, los derechos humanos y el entendimiento internacional». Hoy, en esta fase de renovación de la organización, y en este contexto único de la Ruta de la Seda, que ha favorecido los encuentros y el desarrollo de las civilizaciones a lo largo de la historia de la humanidad, afirmamos la urgencia de un nuevo compromiso común —de la sociedad civil y los gobiernos— en favor de la implementación de una cultura de paz y no violencia.

Esto permitirá, en particular, alcanzar uno de los objetivos educativos más importantes de los ODS, el 4.7, especialmente para las generaciones jóvenes, y confirmar la misión fundacional de la UNESCO.

Dar voz al trabajo diario de todos nosotros —madres, padres, educadores, voluntarios, funcionarios públicos que amamos la vida— para construir de manera eficaz alternativas a la violencia y la «paz en la mente de los seres humanos».

Gracias.

Maria Antonietta Malleo

IFOR alla 43ª sessione della Conferenza Generale dell'UNESCO

La 43a sessione della Conferenza generale dell'UNESCO si è tenuta a Samarcanda (Uzbekistan) dal 30 ottobre al 13 novembre. Nel corso della conferenza, Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz (Egitto) è stato eletto 12° direttore generale dell'UNESCO, succedendo così alla signora Azoulay.

Durante il dibattito politico generale in seduta plenaria, Maria Antonietta Malleo, principale rappresentante dell'IFOR, ha pronunciato il seguente discorso:

Signor Presidente, Signora Direttrice Generale, Signora Presidente del Consiglio Esecutivo, Eccellenze, Signore e Signori,

L'IFOR è nata nel 1914, all'inizio della prima guerra mondiale, su iniziativa di credenti che rifiutavano di combattere gli uni contro gli altri e che hanno lavorato insieme per riconciliare l'Europa. Oggi continuiamo il nostro impegno a favore della verità, della giustizia e della riconciliazione in tutto il mondo attraverso la non violenza attiva. È il caso anche della Palestina, dove un popolo dimenticato dalla storia continua a lottare per il riconoscimento del proprio diritto all'autodeterminazione, alla pace e alla convivenza.

Nel corso della storia, artisti come Goya e Picasso hanno rappresentato la violenza della guerra come una macchina per uccidere, che funziona con soldati ridotti al ruolo di esecutori disumanizzati e senza volto, di fronte all'umanità sofferente di donne, bambini, vittime che esprimono la voce della coscienza di sempre, che ci interpella incessantemente.

È impossibile dire sì alla guerra, guardando il volto reale dei suoi effetti disumanizzanti.

Siamo profondamente preoccupati per la normalizzazione della guerra, le pratiche genocidarie, il rifiuto del diritto internazionale e del ruolo dell'ONU, l'aumento delle spese militari e la militarizzazione delle società e delle scuole. Uno dei nostri membri e vincitore del Premio Nobel, Martin Luther King, Jr., ha affermato che «la scelta non è più tra violenza e non violenza, ma tra non violenza e non esistenza».

Oggi questo sembra più vero che mai. Dobbiamo compiere uno sforzo straordinario per instaurare una «pace disarmata e disarmante» (Papa Leone XIV), per costruire stili di vita non violenti nelle nostre società, di fronte alla crescente polarizzazione e all'erosione della capacità di convivenza, che incoraggiano il confronto e distruggono il dialogo, la diversità e la complessità del tessuto sociale.

Nel 2023, la Conferenza Generale ha adottato la «Raccomandazione sull'educazione alla pace, ai diritti umani e alla comprensione internazionale». Oggi, in questa fase di rinnovamento dell'organizzazione e nel contesto unico della Via della Seta, che ha favorito gli incontri e lo sviluppo delle civiltà nella storia dell'umanità, affermiamo l'urgenza di un nuovo impegno comune - della società civile e dei governi - a favore dell'attuazione di una cultura di pace e non violenza.

Ciò consentirà in particolare di raggiungere uno degli obiettivi educativi più importanti degli SDG, il 4.7, soprattutto per le giovani generazioni, e di confermare la missione fondante dell'UNESCO.

Dare voce al lavoro quotidiano di tutti noi - madri, padri, educatori, volontari, funzionari pubblici che amano la vita - per costruire efficacemente alternative alla violenza e alla “pace nella mente degli esseri umani”.

Grazie.

Maria Antonietta Malleo

Maria Antonietta Malleo speaking at the plenary of the General policy debate during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand / Maria Antonietta Malleo s'exprimant lors de la séance plénière du débat de politique générale pendant la 43e session de la Conférence générale de l'UNESCO à Samarcande / Maria Antonietta Malleo interviene en la sesión plenaria del debate sobre política general durante la 43.ª sesión de la Conferencia General de la UNESCO en Samarcanda.

