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.

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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. 

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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.

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CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION TO MILITARY SERVICE #CODay2021

#CODay2021

VOICES FROM THE FELLOWSHIP

Conscientious objection to military service is part of IFOR history, and it has been at the core of its original engagement since 1914. It's one of our roots. Many members were and are objectors. Several local efforts contributed to the recognition of the right in many countries. There is still work to do about it and IFOR is fully engaged in this field, and it is also running a thematic project supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. 

On the occasion of the 
International Conscientious Objection Day - May 15th, 
we are sharing the voices of the members of IFOR around the world, on conscientious objection.

It is about a valuable heritage and a particular perspective on the present situation. As we talk about conscientious objection to military service we also refer to initiatives which deal with the refusal to support militarism. Unfortunately, we are currently witnessing an increase in the militarization of society and thus of the Culture of violence. We work for a positive change and the implementation of a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence.

We are pleased to share personal contributions from the fellowship, on conscientious objection!

You will read testimonies about past initiatives, current campaigns, individual struggles, personal understanding,  research of nonviolent alternatives, rejection of violence, compassion, faith, political engagement...

We stand in solidarity with all conscientious objectors in the world, who are currently facing threatens and discriminations for their refusal.
We dedicate these testimonies to them and to all those who struggled throughout the past decades.

Last year on CODay2020 we made a dedicated publication which you can find here.

• If you would like to learn more about the current work of IFOR on conscientious objection and on the ongoing thematic project funded by JRCT, you are welcome to contact the project Coordinator here: zaira.zafarana@ifor.org

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L'OBJECTION DE CONSCIENCE AU SERVICE MILITAIRE
#CODay2021

VOIX DU MOUVEMENT

L'objection de conscience au service militaire fait partie de l'histoire d'IFOR et elle est au cœur de son engagement originel depuis 1914. C'est l'une de nos racines. De nombreux membres ont été et sont des objecteurs. Plusieurs efforts locaux ont contribué à la reconnaissance de ce droit dans de nombreux pays. Il y a encore du travail à faire à ce sujet et l'IFOR est pleinement engagé dans ce domaine et il mène également un projet thématique soutenu par le Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.

A l'occasion de la Journée Internationale de l'Objection de Conscience - 15 mai,
nous partageons les voix des membres d'IFOR à travers le monde, sur l'objection de conscience.

Il s'agit d'un héritage précieux et d'une perspective particulière sur la situation actuelle. Lorsque nous parlons d'objection de conscience au service militaire, nous faisons également référence aux initiatives qui traitent du refus de soutenir le militarisme. Malheureusement, nous assistons actuellement à une augmentation de la militarisation de la société et donc de la culture de la violence. Nous travaillons pour un changement positif et la mise en place d'une Culture de la Paix et de la Non-violence.

Nous avons le plaisir de partager des contributions personnelles de la Fellowship, sur l'objection de conscience! 

Vous lirez des témoignages sur les initiatives passées, les campagnes actuelles, les luttes individuelles, la compréhension personnelle, la recherche d'alternatives non-violentes, le rejet de la violence, la compassion, la foi, l'engagement politique...

Nous sommes solidaires de tous les objecteurs de conscience dans le monde, qui sont actuellement confrontés à des menaces et des discriminations pour leur refus.
Nous leur dédions ces témoignages et à tous ceux qui ont résisté au cours des dernières décennies.

 L'année dernière, à l'occasion du CODay2020, nous avons réalisé une publication dédiée que vous pouvez trouver ici.

• Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur le travail actuel d'IFOR sur l'objection de conscience et sur le projet en cours financé par le JRCT, vous pouvez contacter le coordinateur du projet ici: zaira.zafarana@ifor.org

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OBJECIÓN DE CONCIENCIA AL SERVICIO MILITAR

 #CODay2021

VOCES DEL MOVIMIENTO

La objeción de conciencia al servicio militar forma parte de la historia de IFOR y ha estado en el centro de su compromiso original desde 1914. Es una de nuestras raíces. Muchos miembros fueron y son objetores. Varios esfuerzos locales contribuyeron al reconocimiento del derecho en muchos países. Todavía queda trabajo por hacer al respecto y la IFOR está plenamente comprometida en este campo y también está llevando a cabo un proyecto temático apoyado por el Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.

