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Conscientious Objection

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IFOR joins the appeal to European institutions about conscientious objectors

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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 meets with Peace Comunity reps in Geneva / IFOR rencontre les représentants de la Communauté de Paix à Genève / IFOR recibe a los representantes de la Comunidad de la Paz en Ginebra

#nonviolence #HumanRights #PeaceCommunity

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR had the privilege to welcome to its office in Geneva on Monday October 10th -at the Ecumenical Center- two representatives of the Comunidad de Paz San José de Apartadó.

The Peace Community is a great 25 yrs outstanding practice of nonviolent resistance in a highly violent context.

Accompanied by the former director of Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos, IFOR's guests presented the ongoing concerning situation that the Peace Community faces on a daily basis in #Colombia.

The meeting has been an opportunity for further planning on solidarity actions in continuity with IFOR supporting initiatives.

IFOR has also shared this visiting opportunity with other partner organizations in Geneva such as Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII.

IFOR's Main Representative, Zaira Zafarana, with the visiting guests of the CdP, Sayda Arteaga Guerra and Roviro Lopez Rivera and RIDHI Ramon Munoz in IFOR office.

Ecumenical Center in Geneva, headquarter of World Council of Churches, where the IFOR office is located in Geneva

IFOR's guests together with the Main representative of Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII at the UN.


#non-violence #droits de l'homme #communauté de paix
Le Mouvement International de la Réconciliation - MIR a eu le privilège d'accueillir dans ses bureaux à Genève le lundi 10 octobre - au Centre Oecuménique - deux représentants de la Comunidad de Paz San José de Apartadó.
Accompagnés de l'ancien directeur de Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos, les invités d'IFOR ont présenté la situation préoccupante à laquelle la Communauté de Paix doit faire face quotidiennement en Colombie.
La réunion a été l'occasion de planifier des actions de solidarité dans la continuité des initiatives soutenues par IFOR.
L'IFOR a également partagé cette opportunité de visite avec d'autres organisations partenaires à Genève, comme l'Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII.

Zaira Zafarana, représentante principale d'IFOR, avec les invités du CdP, Sayda Arteaga Guerra et Roviro Lopez Rivera et RIDHI Ramon Munoz dans les bureaux d'IFOR.

Centre oecuménique de Genève, siège du Conseil oecuménique des Eglises, où se trouve le bureau d'IFOR à Genève.

Les invités d'IFOR avec le représentant principal de l'Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII à l'ONU.


#noviolencia #DerechosHumanos #ComunidadDePaz
International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR tuvo el privilegio de recibir en su oficina de Ginebra el lunes 10 de octubre -en el Centro Ecuménico- a dos representantes de la Comunidad de Paz San José de Apartadó.
La Comunidad de Paz es una gran práctica de 25 años de resistencia no violenta en un contexto altamente violento.
Acompañados por el ex director de la Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos, los invitados de IFOR expusieron la preocupante situación que la Comunidad de Paz enfrenta cada día en #Colombia.
El encuentro ha sido una oportunidad para seguir planificando acciones de solidaridad en continuidad con las iniciativas de apoyo de IFOR.
IFOR también ha compartido esta oportunidad de visita con otras organizaciones asociadas en Ginebra como la Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII.

La Representante Principal de IFOR, Zaira Zafarana, con los invitados de la CdP, Sayda Arteaga Guerra y Roviro Lopez Rivera y RIDHI Ramon Munoz en la oficina de IFOR.

Centro Ecuménico de Ginebra, sede del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias, donde se encuentra la oficina de IFOR en Ginebra

Los invitados de IFOR junto con el representante principal de la Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII en la ONU.

Comment

IFOR briefs the UN Human Rights Committee on the right to conscientious objection in Russia.

Comment

IFOR briefs the UN Human Rights Committee on the right to conscientious objection in Russia.

On October 17th the International Fellowship of Reconciliation participated in the formal briefing at the 136th session of the UN Human Rights Committee.

During the ongoing session, after two postponements, the members of the Committee will review the Russian Federation and formulate Concluding Observations.

Members of the Civil Society have been invited to submit reports in advance and to participate in briefing meetings with the Committee to provide useful information.

IFOR took advantage of the 4 minutes speaking opportunity to report on illegal recruitment, cruel treatment of refusers to combat operations in Ukraine, human rights violations of those protesting against the war and other related issues.