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A call to the UN for Gaza

 FR en dessous, SP debajo

On September 18th, IFOR members, aside members of the Palestinian NGO Network and of the global civil society, demonstrated outside the United Nations Headquarters to demand concrete action from the international body on ending the genocide of Palestinians.

They called on the U.N. General Assembly to

  • use Uniting for Peace resolution to bypass the Security Council veto 

  • deploy a multinational protection force to protect civilians, ensure the delivery of aid, preserve evidence of war crimes & facilitate reconstruction.

  • protect civilian efforts to deliver aid, such as the global sumud flotilla.

  • call for comprehensive sanctions & a full military embargo on Israel

  • reactivate anti-apartheid measures.

  • establish a war crimes tribunal to ensure accountability.

  • reject Israel's U.N. credentials (as was done with apartheid South Africa).

Un appel à l’ONU en faveur de Gaza

Le 18 septembre, des membres d'IFOR, aux côtés de membres du Réseau des ONG palestiniennes et d’autres organisations internationales de la société civile ont manifesté devant le siège des Nations unies pour exiger de l'organisation internationale qu'elle prenne des mesures concrètes pour mettre fin au génocide des Palestiniens.

Ils ont appelé l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies à

  • utiliser la résolution « Union pour le maintien de la Paix » (Résolution Acheson) pour contourner le veto du Conseil de sécurité

  • déployer une force multinationale de protection afin de protéger les civils, d'assurer l'acheminement de l'aide, de préserver les preuves des crimes de guerre et de faciliter la reconstruction.

  • protéger les efforts civils visant à acheminer l'aide, tels que la flottille internationale Sumud.

  • appeler à des sanctions globales et à un embargo militaire total sur Israël

  • réactiver les mesures anti-apartheid

  • créer un tribunal pour crimes de guerre afin de garantir la responsabilité

  • rejeter les lettres de créance d'Israël auprès des Nations unies (comme cela a été fait avec l'Afrique du Sud de l'Apartheid).

 

Un llamamiento a la ONU en favor de Gaza

 

El 18 de septiembre, miembros de la IFOR, junto con miembros de la Red de ONG Palestinas y de la sociedad civil global, se manifestaron frente a la sede de las Naciones Unidas para exigir medidas concretas por parte del organismo internacional para poner fin al genocidio de los palestinos.

Pidieron a la Asamblea General de la ONU que

  • utilizara la resolución «Unión pro paz » para eludir el veto del Consejo de Seguridad

  • desplegara una fuerza multinacional de protección para proteger a los civiles, garantizar la entrega de ayuda, preservar las pruebas de crímenes de guerra y facilitar la reconstrucción.

  • protegió los esfuerzos civiles para entregar ayuda, como la flotilla global sumud.

  • pedir sanciones exhaustivas y un embargo militar total sobre Israel

  • reactivar las medidas contra el apartheid.

  • establecer un tribunal de crímenes de guerra para garantizar la rendición de cuentas.

  • rechazar las credenciales de Israel ante la ONU (como se hizo con el apartheid en Sudáfrica).

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European IFOR branches write to Mark Rutte about NATO

 19th May 2025 

 To Mr. Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO,

and Government Leaders of 32 Allies and Partner Countries 

Dear Secretary General, and Government Leaders, 

We write to you ahead of the NATO summit hosted by the Netherlands from 24-25 June 2025. We wish to draw your attention to our concerns and invite your response. 

From 9 - 11th May 2025 members of European branches of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (1) , one of the oldest peace organisations worldwide, gathered in Cardiff, Wales. During this time we reflected on the increasingly violent world we live in and the proposed answers to instabilities and insecurities. 

We recognise that we live in a fragile world. Our common home faces multiple challenges including insecurity, increasing inequality and climate degradation. We heard a powerful presentation from young people about the importance of tackling systemic poverty if we want to build a world of peace. By the end of our time we recognised that we each bear a heavy burden of responsibility to current and future generations to ensure we solve these interconnected crises in ways which enable humanity and our planet. 

We are concerned by conversations which focus solely on territorial security and on ‘solutions’ which involve physical force, competition and instilling a climate of fear and ‘deterrence‘. We urge NATO-allied government leaders to consider that broader aspects of human security, including the very real climate crisis and its effects locally and globally, inequality and poverty, cyber security and the threat of pandemics are not profiting from a military approach. These existential threats cannot be solved but are instead accelerated by guns and arms. Plus there is significant evidence emerging of ongoing environmental and social harm as ‘side-effects’ of military spending. We instead call for international dialogue and cooperation as well as investments into protecting the planet, peace, prevention and resolution of conflicts. 