Con motivo del Día Internacional de la Objeción de Conciencia - 15 de mayo, compartimos las voces de los miembros de IFOR de todo el mundo, sobre la objeción de conciencia.

Se trata de un valioso patrimonio y de una perspectiva particular sobre la situación actual. Al hablar de la objeción de conciencia al servicio militar nos referimos también a las iniciativas que tratan del rechazo al apoyo al militarismo. De manera lamentable, actualmente asistimos a un aumento de la militarización de la sociedad y, por tanto, de la cultura de la violencia. Trabajamos por un cambio positivo y la implantación de una Cultura de Paz y No-Violencia.

Nos complace compartir ¡Contribuciones personales de la hermandad, sobre la objeción de conciencia! 

Leerás testimonios sobre iniciativas pasadas, campañas actuales, luchas individuales, comprensión personal, búsqueda de alternativas no violentas, rechazo a la violencia, compasión, fe, compromiso político...

Nos solidarizamos con todos los objetores de conciencia del mundo que actualmente se enfrentan a amenazas y discriminaciones por su objeción.
A ellos les dedicamos estos testimonios y a todos los que han resistido durante las últimas décadas.

 El año pasado, en el Día de la Objeción de Conciencia2020, hicimos una publicación dedicada que puedes encontrar aquí. 

• Si desea saber más sobre el trabajo actual del IFOR en materia de objeción de conciencia y sobre el proyecto en curso financiado por la JRCT, puede ponerse en contacto con el coordinador del proyecto aquí: zaira.zafarana@ifor.org

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J’étais, je suis, et je resterais Objecteur de Conscience !

Pierre Marchand - France

Read the English version here.

Ce jour-là, mon frère - qui était pourtant très « anticatholique » - m’a offert un livre d’un… prêtre : l’Abbé Jean TOULAT, journaliste et écrivain. Le titre était « Les grévistes de la guerre ». Je l’ai lu avec beaucoup d’attention, religieusement. Ce livre était consacré à l’objection de conscience et l’auteur en faisait ouvertement la promotion au nom de l’évangile. Aux trois quarts du livre, ma décision était prise… Cliquez ici pour en lire plus.

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My conscientious objection to army service in 1973 in Switzerland

Ueli Wildberger - Switzerland

Born just after WWII in July 1945, the atrocities of the Nazi-Regime in Germany and World War II were still omnipresent in my early years, growing up in a modest family of schoolteacher in a remote village only 10 km from the German border near Schaffhausen! 

Since then the horrors of war and holocaust were very vivid in my memory. At the same time I grew up sharing the overwhelming conviction of Swiss people, that our strong militia defense and army had saved our nation from being invaded and destroyed in WWII. So despite my repugnance to take arms and to serve in the army I absolved my recruitment service of 4 months and 5 subsequent yearly repetition courses of 2 weeks due to the strong pressure of my family and friends… Click here to read more.

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Conscientious Objection Changed My Life

J. Kenneth Kreider – U.S.A.

Growing up in a Church of the Brethren family, it was natural for me to be in accord with the teachings of the “historic peace churches” (Society of Friends, Mennonites, and Church of the Brethren), regarding participation in military activity.  At the age of 18 I followed United States law by registering with Selective Service—as a conscientious objector. Click here to read more.

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I still believe in conscientious objection and nonviolent action, heart and soul

Chris Harmer - U.S.A.

My name is Chris.  I was born in 1950. I grew up a white, middle-class male in a suburban, traditional family in the upper South of the United States.
I am aware that my life was and remains an easy life of privilege, for which I am incredibly grateful.  What was given from the circumstances of my birth is what all people deserve.  
My life’s direction was forever changed in the 1960s by the intersection of the Christian ecumenical movement in the US and by our country’s deepening involvement in the Vietnam War… Click here to read more.

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J'ai refusé

 

Michel Monod – Suisse

J'ai accompli le service d'instruction militaire de 4 mois en 1960 puis j'ai refusé les ordres de marche suivants. Cela m'a valu un procès au tribunal militaire et une condamnation de 4 mois de prison à Saint Antoine à Genève. Puis j'ai refusé à nouveau 2 fois les ordres de marche et j'ai été condamné à 2 mois puis un mois et enfin exclu de l'armée… Cliquez ici pour en lire plus.