Read the complete text of IFOR's statement here, with in-depth notes.

Comment

IFOR speaks at the UN on conscientious objection violations and peacebuilding efforts in Ukraine

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IFOR speaks at the UN on conscientious objection violations and peacebuilding efforts in Ukraine

During the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Director of Division of the OHCHR gave an oral update on the current situation in Ukraine during the interactive dialogue under item 10.

International Fellowship of Reconciliation participated in the dialogue in the plenary and addressed the violation of the right to conscientious objection to military service in Ukraine, freedom of movement and the alarming forced conscription in the occupied territory and the recent partial mobilization announced in the Russian federation.

IFOR Main representative to the UN, Zaira Zafarana, delivering the statement during the 51st session of the UN HUman Rights Council.

In its statement, IFOR has also expressed its solidarity to the victims and its support to all war resisters -calling for asylum for conscientious objectors who refuse to engage in the war at their personal risk and those who pursue nonviolent means to peace-building. The speech mentioned civil society peace initiatives to support local nonviolent action such as the Stop The War Now launched by Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII together with many other Italian NGOs, including MIR Italy - Italian branch of IFOR.


Human Rights Council, 51st Session 

4th October 2022 

ID Item 4: Oral update of the High Commissioner on Ukraine 

Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. 

Mr. President,  

International Fellowship of Reconciliation thanks the Office of the High Commissioner for the oral update. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are suffering for the ongoing war which is causing tragedies and violations and an inhumane nuclear threat. 

We stand in solidarity with those who courageously refuse to kill and call on the international community to ensure full legal guarantees of their human right to conscientious objection and to provide them protection and asylum1. The right to conscientious objection to military service should be absolutely protected and cannot be restricted, as highlighted in the last OHCHR quadrennial thematic report [presented at the last session].

We are alarmed by the current suspension of the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine, the consequent detention sentences and the travel ban for all men aged 18-60. We have been informed of repression of students protests against the prohibition to study abroad. 

IFOR is also deeply concerned by the forced mobilization in Ukrainian occupied territories and by the new mobilization measures issued by the Russian Federation, which include imprisonment for those who refuse to enlist.  

IFOR gives voice to all those who are non-violently resisting war and acknowledge the efforts of the many who support reconciliation and peace building efforts. For instance, Stop The War Now has just concluded its 4th peace caravan to Ukraine, bringing in humanitarian aid and also support to ongoing local civil society peace initiatives. 

UN Member States should urgently pursue the way to peace negotiations and facilitate such a path, which is within the United Nations purposes. 

Thank you. 


Click here to watch IFOR main representative to deliver the statement at the UN Human Rights Council.

Click here to read the full statement.

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International peace initiative to support nonviolent action in Ukraine

#STOPTHEWARNOW is a network of over 175 Italian organizations committed to peace building and international solidarity through non-violent peace and humanitarian actions. The network was created to launch a message of solidarity and opposition to the conflict in Ukraine and to build together an alternative to the madness of war. It is coordinated by a steering committee made up of the Pope John XXIII Community, Pro Civitate Christiana and the national networks Focsiv, Aoi, the Italian Peace and Disarmament Network, Libera against mafias, representing all the member associations. At the moment #STOPTHEWARNOW is in Ukraine with two permanent presences, one in Lviv and one in Odessa.
Between 1 and 3 April #STOPTHEWARNOW organized the 1st Peace Caravan, which set off from Italy with representatives of non-violent and pacifist civil society, to witness, through its presence in Lviv, Ukraine, the will to build a dialogue of peace through non-violent actions.
The 4th Peace Caravan was aimed to:
- Laying the foundations for partnership agreements between Italian members of the campaign #StopTheWarNow and Ukrainian civil society organizations (including trade unions) committed to Peace building, conscientious objection and non-violent resistance; possible youth exchanges with universities and Youth Centers;
- Relaunching the campaign of solidarity with conscientious objectors under investigation/protest by the General Prosecutor's Office in Ukraine, such as the journalist Ruslan Kotsaba, accused of high treason for spreading calls to boycott the war.

Learn more about Stop the war now.

-section under update-

Comment

IFOR calls on the UN to stop the war in Ukraine and restates that the right to conscientious objection cannot be restricted nor suspended.

Comment

IFOR calls on the UN to stop the war in Ukraine and restates that the right to conscientious objection cannot be restricted nor suspended.