While you meet in your conference there will be a counter summit made up of many different civil society organisations. This demonstrates a broader wish to engage in shared conversations on human security. We request that government leaders give civil society, and in particular peacebuilding organisations, a meaningful role in planning for longer-term human security, rather than limiting it to unsustainable military allyship. When considering what parts of civil society we 

ask you to centre young people’s voice as they are the ones whose lives, prospects and mental health is most impacted by a pervading sense of fear and hopelessness for the future. 

Finally we want to emphasise our increased concern about the fact that to this day the possession of Nuclear Weapons remains an integral part of your military strategy. As showcased at the conferences on the ‘Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons‘ (2) and in several publications the fallout of even a ‘small-scale‘ nuclear attack or war would be devastating for all of humanity. Development, renewal, and security strategies relying on the use of nuclear weapons do not lead to increased global security but indeed make the unthinkable possibility of the use of nuclear weapons ever more probable. At least 94 countries worldwide have now signed and 73 have ratified the United Nations’ Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), making these weapons not only unethical, but illegal. We call for an end to the nuclear arms race and for our respective countries to sign and ratify the above treaty, committing to nuclear disarmament and taking on responsibility for dealing with the consequences of nuclear testing and bombings in the past. 

We have met as a network in times of war and in times of peace over the last century. We meet convinced that nonviolence and peace are vital to a flourishing world. We urge you to broaden your conversation so that we may all play our part in building a world safe for all. 

Yours Sincerely 

Lucia Hämmerle, FoR Austria

Jane Harries, Cymdeithas y Cymod (Wales)

Geesje Werkman, Kerk en Vrede (Netherlands)

Christian Renoux, MIR France

John Cooper, FoR England and Scotland

Richard Bickle, FoR England and Scotland

Herman Hallonsten, SWEFOR (Sweden)

Ida Eriksson, SWEFOR (Sweden)

Volker Grotefeld, FoR Germany 

Supported by

Internationaler Versöhnungsbund -österreichischer Zweig (Austria)

Internationaler Versöhnungsbund - Deutschland (Germany)

Kerk en Vrede Netherlands Mouvement international de la Réconciliation—France

Movimento Internazionale della Riconciliazione—Italy 

And 

Henk Baars, Kerk en Vrede (Netherlands)

Lotta Becker, Director, SWEFOR (Sweden)

Sian Evans, Coordinator, Cymdeithas y Cymod (Wales)

Michel Monod, Switzerland

Jonathan Sisson, Swiss Fellowship of Reconciliation (MIR–Suisse)

Peter Cousins, Trustee, FoR England and Scotland

Gyula I. Simonyi, President, BOCS Civilization Planning Foundation (Hungary)

(1) The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) was founded over a century ago in response to the horrors of war in Europe. IFOR now has branches in over 40 countries across the world. Its members share a conviction that conflicts can only be resolved, and sustainable peace achieved through nonviolent means, where systems that foster fear and hatred are dismantled, and where justice and equality are sought as a basis for peace.

(2) Oslo 2013, Nayarit 2014, Vienna 2014 & 2022 

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EBCO's Report on “Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe - 2024”

A Call to Safeguard the Right to Refuse to Kill and Resist Wars 

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) announces the publication of its Annual Report “Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe - 2024”

Each year, EBCO publishes its Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe, drawing on contributions from national governments, human rights institutions, NGOs, and solidarity networks. The report is presented to the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly and Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, and relevant state authorities - each time accompanied by a set of targeted recommendations.

Conscientious objection to military service is a fundamental human right which must be protected. It is inherent in the human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, stated in art. 18 of the Human Rights Declaration, in art. 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), in art. 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union - and, as defined by the European Youth Forum and the UN 75 Human Rights Declaration, is a youth right. 

This 2024 report presents the situation of the conscientious objection in 49 European countries and analyses the developments in international bodies and jurisprudence.

Its specially documents persistent violations of conscientious objectors' rights - particularly in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Türkiye, Cyprus and Greece - and emerging threats to the right to conscientious objection under the Council of Europe framework. Notably, EBCO and its partners took legal action through a collective complaint to the European Committee of Social Rights regarding Greece, reflecting a broader push to enforce protections under the European Social Charter.