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MY SMALL CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION

Piercarlo Racca - Italy

In 1968, when I was 22 years old, I decided to object to military service. I had participated in the Milan-Vicenza anti-militarist march and was convinced of the need to oppose the military institution. It was also the year in which the communist armies of the Warsaw Pact occupied Prague, putting an end to the "socialism with a human face". Click here to read more.

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Personal Experience with Conscientious Objection

Pete Hämmerle - Austria

When I decided to object to military service, this was in the context of the Cold War in the late 1970s, in a neutral country (Austria) with mandatory conscription for all young men. Alternative service (Zivildienst) had only become a possibility a few years before (1974), and the image of COs in society in general was that of “cowards”, no “real men”, trying to escape their “duty towards society and the state”… Click here to read more.

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From Conscientious Objection to Resistance to Peace: USA to Mozambique and Beyond

Matt Meyer – U.S.A.

Growing up in the 1960’s, with images of the US war in Vietnam and Southeast Asia playing out on the television screen as full color background to my earliest memories, I often note that my parents were “natural born pacifists.” Neither of them belonged to any peace groups or attended demonstrations, but the idea that “war was wrong” permeated our household. In 1979, when US President Jimmy Carter suggested bringing back registration for the draft as a show of strength in the face of Soviet incursions to Afghanistan, my own high school senior mentality drove these anti-war instincts into high gear… Click here to read more.

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A slice of sky behind bars

Claudio Pozzi - Italy

From April 21st 1972 to September 30th 1972 I was detained in the military prison of Gaeta for refusing to carry out military service as a Catholic. I was released from prison on October 1st and on December 15th it was approved the law which finally recognized the right to object in Italy, as well. I also wrote a book about this titled Uno spicchio di cielo dietro le sbarre, Diario dal carcere di un obiettore di coscienza al servizio militare negli anni ’70… Click here to read more.

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Dangerous fools: my story about being a conscientious objector

Larry Coleman - U.S.A.
On a spring day, I sat with my classmates at a table in the training room with the ROTC test on the table in front of me. The instructor for the final test admonished us to do well, so we could enlist as an Army Officer. The pitch to become an officer was made enticing, a slam dunk. The perks were emphasized, but there was little or no mention of the dangers. Certainly, there was no sober, deep thinking about the damage wars perpetrate… Click here to read more.

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Do Not Fear, But Trust!

Gyula I. Simonyi - Hungary

We were seven conscientious objectors convicted in court, from the community I established in our city, Székesfehérvár. Click here to read more.

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La branche belge de l’IFOR et l’objection de conscience 

Sam Biesemans - Belgique

En Belgique, la section belge de l’IFOR qui s’appelle aujourd’hui Agir pour la Paix (dans le passé « MIR-IRG ») a joué un rôle crucial pour influencer le débat politique qui mena à la loi de 1964 portant le statut d’objecteur de conscience au service militaire. Il a fallu 15 ans d’initiatives et de débats parlementaires pour y parvenir. Le sacrifice personnel et l’engagement constant de Jean Van Lierde, qui endura une longue peine de prison et fut ensuite contraint de travailler dans une mine de charbon, ont porté leurs fruits… Cliquez ici pour en lire plus.

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Thomas Merton and the Army that Sheds No Blood

Jim Forest – U.S.A.

Here it is a presentation on Thomas Merton, a FOR member and writer whose books were very widely read and who was himself a conscientious objector. 
Me too! I left the US Navy as a conscientious objector, after two years in uniform… Click here to read more.

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Military conscription also for girls in the Netherlands

Henk Blom - Netherlands

Since 2020, girls are also subject to compulsory military service in the Netherlands. All more than 100,000 girls born in 2003 have received a letter from the Ministry of Defense informing them that they are registered for military service. With a view to equal treatment of men and women, it was believed that women should also be registered for military service. Click here to read more.

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We thank all those who contributed!
Nous remercions tous ceux qui ont contribué ! ¡Agradecemos a todos los que contribuyeron!