Members of the Commission of Inquiry. President E. Mose, Ms. P. De Greiff and Madam j. Dzumhur.

On the occasion of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, as previously decided by the Members States (A/HRC/RES/49/1 and A/HRC/RES/S-34/1) the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression presented its oral update in the plenary.

After the presentation and the following statements by Member States and National Human Rights Institutions, NGOs had the opportunity to take the floor.

IFOR, thus, delivered an oral statement calling on the UN Member States to act to stop the war and save lives and addressed the issue of the violation of the right to conscientious objection to military service, restating its support to all those who refuse to kill.

IFOR recalled as well international standards on the non-derogability of the right to conscientious objection and expressed its concern for the current suspension of this right in Ukraine and its violation in the occupied territories.


Human Rights Council, 51st Session 

23rd September 2022 

Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. 

Mr. President,  

War should be abolished because it is never a conflict resolution, neither in Ukraine nor in other countries. On the contrary, it brings devastating and dramatic consequences on the people and on the land. 

Excellencies, colleagues, we are here today addressing violations directly connected to the ongoing war. 

The victims are waiting for action. [As we head yesterday during the ID with the SR on Myanmar, concerning another violent conflict, actions speak louder than words.] 

In resolution (A/HRC/S-34/L.1) the Human Rights Council reiterated its demand for an immediate end of military hostilities against Ukraine, and for all parties to the conflict to respect the fundamental principles and rules of international humanitarian law 

We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and mourn with them. We also stand in solidarity with those opposing to war and refusing to kill. 

We have been notified that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense replied to the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement that "Due to martial law, since 24.02.2022 the temporary military service in Ukraine is no longer implemented. Therefore, the implementation of alternative service is not applicable."

The UN Human Rights Committee has clearly stated that the right to conscientious objection cannot be restricted for reasons of national security.

IFOR is also concerned by the forced mobilization of conscripts in Ukrainian territory controlled by Russian  affiliated armed groups. 

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a non-derogable right and, as is freedom of expression, it continues to apply in situations of armed conflict. The right to conscientious objection to military service should be absolutely protected and cannot be restricted, as highlighted by the quadrennial analytical thematic report by OHCHR presented at the 50th session. 

Thank you. 


Click here to watch IFOR main representative to deliver the statement at the UN Human Rights Council.

Click here to read the full statement.

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Insights concerning the UN Human Rights Council on the ongoing war in Ukraine


- Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 4 March 2022.

During the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Council "Decides to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry, comprising three human rights experts, to be appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council for an initial duration of one year, complementing, consolidating and building upon the work of the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, in close coordination with the human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the following mandate: (a) To investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and to establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of any such violations and abuses; (b) To collect, consolidate and analyse evidence of such violations and abuses, including their gender dimension, and to systematically record and preserve all information, documentation and evidence, including interviews, witness testimony and forensic material, consistent with international law standards, in view of any future legal proceedings; (c) To document and verify relevant information and evidence, including through field engagement, and to cooperate with judicial and other entities, as appropriate; A/HRC/RES/49/1 4 (d) To identify, where possible, those individuals and entities responsible for violations or abuses of human rights or violations of international humanitarian law, or other related crimes, in Ukraine, with a view to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable; (e) To make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to ending impunity and ensuring accountability, including, as appropriate, individual criminal responsibility, and access to justice for victims; (f) To provide the Human Rights Council, at its fifty-first session, with an oral update, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, and a comprehensive written report at its fifty-second session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session"

Learn more about Resolution A/HRC/RES/49/1 here.


- Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 12 May 2022

During the Special UN Human Rights Council session held in May 2022 the Council adopted a resolution which says that the UN HRC " Reiterates its demand for the immediate cessation of military hostilities against Ukraine and for all parties to the conflict to respect the fundamental principles and rules of international humanitarian law, including to refrain from any attacks against civilians and civilian objects, and to refrain from any human rights violations and abuses in Ukraine; 2. Stresses the need to refrain from any State-sponsored disinformation, propaganda for war or advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, relating to the aggression against Ukraine; 3. Urges the Russian Federation to provide representatives and staff of international human rights and humanitarian institutions, including United Nations specialized agencies, with unhindered, timely, immediate, unrestricted and safe access to A/HRC/RES/S-34/1 3 persons who have been transferred from conflict-affected areas of Ukraine and are held on the territory of the Russian Federation or areas controlled or occupied by the Russian Federation, and to share with relevant parties a comprehensive list of such transferred persons and their whereabouts; 4. Requests the independent international commission of inquiry on Ukraine to conduct an inquiry, consistent with its mandate and international standards, and in coordination with other national and international mechanisms, to address the events in the areas of the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions in late February and in March 2022, including their gender dimension, with a view to holding those responsible to account, and also requests the commission to brief the Human Rights Council on the progress of that inquiry as part of the oral update to the Council at its fifty-first session, and to include its findings after the completion of the inquiry in its report to the Council at its fifty-second session; 5. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to present an oral update on the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Mariupol, including an assessment of the nature and causes of violations or abuses of human rights and of violations of international humanitarian law committed there, to the Human Rights Council at its fiftieth session under item 2, to be followed by an interactive dialogue; 6. Encourages relevant thematic special procedure mandate holders, within their respective mandates, to continue to pay particular attention to the situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression, and urges all relevant parties to cooperate with those mandate holders; 7. Decides to remain seized of the matter."

Learn more about Resolution A/HRC/RES/S-34/1 here.

Comment

"OBJECT WAR CAMPAIGN" LAUNCH : Petition to support Conscientious Objectors and Deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

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"OBJECT WAR CAMPAIGN" LAUNCH : Petition to support Conscientious Objectors and Deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

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PRESS RELEASE

21 September 2022

"OBJECT WAR CAMPAIGN" LAUNCH : Petition to support Conscientious Objectors and Deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, 21st September, Connection e.V., the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, the European Office for Conscientious Objection and War Resisters' International are calling for a signature campaign for deserters and conscientious objectors from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The #ObjectWarCampaign calls on all citizens from everywhere to join the global effort to ensure protection and asylum to conscientious objectors and deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine involved in the current war in the region. They are our hope to refuse war and let peace prevail!

On April 6, 2022, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, had called on Russian soldiers to desert and promised them protection under refugee law. So far, this promise has not been fulfilled. 

Within the scope of #ObjectWarCampaign, a petition has been prepared for everyone to sign in. The petition is addressed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. The petition emphasizes the need to uphold the right to asylum to conscientious objectors and deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine by hosting states. The petition launched on the WeMove.eu website can now be signed in German, English, French, Italian and Greek.

There are an estimated 100,000 Russian military draftees and deserters refusing the war of aggression. An estimated 22,000 Belarusian military draftees have left their country because they don’t want to participate in the war in Ukraine. Everyone who has refused service risks several years of prosecution because of their stand against the war. They are hoping for protection in various countries.

Ukraine suspended the right to conscientious objection and closed the border for men between 18 and 60. Over 100,000 men have evaded war involvement in Ukraine and fled abroad. Currently, Ukrainian citizens have temporary residence in the European Union. The #ObjectWarCampaign petition demands that the right to conscientious objection to military service is fully guaranteed in Ukraine.

The petition signatures  are a crucial sign of support for conscientious objectors and deserters. This campaign highlights the importance of opening borders to those who oppose the war at great personal risk in their countries, and calls on everyone around the world to support those who refuse to fight and kill.

Every recruit can be a conscientious objector, every soldier a deserter. Let's support those who refuse to kill and end war together! 

#ObjectWarCampaign
#StandWithObjectors

The launch of the petition has been anticipated by an appeal sent in June 2022, to the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe -supported by 60 organizations from 20 countries - detailing why protection and support for deserters and conscientious objectors on all sides of the Ukrainian war is necessary and moreover that it is a human right. There have already been discussions about this in the European Parliament. 

More information: 
The appeal to the European institutions can be found here.
Background information can be found here.

Contact and interview requests:
Zaira Zafarana, International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), zaira.zafarana@ifor.org, www.ifor.org (English, Italian)
Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V., +496982375534, office@Connection-eV.org, www.Connection-eV.org (German, English)
Semih Sapmaz, War Resisters’ International (WRI), semih@wri-irg.org, www.wri-irg.org (English,Turkish)
Sam Biesemans, European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO), +32477268893, ebco.brussels@skynet.be, www.ebco-beoc.org (French, Dutch, Italian, English)

📌 Share more on social media at https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation/photos/a.1751009778444220/3294203917458124/

📌 SIGN IT! https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/russia-belarus-ukraine-protection-and-asylum-for-deserters-and-conscientious-objectors-to-military-service

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IFOR joins international press release on the case of pacifist journalist Ruslan Kotsaba

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IFOR joins international press release on the case of pacifist journalist Ruslan Kotsaba

JOINT PRESS RELEASE by EBCO, IFOR, WRI and Connection e.V.