Releasing this report, EBCO reiterates that, while this report focuses on the Council of Europe region, its also stand in solidarity with all prisoners of conscience, nonviolent resisters to war and militarization around the world, including in Israel/Palestine, Myanmar, Sudan, Colombia and elsewhere that fall outside the geographical scope of this report.

Download the report

More information on the EBCO website

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IFOR joins the appeal to European institutions about conscientious objectors

EN FR ES

MAY 15TH 2025, INTERNATIONAL CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION DAY

MAY 15TH 2025, INTERNATIONAL CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION DAY − Social media initiative

May 15th is International Day of Conscientious Objection to Military Service. Several organizations worldwide are planning initiatives to support this human right and to stand in solidarity with those who refuse to kill and engage in wars and are for this reason persecuted, criminalized and jailed.

The undersigned organizations −active also at the European level− address a specific appeal to the European institutions and Member States to protect and fully implement the right to conscientious objection to military service which is inherent in art. 18 of the Human Rights Declaration and art. 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
This right is stated also in several other international and regional human rights charters.

At the European level we recall, for instance:

  • Art. 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

  • Art. 10 of the European Union Charter;

  • Recommendation No. R (87) 8 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; [1]

  • Recommendation 1518 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; [2]

  • De Gucht Resolution of the European Parliament;

  • Rulings of the European Court of Human Rights that the right to conscientious objection to military service is protected under article 9 of the ECHR. [4]

We call on Europe to fully implement this human right and to protect those who object to military service in their own countries and that, because of persecutions, seek protection in European countries.

On 16 February 2023, in the resolution ‘One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine’, the EU Parliament demanded that Member States provide protection for conscientious objectors and deserters fleeing Belarus, Russia and occupied Ukraine. [5] However, this is not guaranteed in most Member States.

Europe has experienced the atrocities of war and should take a clear stand to protect those who object to war and effortlessly work for peace, to stop any war.

We recall as well the ongoing #ObjectWarCampaign calling for the protection of all those who refuse to engage in the war − particularly in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and the global initiative #RefuseWar to stand for peace and refuse war everywhere.

On the occasion of this year's May 15th International Day, we are launching a social media initiative focused on Europe to inform and raise awareness on the right to conscientious objection to military service.

We prepared posts and graphic materials with testimonies of conscientious objectors to military service from several countries such as Israel, Russia, Türkiye. The social media kit available here. We invite individuals and groups to join in and stand up for the right to refuse to kill!

Connection e.V. - connection-ev.org

European Bureau for Conscientious Objection - ebco-beoc.org

Pax Christi International - paxchristi.net

Quaker Council for European Affairs - qcea.org

Un ponte per - unponteper.org

War Resisters International - wri-irg.org

Joint by:

International Fellowship of Reconciliation – ifor.org

Mouvement international de la Réconciliation - France - mirfrance.org/MIR

ONAD - South Sudan - onadev.org

Internationaler Versöhnungsbund e.V. - FOR Germany - versoehnungsbund.de

[1] Council of Europe, Committee of Ministers, Recommendation No. R(87)8, 9 April 1987, para. 8. https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/coeministers/1987/en/88968
[2] Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, Recommendation 1518 (2001), para. 5.1. https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-EN.asp?fileid=16909&lang=en
[3] European Parliament, Resolution on respect for human rights in the European Community (annual report of the European Parliament), (Α3-0025/93), 11 March 1993, as it has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 115, on 26 of April 1993, para. 49 (p. 183).
[4] European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber Bayatyan v Armenia, application no. 23459/03 (20 July 2011).
[5] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0056_EN.html




15 MAI 2025, JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DE L'OBJECTION DE CONSCIENCE

Le 15 mai est la Journée internationale de l'objection de conscience au service militaire. Plusieurs organisations dans le monde prévoient des initiatives pour soutenir ce droit de l'homme et pour se solidariser avec ceux qui refusent de tuer et de s'engager dans des guerres et qui sont pour cette raison persécutés, criminalisés et emprisonnés.

Les organisations soussignées - actives également au niveau européen - adressent un appel spécifique aux institutions européennes et aux États membres pour qu'ils protègent et mettent pleinement en œuvre le droit à l'objection de conscience au service militaire qui est inhérent à l'article 18 de la Déclaration des droits de l'homme et l'art. 18 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (PIDCP) sur le droit à la liberté de pensée, de conscience et de religion. Ce droit est également énoncé dans plusieurs autres chartes internationales et régionales des droits de l'homme. Au niveau européen, nous rappelons, en particulier, ce qui suit :

  • l'art. 9 de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme et des libertés fondamentales ;

  • l'art. 10 de la Charte de l'Union européenne ;

  • la Recommandation n° R (87) 8 du Comité des Ministres du Conseil de l'Europe [1] ;

  • la Recommandation 1518 de l'Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l'Europe [2] ;

  • la Résolution De Gucht du Parlement européen [3] ;

  • les décisions de la Cour européenne des droits de l'homme selon lesquelles le droit à l'objection de conscience au service militaire est protégé par l'article 9 de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme [4].

