#COday2022
On the occasion of the International Conscientious Objection Day, commemorated on May 15th, IFOR members are engaging in several initiatives addressing the topic of the right to conscientious objection to military service.
We invite everyone everywhere to celebrate #COday2022 taking action on conscientious objection and showing solidarity to all the conscientious objectors worldwide.
Join the IFOR CO MARATHON!
THE RIGHT TO CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION TO MILITARY SERVICE IS A HUMAN RIGHT!
Some history
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International Conscientious Objectors' Day was first observed in 1982 by West European objectors to compulsory military service, as a focus both of campaigning for the right of objection to be established where it was lacking, and of support for objectors everywhere. The date 15th May was chosen simply because it happened to be mutually convenient in 1982 but was retained for renewed activity in 1983 and 1984. Then in 1985 it was formally adopted by the European Bureau of Conscientious Objectors and soon received worldwide recognition – being adopted by War Resisters' International – and changed from being European Conscientious Objectors' Day to International Conscientious Objectors' Day.
-Reproduced from Housmans Peace Diary, 2020-
SUPPORT CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS WORLDWIDE!
CAMPAIGN FOR THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO KILL AND RAISE AWARENESS!
You are welcome to use and spread thematic materials on the occasion of the CO international day:
MAY 12th
- FOR USA, during its weekly online gathering “FOR Building Community and Sharing Hope” welcomes a contribution on conscientious objection by Zaira Zafarana, IFOR CO project manager, at 4pm EDT.
MAY 13th
SweFOR, during its weekly "FREDagshälsning - Shalom" live on Facebook, hosts the testimony of its member Joshua Armfeild, former soldier who left the army to become a pacifist, at 3 pm CEST. More info are available here.
"From Christian pacifism to interreligious non-violence: the commitment of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation from 1914 to today", lecture by Christian Renoux, member of the national committee of MIR France and of the International Committee of IFOR, at the Maison des Bretchs in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon at 6pm CEST. The event is part of the Cycle Pacifisme, organised by the Lieu de Mémoire. More info are available here.
MAY 14th
- Torino local group of MIR Italy offers a thematic Torino Peace Trail on conscientious objection starting in Castle Square at Noon CEST.
MAY 15th
- Leicester international conscientious objectors' day online ceremony, with the participation of IFOR CO project coordinator Z. Z., at 7 pm UK. More info are available here.
MAY 16th
- MIR Italy organizes a thematic webinar on conscientious objection with the participation of Z. Z., IFOR CO project manager, at 6pm CEST. The webinar commemorates as well the 50th anniversary of the Italian law on conscientious objection, at 6 pm CEST. More info are available here.
MAY 27TH
-EBCO, IFOR and WRI organize the online event "Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine" at 5pm CEST. During the event, the EBCO 2021 report will also be presented. More info is available here, and here.
JUNE 4TH
-Conference on Conscientious Objection to military service and civil service organized on the occasion of the Rome Eirene-Fest organized by a board of publishers and civil society organisations, including MIR Italy. IFOR coordinator of CO project will give a presentation on the right to conscientious objection to military service today in the world, including first hand testimony of some objectors.
"page under constant update"