Drop all charges against Ruslan Kotsaba

18 July 2022

In Ukraine, a trial against Ukrainian journalist, pacifist and conscientious objector Ruslan Kostaba will be held on Tuesday 19 July 2022, simply because he publicly expressed his pacifist views.

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), War Resisters’ International (WRI), the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) and Connection e.V. (Germany) consider his case a clear politically motivated persecution, in violation of his rights to freedom of expression and freedom of thought, conscience and religion, guaranteed under Articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The organisations express their solidarity with Ruslan Kotsaba and urge the Ukrainian authorities to safeguard that all pacifists in Ukraine, including the activists of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, are able to freely express their opinions and continue their nonviolent activities.

The organisations also recall their strong condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and call on the soldiers not to participate in hostilities and on all recruits to refuse military service.

The Ukrainian government should safeguard the right to conscientious objection to military service, fully complying with the European and international standards, amongst others the standards set by the European Court of Human Rights.

Ukraine is a member of the Council of Europe and needs to continue to respect the European Convention of Human Rights. As Ukraine becomes a candidate to join the European Union, it will need to respect the Human Rights as defined in the EU Treaty, and the jurisprudence of the EU Court of Justice, which include the right of conscientious objection.


You can click here to download the statement as a PDF file.

Click here to watch Ruslan Kotsaba's statement recorded before the Court's hearing.

Contact persons:

Visit and share on Facebook!


UPDATE

Next hearing for Ruslan Kotsaba's case is scheduled for September 4th 2022.

Here you can find a video message he recorded before His last hearing.
You can find more information here.

CALL TO ACTION!

International solidarity is very important.

There are several things which can be done, for instance:
- organize a public presence in front of the Ukrainian embassy with signs and then share pictures and/or release about it
- engage with politicians in your country to support Ruslan Kotsaba
- engage with media in your country to cover Ruslan's case
- send the published appeal or your own note to Honourable Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General of Ukraine,
Riznytska St, 13/15
Kyiv 01011
Ukraine
- share on social media and use hashtag #ConscientiousObjection #FreedomExpression; tag on Fb @peaceukraine (Ukrainian Pacifist Movement)

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IFOR submits to the UN UPR reports on the right to conscientious objection to military service in the Republic of Korea and Switzerland

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IFOR submits to the UN UPR reports on the right to conscientious objection to military service in the Republic of Korea and Switzerland

IFOR has prepared and submitted to the UN two reports for the upcoming 42nd session of the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Korea and Switzerland. The formal session will take place at the beginning of 2023.

The Republic of Korea has a long-standing history of discrimination and violations of human rights of conscientious objectors. It has been noted as a country with an high level of inprisoned conscientious objectors.

In the recent years there has been a significative legislative development with the introduction by law of an alternative service which, unfortunately, in practice remain punitive and discriminatory. Korean conscientious objectors, indeed, serve a 36 months alternative service in prison or other correctional facilities and some are still sentenced to prison.

Other issues of concern are the lack of independence and impartiality of the body examining applications for conscientious objector status and the lack of effective remedies to victims of violations.

IFOR has include as well in its report suggested recommendation to be addressed to the Republic of Korea to respect and fully implement the human rights of conscientious objectors.

In the past cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, the Republic of Korea has received multiple recommendations by Member States and had rejected all but one about the releasing of all conscientious objectors imprisoned; this is a commitment which has not been yet completely fulfilled.

You can read here the complete country based report with more details on the legal development and insights on international standards.

You can find more information on the previous cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Korea here.


In Switzerland the domestic legislation does not fully comply with the international standards. IFOR has raised concerns related to the right to conscientious objection to military service such as the punitive duration of the alternative civilian service, the criminalisation of conscientious objectors who refuse or fail to perform the punitive and discriminatory alternative civilian service and finally the violation of the right to fair trial of conscientious objectors tried by military courts.

You can read the complete report here.

You can find out more about the previous review of Switzerland here.