Nous appelons l'Europe à mettre pleinement en œuvre ce droit de l'homme et à protéger ceux qui s'opposent au service militaire dans leur propre pays et qui, en raison de persécutions, cherchent une protection dans les pays européens.

Le 16 février 2023, dans la résolution « Un an après l'invasion russe et la guerre d'agression contre l'Ukraine », le Parlement européen a demandé aux États membres d'assurer la protection des objecteurs de conscience et des déserteurs fuyant la Biélorussie, la Russie et l'Ukraine occupée.5 Toutefois, cette protection n'est pas garantie dans la plupart des États membres.

L'Europe a connu les atrocités de la guerre et devrait prendre une position claire pour protéger ceux qui s'opposent à la guerre et travaillent sans effort pour la paix, pour arrêter toute guerre.

Nous rappelons également la campagne en cours #ObjectWarCampaign appelant à la protection de tous ceux qui refusent de s'engager dans la guerre - en particulier en Russie, en Biélorussie et en Ukraine et l'initiative mondiale #RefuseWar pour défendre la paix et refuser la guerre partout.

À l'occasion de la Journée internationale du 15 mai de cette année, nous lançons une initiative sur les médias sociaux centrée sur l'Europe pour informer et sensibiliser au droit à l'objection de conscience au service militaire.

Nous avons préparé des posts et du matériel graphique avec des témoignages d'objecteurs de conscience au service militaire de plusieurs pays tels qu'Israël, la Russie, la Turquie... [kit de médias sociaux disponible ici]. 

Nous invitons les individus et les groupes à se joindre à nous et à défendre le droit de refuser de tuer !

Connection e.V. - connection-ev.org

Bureau européen pour l'objection de conscience - www.ebco-beoc.org

Pax Christi International - www.paxchristi.net

Quaker Council for European Affairs - www.qcea.org

Un ponte per - www.unponteper.org

War Resisters International - www.wri-irg.org

Rejoints par :

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - www.ifor.org

Mouvement International de la Réconciliation - France - www.mirfrance.org/MIR

ONAD - Soudan du Sud - www.onadev.org

Internationaler Versöhnungsbund e.V. - FOR Allemagne - www.versoehnungsbund.de

[1] Council of Europe, Committee of Ministers, Recommendation No. R(87)8, 9 April 1987, para. 8. https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/coeministers/1987/en/88968

[2] Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, Recommendation 1518 (2001), para. 5.1. https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-EN.asp?fileid=16909&lang=en

[3] European Parliament, Resolution on respect for human rights in the European Community (annual report of the European Parliament), (Α3-0025/93), 11 March 1993, as it has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 115, on 26 of April 1993, para. 49 (p. 183).

[4] European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber Bayatyan v Armenia, application no. 23459/03 (20 July 2011). 5https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0056_EN.html



15 DE MAYO DE 2025, DÍA INTERNACIONAL DE LA OBJECIÓN DE CONCIENCIA

El 15 de mayo es el Día Internacional de la Objeción de Conciencia al Servicio Militar. Varias organizaciones de todo el mundo están planeando iniciativas para apoyar este derecho humano y solidarizarse con quienes se niegan a matar y a participar en las guerras y que son por ello perseguidos, criminalizados y encarcelados.

Las organizaciones abajo firmantes -activas también a nivel europeo- dirigen un llamamiento específico a las instituciones europeas y a los Estados miembros para que protejan y apliquen plenamente el derecho a la objeción de conciencia al servicio militar que es inherente al art. 18 de la Declaración de Derechos Humanos y en el art. 18 del Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos (PIDCP) sobre el derecho a la libertad de pensamiento, conciencia y religión.

Este derecho se recoge también en otras cartas internacionales y regionales de derechos humanos. En el ámbito europeo recordamos, por ejemplo

  • Art. 9 del Convenio Europeo para la Protección de los Derechos Humanos y de las Libertades Fundamentales;

  •  Art. 10 de la Carta de la Unión Europea;

  •  Recomendación nº R (87) 8 del Comité de Ministros del Consejo de Europa [1];

  • Recomendación 1518 de la Asamblea Parlamentaria del Consejo de Europa [2];

  • Resolución De Gucht del Parlamento Europeo [3];

  • Sentencias del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos según las cuales el derecho a la objeción de conciencia al servicio militar está protegido por el artículo 9 del CEDH [4].