Page being updated: if you would like to share as well your personal experience on conscientious objection you are welcome to do so, writing to office@ifor.org, or leave a message below here.

Page en cours de mise à jour: si vous souhaitez partager également votre expérience personnelle sur l'objection de conscience, vous pouvez le faire en écrivant à office@ifor.org ou en laissant un message ci-dessous ici.

Página en actualización: si desea compartir también su experiencia personal sobre la objeción de conciencia, puede hacerlo, escribiendo a office@ifor.org, o deje un mensaje a continuación aquí.

Attack on the right to freedom of expression: the case of Ruslan Kotsaba, a Ukrainian anti-war pacifist journalist

On January 22nd 2021, pacifist journalist Ruslan Kotsaba was attacked near the Kolomyia City District Court of Ivano-Frankivsk Region, in Ukraine, as he was going to the hearing for the trial where he is charged for publications against the war. He published in 2015 a video titled “I refuse to mobilize”.

Read more about the case of this journalist by clicking here.

IFOR shares the deep concern expressed by EBCO - European Bureau for Conscientious Objection in its Press Release "UKRAINE: EBCO shocked by the continuation of prosecution and attacks against Ruslan Kotsaba. Criticism of the military is not a crime! Violence is a crime!", condemning the physical violence against the journalist who is under investigation for going public against the war. Read the Press Release by clicking here.

IFOR has already referred to this individual case in the statement delivered last December at the UN during a session of the Human Rights Council concerning the situation of human rights in Ukraine. Click here to read more.

We stand in solidarity with the victims of the violation of the right to freedom of expression in Ukraine and in any other country.

Reprisals and Violence against human rights defenders and peace activists should always be condemned.

Learn more by clicking here, about possible solidarity initiatives and to take action on this case.

IFOR speaks at the UN Human Rights Council on the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine

On December 18th 2020, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR participated in the UN Human Rights Council "Oral presentation of the report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine".

UN Assistant Secretary-General Ilze Brands Kehris, head of the UN Human Rights Office in New York, presented the UN report, followed by statements of member States and NGOs. At this link you can find the OHCHR reporting on Ukraine 

IFOR took the floor and expressed concern regarding the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine and referred to the case of the pacifist journalist, Ruslan Kotsaba, who has already spent 524 days in jail for an anti-war video posted in 2015 and titled "I refuse to mobilize". Here you can watch his video.

He is currently under trial, again, accused of treason and obstructing military operations.

Here you can read the full intervention made by the IFOR's main representative at the UN in Geneva, Zaira Zafarana.

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Human Rights Council
Geneva, 18th December 2020
Interactive Dialogue on the oral presentation of the report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.
Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation1

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR thanks the High Commissioner and her office for the report (on the situation of human rights in Ukraine) and expresses concern about the ongoing violations of the right to conscientious objection to military service.

Alternative service in Ukraine has a punitive and discriminatory character and it is hardly accessible. There are information from the ground about the current case of about 24 Pentecostals2 conscientious objectors who are unable to start alternative service because there is not an available employment3.

Another item of concern is Bill 35534, regarding military service and registration, adopted by the parliament in the first reading. It introduces new measures which forecast a negative impact on the rights and freedom of citizens.

IFOR would like, finally, to draw the attention of the Members of this Council and of the High Commissioner to the case of Ukrainian journalist and pacifist Ruslan Kotsaba who is again under trial5 because of a video posted in 2015 to express opposition to the military mobilization for armed conflict in eastern Ukraine6. He has already spent over 500 days under arrest for his expression of anti-war thoughts and is accused again of treason and obstructing military operations.

As already highlighted by IFOR7, “freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a non-derogable right”, alike freedom of expression, (“and it continues to apply regardless of a situation of armed conflict”).