The Universal Periodic Review is a State-driven process, which provides the opportunity for each State to present what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situation in their country and to fulfil their human rights obligations; the State under review will also report on the implementation of the previously accepted recommendations. UN Member States have the possibility to ask questions and make recommendations to the State under review. UPR Working Group consists of the 47 members of the Council, however any member state can take part in the discussion.
The review is based on information provided by the interested State, independent human rights experts and other stakeholders such as NGOs.
NGOs reports and proposed recommendations can be referred to by any of the States taking part in the interactive discussion during the review; it is therefore of vital importance to engage at the UPR and address specific issues which can be therefore part of the dialogue with the country under review.
IFOR focuses in particular on issues related to conscientious objection and to the militarization of society. 

IFOR is currently running a particular conscientious objection project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT), a grant-making Quaker trust. Among the main aims there are research work and redaction of thematic country-based reports to be submitted to the UN for the regular State reviews on human rights.

The right to refuse to kill, although it is a human right, it is not recognized in all countries and many objectors are persecuted.

IFOR is committed to support this right and make a lasting change in society, for peace. JRCT recognizes that "change can take many years to achieve and is willing to take the long view, and to take the risks".

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IFOR participation in The Nuclear ban week in Vienna

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IFOR participation in The Nuclear ban week in Vienna

Here you can find a brief journal of IFOR attendance to the nuclear ban week in Vienna which has been very intense with outstanding events.

Don’t miss the photo album. [scroll down to the end]


Day 1 & Day 2

On the 18th and 19th we participated in the NGOs Forum organized by ICAN and on the 19th evening on the "Give peace a chance!" conference organized by ABFANG, IPB and WILPF.

At this link you can watch:

- recording of main events which took place during the June 18-19 NGOs Forum

- daily MSP TV: twice a day briefing concerning the ongoing Vienna events on nuclear disarmament (Conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and Parliamentarians Conference on the 20th, 1MSP on 21-23rd, Youth Conference on the 21st . . .)

About 600 people participated in the Forum in the past 2 days, coming from all regions of the world such as the islands of the Pacific, Asia, Africa, South America . . .

The topic of nuclear weapons is a global urgent issue which involves those producing, owning and storing nukes and those who have been affected by their use and testing; nuclear weapons are a threat to human life and all earth life. The UN Treaty frames nukes as inhuman and illegal and it provides a plan to ban them!

At this link you can watch recording of main events which took place during the June 18-19 NGOs Forum

Pour lire en français, cliquez ici.

Para leer en español, haga clic aquí.


Day 3

On Monday July 20th, IFOR participated in the Conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, which was organized by Austria at the Austrian center in Vienna with the participation of State delegations, NGOs, academics, OIs...

More info are available here.

Several experts took the floor on specific aspects concerning #nuclearweapons 1. What we know, 2. Impact on people and planet, 3. The risks.

Speakers were as well from UN Office for Disarmament Affairs Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) , International Committee of the Red Cross , KNOW NUKES TOKYO , UNIDIR, the UN Institute for Disarmament Research , Nuclear Information and Resource Service , SIPRI , Arms Control Association , Princeton University . . .

Here are some insights from the Conference:

  • P. Lewis reported on several cases concerning individuals who decided not to escalate as P. Stanislav in 1983.

  • "The more NATO emphasizes nuclear deterrence, the more it legitimizes nuclear threats" D. Kimball

  • "Nuclear detonation may be a low probability event, but not a zero probability event" J. Revill

  • "Nuclear colonialism has been affecting indigenous communities" M. Olsen

  • "Illusion to bend the future to our will; illusion of control" Z. Mian

  • "We live in a system of states, not of people, and states make wars" Z. Mian

  • "Fragility of security theory based on nuclear deterrence" Z. Mian

  • "Only the elimination of nuclear weapons offer effective prevention" Z. Mian

The detailed program is available here.

The complete list of speakers and bio is available here.

Chair's summary here.

The Opening remarks by Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu High Representative for Disarmament Affairs are available here.


Day 4

Tuesday 21st, the historical 1 Conference TPNW MSP started at the UN Vienna with the opening message by António Guterres UN Secretary General, the director of International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), UN Office for Disarmament Affairs Vienna.

We expected many States “observers” such as those in the middle of the ratification process and those still reluctant to sign the treaty.
4 NATO members (Norway, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands) will attend as observers and there is the last minute chance for others to join in.
It's important not to give up and to persist on national campaigning and lobby efforts!