  • Pedimos a Europa que aplique plenamente este derecho humano y que proteja a quienes objetan al servicio militar en sus propios países y que, debido a las persecuciones, buscan protección en países europeos.

El 16 de febrero de 2023, en la resolución «Un año de la invasión rusa y de la guerra de agresión contra Ucrania», el Parlamento de la UE exigió que los Estados miembros ofrecieran protección a los objetores de conciencia y desertores que huyen de Bielorrusia, Rusia y la Ucrania ocupada.5 Sin embargo, esto no está garantizado en la mayoría de los Estados miembros.

Europa ha experimentado las atrocidades de la guerra y debería adoptar una postura clara para proteger a quienes se oponen a la guerra y trabajan sin esfuerzo por la paz, para detener cualquier guerra.

Recordamos también la actual campaña #ObjectWarCampaign que pide la protección de todos aquellos que se niegan a participar en la guerra, especialmente en Rusia, Bielorrusia y Ucrania, y la iniciativa mundial #RefuseWar  para defender la paz y rechazar la guerra en todas partes.

Con motivo del Día Internacional del 15 de Mayo de este año, lanzamos una iniciativa en las redes sociales centrada en Europa para informar y sensibilizar sobre el derecho a la objeción de conciencia al servicio militar. Hemos preparado posts y material gráfico con testimonios de objetores de conciencia al servicio militar de varios países como Israel, Rusia, Türkiye. . .[kit de medios sociales disponible aquí]. Invitamos a individuos y grupos a unirse y ¡defender el derecho a negarse a matar! 14 de mayo de 2025

Connection e.V. - connection-ev.org

European Bureau for Conscientious Objection - www.ebco-beoc.org

Pax Christi Internacional - www.paxchristi.net

Quaker Council for European Affairs - www.qcea.org

Un ponte per - www.unponteper.org

War Resisters International - www.wri-irg.org

junto con:

Movimiento Internacional de Reconciliación - www.ifor.org

Mouvement International de la Réconciliation - Francia - www.mirfrance.org/MIR

ONAD - Sudán del Sur - www.onadev.org

Internationaler Versöhnungsbund e.V. - FOR Alemania - www.versoehnungsbund.de

[1] Council of Europe, Committee of Ministers, Recommendation No. R(87)8, 9 April 1987, para. 8. https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/coeministers/1987/en/88968

[2] Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, Recommendation 1518 (2001), para. 5.1. https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-EN.asp?fileid=16909&lang=en

[3] European Parliament, Resolution on respect for human rights in the European Community (annual report of the European Parliament), (Α3-0025/93), 11 March 1993, as it has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 115, on 26 of April 1993, para. 49 (p. 183).

[4] European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber Bayatyan v Armenia, application no. 23459/03 (20 July 2011). 5https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0056_EN.html

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IFOR submits a report for the UN UPR of Belarus

The International Centre for Civil Initiatives “Our House”, Conscience and Peace Tax International (CPTI), the Center on Conscience & War, the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO), the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), the Fellowship of Reconciliation USA (FOR USA), the Fellowship of Reconciliation Austria, MIR France, the International Peace Bureau (IPB), World BEYOND War, and War Resisters’ International, (WRI) jointly submit a report for the UN Universal Periodic Review of Belarus.

The report documents serious human rights violations in Belarus amid its hybrid involvement in the war in Ukraine — including the militarisation of children, systemic repression, and the erosion of civil liberties. It places particular focus on the persecution of conscientious objectors, deserters, draft evaders, human rights defenders, and anti-war activists, urging the UN to hold Belarus accountable for deepening authoritarian control and forced militarisation.

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Letter of Zoughbi Zoughbi, IFOR president, to the cardinal Parolin

April 25, 2025

Your Eminence

It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, and we give thanks to God for his life and witness.

The IFOR would like to express its admiration, and appreciation to his rich and blessed life. He was a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for just love, rich spirituality, and deep integrity. we have lost a prophetic voice in these bleak times of our world. 

During his pontificate, he showed himself to be an advocate of peace based on justice and non-violence. He has tirelessly appealed to heads of state and peoples to work for this peace. He has shown particular concern for the people of Gaza and Palestine. He made a personal commitment to end the war in the Central African Republic, with strong gestures during his trip to Bangui in 2015, but also in South Sudan during the meetings organized in Rome in February 2019 and during his trip to Juba in 2023. He also prayed for the martyred people of Ukraine and Burma, and for all the victims of war around the world.

We give thanks for his support for evangelical nonviolence, as expressed in his message of January 1st, 2017, “Nonviolence: style of a policy for peace”, and on the occasion of the two conferences organized on this theme at the Vatican in 2016 and 2018 by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Our interfaith movement has been very sensitive to the joint declaration on human brotherhood, which he signed on February 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, and to the many meetings he has had with leaders of various religious confessions. He took up and developed this theme of universal brotherhood in his encyclical Fratelli tutti in 2020.

We would also like to give thanks for his courageous and faithful defense of migrants and the poorest of the poor, which has marked his entire pontificate, since his visit and speech on the island of Lampedusa on July 8, 2013.

Likewise, the publication of his encyclical Laudato Si in 2015 raised awareness and encouraged the commitment of many Christians and men and women of good will to actively defend the environment.

It is our wish that Pope Francis' inspirations remain alive at the heart of the Catholic Church's action and prayer. We pray that God may send and embolden just and empathetic leaders to continue in this less travelled road of peace, nonviolence, and spirituality.

Yours respectfully

  Zoughbi Zoughbi

 IFOR   President

Pope Francis among cardinals in front on St Peter square (Photo C. Renoux)

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In Memory of Pope Francis

The international Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), one of the oldest standing and active interfaith peace movements in the world says it is with deep sorrow that we share with you the news of the passing of our beloved Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Francis.

The IFOR would like to express its admiration, and appreciation to the rich and blessed life of His Holiness Pope Francis. Pope Francis was a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for just love, rich spirituality, and deep integrity.

Zoughbi Zoughbi, the president of IFOR writes that we have lost a prophetic voice in these bleak times of our world.  His holiness was a great example of vivacious dialogue and a true messenger of peace, centering humanity and the vulnerable in contention. indeed, He has composed many encyclicals on nonviolence, justice and hope, and his call for peace, love, and humanity will echo still for generations to come.

We pray that God may send and embolden just and empathetic leaders to continue in this less travelled road of peace, nonviolence, and spirituality.

Le Mouvement international de la Réconciliation (IFOR), l'un des plus anciens des mouvements interreligieux pour la paix dans le monde, déclare que c'est avec une profonde tristesse que nous partageons avec vous la nouvelle du décès de notre Saint-Père bien-aimé, Sa Sainteté le Pape François.

L'IFOR souhaite exprimer son admiration et sa reconnaissance pour la vie riche et bénie de Sa Sainteté le Pape François. Le Pape François était un phare d'espoir et une source d'inspiration pour l'amour juste, la spiritualité riche et l'intégrité profonde.

Zoughbi Zoughbi, président de l'IFOR, écrit que nous avons perdu une voix prophétique en ces temps sombres de notre monde. Sa Sainteté était un grand exemple de dialogue vivace et un véritable messager de paix, centré sur l'humanité et les personnes vulnérables. En effet, il a composé de nombreuses encycliques sur la non-violence, la justice et l'espérance, et son appel à la paix, à l'amour et à l'humanité résonnera encore pour les générations à venir.

Nous prions pour que Dieu envoie et encourage des dirigeants justes et empathiques à poursuivre sur cette voie moins fréquentée de la paix, de la non-violence et de la spiritualité.

El Movimiento Internacional de Reconciliación (IFOR), uno de los movimientos interreligiosos por la paz más antiguos del mundo, comparte con ustedes con profundo dolor la noticia del fallecimiento de nuestro amado Santo Padre, Su Santidad el Papa Francisco.

La IFOR desea expresar su admiración y reconocimiento por la rica y bendecida vida de Su Santidad el Papa Francisco. El Papa Francisco fue un faro de esperanza y una fuente de inspiración para el amor justo, la rica espiritualidad y la profunda integridad.

Zoughbi Zoughbi, el presidente de IFOR escribe que hemos perdido una voz profética en estos tiempos sombríos de nuestro mundo. Su santidad fue un gran ejemplo de diálogo vivaz y un verdadero mensajero de paz, centrando la humanidad y los vulnerables en la contención. De hecho, compuso muchas encíclicas sobre la no violencia, la justicia y la esperanza, y su llamamiento a la paz, el amor y la humanidad resonará aún durante generaciones.

Rezamos para que Dios envíe y envalentone a líderes justos y empáticos para continuar en este camino menos transitado de paz, no violencia y espiritualidad.