The meeting continued with testimonies from nuclear weapons victims.

Member States delivered statements on #nuclearweapons from different perspectives.

Here some insights from the general debate from States, IOs and NGOs:

  • "Preserve life, instead of threaten it"

  • "Unacceptable humanitarian consequences" Austria

  • "Deterrence is an ultimate call for further proliferation" Austria

  • "We need a realistic approach based on evidences" Austria

  • "Multilateral cooperation is the only way for global concerns" Austria

  • "Many ratifications from the Pacific which bears scars of decades of nuclear testing" New Zealand

  • "Nuclear weapons are never the answer" New Zealand

  • "Nuclear deterrence does not preserve peace" South Africa

  • "Sense of responsibility and urgency; no room for procrastination" South Africa

  • "Culture of peace instead of culture of death" Venezuela

  • "Nuclear weapons offer no security" Ireland

  • "Nuclear weapons are contrary to the spirit of U.N. and its Chart" Guyana

  • "Giant step for the preservation of human life" Trinidad and Tobago

  • "Importance of addressing the financing of such production" ICAN-Etica

  • "We banned them and we will eliminate them" Parliamentarians for the TPNW

  • "Every dollar on missile is a moral abhorrence" Fiji

TPNW is available here.

The Program of work of the 1MSP is available here.

ICAN updates on the 1st day of the MSP is available here.

Secretary-General’s video message to the Opening of the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is available here.

ICAN executive director statement is available here.

To read in French, click here.

To read in Spanish, click here.


Day 5

On the 2nd day of the 1MSP, on June 22nd, the plenary adopted decisions on art. 4 of the #TPNW concerning above all 10 years time for the destruction of nuclear weapons owned by states parties and 90 days for the removal of nuclear weapons from hosting states.

 The working session then addressed Art. 6 and 7 on "Victim assistance and environmental remediation" and "International cooperation and assistance".

Among speakers there have been representatives of the civil society who shared their first hand testimonies as 2nd and 3rd generation affected victims.

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR joined an interfaith oral statement delivered by World Council of Churches on behalf of 144 NGOs, including Pax Christi InternationalSoka Gakkai . . .

You can read more on the Interfaith joined statement and its signatories here.

Kiribati rep called on all 1MSP participants to gather together as "brothers and sisters".

The debate was also characterized by statements of observer states such as NATO members Sweden, Germany, Norway and The Netherlands. 

Germany statement is available here.

Norway statement is available here.

Swede statement is available here.

Switzerland (another observer state at the 1MSP) statement is available here.

Read more insights on the 2nd day of the 1MSP here.


Day 6

The 3rd day of the 1MSP, on June 23rd, concluded an historical Conference on nuclear disarmament, which adopted by consensus the Vienna declaration: the Action Plan in 50 points to move forward with nuclear disarmament and fully implement.

More details are available here.

ICAN's preliminary analysis on these 2 historical documents is available here.

Several principles have been highlighted:

  • scientific advisory committee

  • universality

  • complementarity (with the NPT)

  • gender perspective


Several member states took the floor as well as NGOs such as International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) that stated again the perfect complementary with NPT and the TPNW's vital importance.

The plenary agreed as well on the 2MSP presidency to Mexico and the 3MSP presidency to Kazakhstan.

The President of the Conference, Alexander Kmentt, celebrated the historical outcome restating:

"Important message from this meeting, a clear message"

"Now the real work will start!"

"We set a new standard to work together and efficiently"

"Thank you to observers who have not yet made their mind on it"

"Viva Mexico!"

The meeting ended with excitement and celebrations from all participants, diplomats and civil society together.

Nuclear ban week concluded with renewed commitment to nuclear disarmament by all the MSP and renewed joint effort with civil society to free the world from nuclear weapons and remediate its harm.

Nuclear weapons are banned and there is a Plan!

The nuclear ban week has been a very intense week with many useful and interesting insights. 

July 7th commemorated as well the 5th anniversary of the adoption of the TPNW which entered into force on January 22nd 2021 following the reaching of its 50th ratification on October 24th 2020.

Till today, 66 countries had already ratified the TPNW


Day 1 Photo-Book


Day 2 Photo-Book


Day 3 Photo-Book


Day 4 Photo-Book


Day 5 Photo-Book


Day 6 Photo-Book


Additional Tools:

  • Take a look at the pictures and posts published on IFOR's Facebook page and share them!