Il Movimento Internazionale della Riconciliazione (IFOR), uno dei più antichi movimenti interreligiosi per la pace nel mondo, afferma che è con profondo dolore che condividiamo con voi la notizia della scomparsa del nostro amato Santo Padre, Sua Santità Papa Francesco.

L'IFOR desidera esprimere la propria ammirazione e il proprio apprezzamento per la vita ricca e benedetta di Sua Santità Papa Francesco. Papa Francesco è stato un faro di speranza e una fonte di ispirazione per l'amore giusto, la ricca spiritualità e la profonda integrità.

Zoughbi Zoughbi, presidente dell'IFOR, scrive che abbiamo perso una voce profetica in questi tempi cupi del nostro mondo. Sua Santità è stato un grande esempio di dialogo vivace e un vero messaggero di pace, che ha messo al centro della contesa l'umanità e i vulnerabili. Ha infatti composto molte encicliche sulla nonviolenza, la giustizia e la speranza, e il suo appello alla pace, all'amore e all'umanità riecheggerà ancora per le generazioni a venire.

Preghiamo che Dio possa inviare e incoraggiare leader giusti ed empatici a continuare su questa strada meno battuta della pace, della nonviolenza e della spiritualità.

Pope Francis receiving and greeting the participants of the second conference on nonviolence organized at the Vatican on September 2018 / Le pape François recevant et saluant les participants à la deuxième conférence sur la non-violence organisée au Vatican en septembre 2018 / El Papa Francisco recibiendo y saludando a los participantes en la segunda conferencia sobre la no violencia celebrada en el Vaticano en septiembre de 2018 / Papa Francesco riceve e saluta i partecipanti alla seconda conferenza sulla nonviolenza tenutasi in Vaticano nel settembre 2018. (Photo C. Renoux)

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Views from the DRCongo: Prospects for International Solidarity and Peace - Webinar on March 20th

The IFOR, in collaboration with the IPRA and with the support of the FOR US, is organizing a webinar on DRCongo: Views from the DRCongo: Prospects for International Solidarity and Peace.

The event will be held on Zoom at 3PM, New York time on Thursday, March 20th.  It will be in English with simultaneous interpretation services available for other languages.

Guest Speaker Biographies

Anny Tengamendite Modi is a co-founder and executive director of AFIA MAMA, an NGO focused on improving women's well-being and addressing issues such as stigma and discrimination faced by individuals living with HIV/AIDS, as well as survivors of gender-based violence. She is a feminist gender activist and expert in women's rights, justice, leadership, and development. She initiated a movement of young women leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the support of UN Women. Anny focuses on promoting young people's economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and advocating for young women's leadership development and political participation. Anny has received recognition for her work, including certificates of merit from UNFPA and the Katanga provincial government and the StrongLady2018 Award. Among her many projects, she leads a group of exceptional women in quarterly dialogues with the DRC head of state to prioritize gender equality on the national agenda.

Jean Pierre Massamba is originally from the Republic of Congo in Central Africa. Former Magistrate and retired Executive of a multinational oil company. Guarantor of the Code of Ethics and Anti-corruption Focal Point within the Congo subsidiary of the company Eni SpA. Arbitrator and Mediator in business law. Human rights trainer. Former Secretary General of the Action of Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT Congo). Member of the Board of Directors of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace in Pointe-Noire (Congo) and of the Board of Directors of the International Coordination for the Promotion of the Culture of Nonviolence and Peace. Coordinator of the Congolese Branch of IFOR (MIR Congo), Co-Vice-President of IFOR, Executive Director of the Africa Program of IFOR.

Evelyn Chihuguyu is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Kivu Province, city of Bukavu. She has a background in law and worked at the World Bank from 1998-2023. In 2015, she founded and became the President of Les Amis de Kamerhe (Friends of the Kamerhe) to support the fight for regime change and to end corruption as the majority of the population lived below the international poverty line despite the country’s vast mineral resources. In 2019, Evelyn founded and became the President of Kivu Rising, a non-profit organization engaging in social development and the alleviation of poverty in the rural areas in the Eastern Congo, which been suffering from the terrible consequences of war for nearly 3 decades. In 2023 she ran as a candidate for the position of National Deputy.

Moderator Bio

Matt Meyer is the author of numerous books on resistance and social change chiefly published by PM Press and Africa World Press. He is the Secretary General of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA), the Senior Research Scholar of the Resistance Studies Initiative, and a board member of the AJ Muste Foundation for Peace and Justice, and Waging Nonviolence. He is a member of the IFOR Africa Working Group and former co-chair of FOR-USA’s National Council.

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