  • At this link you can watch daily MSP TV: twice a day briefing concerning the ongoing Vienna events on nuclear disarmament (Conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and Parliamentarians Conference on the 20th, 1MSP on 21-23rd, Youth Conference on the 21st . . .)

  • More streaming here

  • All the statements delivered during the 1MSP by invited guests, member states, observer states, international organizations and NGOs are available here.

  • ICAN's pictures from NGOs forum (free to use for ICAN’s partner organisations for non-commercial use, please just make sure to credit the photographer and ICAN):

  • ICAN's ED Beatrice Fihn highlights about the #nuclearbanweek:

    • The panels and discussions at the Nuclear Ban Forum were . I was so impressed with the energy, commitment, new and fresh angles on this issue and just the joy of us being together again.

    • It almost got lost in the noise, but we got three states (!) from three different continents to join the treaty on the eve of the MSP. This shows that the momentum for the treaty keeps growing, and we know many more states are on their way to ratify. Congratulations to Timor-Leste, Grenada and Cabo Verde

    • The first ever Parliamentarians for TPNW conference took place, and it was so great to see relationships building and  connections being made between our supportive parliamentarians across countries. Plans were made and participants plotted about how they can get their countries to join the treaty. This is such important work to increase the power and reach of the TPNW.

    • We had financial institutions engaging as stakeholders in the Treaty meetings for the first time. Financial institutions and investors  representing €230 billion sent a strong message of support and solidarity to the MSP, and raised divestment as a way to implement the TPNW.

    • We got five nuclear allied states, Norway, Germany, Australia, Netherlands and Belgium, to attend the MSP. While we have lots of work left to get them to join the treaty,  we need to recognize that this was a very impressive achievement for our partners in these countries. 

    • The Nuclear Ban Forum, the Humanitarian Conference and the MSP were packed with young people and new campaigners, from all corners of the world. This is such a clear sign that our movement is reasoning with people and becoming stronger and stronger. A big thanks to Youth for TPNW, Reverse The Trend and all other organisations that prioritized bringing young people to Vienna, and for every single partner organisation who are creating a campaign that is welcoming for new people and creating space for young activists to make their voices heard. 

    • The outcome documents of the MSP were really incredible achievements, and no other nuclear weapons forum will in the foreseeable future be able to get close to what we achieved.. The Vienna Declaration is the strongest multilateral declaration against the threat of nuclear weapons use that has ever been adopted. There are so many good parts in this document, and we hope to have more analysis and writings about it coming out soon. Please do share any writing and commentary that you and your networks are publishing on this, in absence of media coverage on this we need to make sure we spread the word ourselves.

    • The Vienna action plan is pretty unique for a UN treaty outcome document in its inclusiveness of civil society, impacted communities and academics and scientists as well as in its concrete and timebound commitments by states. Here’s a list of the key decisions that were taken, and we’ll follow up with more information and analysis of what this means in the coming weeks. 

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WEBINAR: Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine: 27 May 2022, 17:00-18:30 CEST

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WEBINAR: Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine: 27 May 2022, 17:00-18:30 CEST

Joint web event EBCO, IFOR, WRI


Friday 27 May 2022, 17:00-18:30 CEST (Brussels time)
Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine

Moderator: Semih Sapmaz, War Resisters' International

  1. Presentation of EBCO Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe:

    • Summary of findings: Alexia Tsouni, EBCO President, Association of Conscientious Objectors (Greece)

    • Focus on Turkey: Merve Arkun, EBCO Vice-President, Conscientious Objection Watch (Turkey)

    • EBCO recommendations Zaira Zafarana, International Fellowship of Reconciliation

Q&A

  1. Focus on the war in Ukraine:

    • Resisting war in Ukraine: Yurii Sheliazhenko, Ukrainian Pacifist Movement

    • Opposing war in Russia: Alexander Belik, Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors

    • Right to asylum for war resisters: Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V. (Germany)

Q&A

  1. Open discussion & exchange on future actions

 

Please note that you need to register in advance for the event here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_Vt3zH78mTGu19C9N-HswaA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar


Visit and share the Facebook link. 
This is part of the CO Marathon, Read more about it on our webpage!

You can watch the recording on our Youtube Channel.

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