1 According to the meeting participation rules, the statement has been delivered by video-message.
2 In Hoshcha Raion of Rivne Oblast.
3 Employment has to be suitable to the restrictive legal regulations of alternative service.
4 It has been proposed by President of Ukraine and is titled "On the amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine concerning improvement in some aspects of conducting military service and military registration".
5 In Kolomyia City District Court of Ivano-Frankivsk Region. The High Specialized Court on Civil and Criminal Cases in 2017 quashed the acquittal and ordered a retrial. Then several judges and local courts recused from the case; the court ordered to return formal accusation for further investigation, but the order was quashed by the appellate court; and now, judges Kalyniuk, Berkeshuk, and Veselov will examine 58 witnesses of the supposed political impact of Ruslan's video blog and pass their judgment.
6 Ruslan Kotsaba was arrested on 7th February 2015 in Ivano-Frankivsk, 130 km south-east of Lviv, after he posted a video describing the conflict as “the Donbas fratricidal civil war”. He also expressed opposition to military conscription of Ukrainians to take part in the conflict. He was then named as Amnesty International’s first Ukrainian prisoner of conscience in five years. He has already spent 524 days under arrest and was duly acquitted in 2016. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/04/ukraine-suspicious-deaths-need-credible-investigations/
7 Oral statements delivered by IFOR at the 45th session of the Human rights Council, on October 1st, during the ID with the High Commissioner on the findings of OHCHR report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.

You can download this statement here. 

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You can watch the registration of the above meeting of the UN Human rights Council here (IFOR intervention is at 1:07:29) 

IFOR ADDRESSES CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION TO MILITARY SERVICE AT THE 43rd U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND REPORTS OF DISPROPORTIONATE VIOLENCE AGAINST UNARMED PROTESTERS WORLDWIDE

In the opening week of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, which started on February 24th, IFOR addressed the plenary during the general debate which followed the oral update by the High Commissioner for human rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet, and referred to the many ongoing conflict situations worldwide, violence against unarmed protesters and conscientious objection issues such as the irregular recruitment of Colombian objector Brayan Blanco, as also denounced by War Resisters' International through its regular alert. Download the statement here.

You can watch it here at {00:15:06}  http://webtv.un.org/…/item2-general-debate-…/6136894268001/…  

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"Madam High Commissioner,

The number of situations of concern which you listed this morning is chilling.

The ongoing conflict in Syria is a dire humanitarian and human rights disaster. In Iraq, as you reported, more than 450 peaceful protesters have in recent months been killed by the security forces. Likewise, in Chile unarmed protesters have been seriously injured.  You did not mention France, where the police reaction to the gilets jaunes protests has been disproportionately violent.

IFOR has serious concerns about the situation in Cameroon, supports your call for prompt investigation, leading to prosecution of the perpetrators of incidents like the massacre in the North-West of the country two weeks ago.  Meanwhile we welcome the positive news from your discussions with the government last autumn, and hope that the pledges made will bear fruit. 

We strongly support the reconciliation process in South Sudan to end violence, stabilize the country and enhance human rights.

Our concerns about the situation in Eritrea were voiced in the interactive dialogue last Wednesday. We also have an ongoing concern about military service in both parts of the island of Cyprus, which, although today peaceful, houses perhaps the densest population of military personnel (belonging to six separate armies!) of anywhere in the world.  Three conscientious objectors to military service in the Turkish-occupied north of the island have now filed cases with the European Court of Human Rights.

In Colombia, despite the legal recognition  of conscientious objection to military service, irregular recruitment practices still persist. Last September, Brayan Gonzales Blanco voluntarily presented himself at the military recruitment office in Bogota to inquire about the process for registration as a conscientious objector. His identity documents were impounded and he found himself transported to immediate incorporation in Battalion 13 in the municipality of Ubaia.  On leave, he contacted IFOR’s partner organisation Asociation Colectiva de Objetores yObjetoras de Conciencia-ACOOC about the process of registration as a conscientious objector. They recommended that he should not simply abscond but should return to his unit and follow the correct procedures.  This he did, but as soon as he returned to the Battalion at the beginning of this month he encountered harassment from superiors and peers so severe as to put his psychological well-being at risk. His application for release is still under review.

The “batidas” under which young men were hoovered from the streets into military vehicles, are now a thing of the past in the major cities.  But Colombia is a vast country.  One fears that in the remote rural areas forced recruitment is still the norm, and that few if any of the victims know even of the  possibility of claiming conscientious objector status.

We call on your Office in Bogota to continue to monitor reports of irregular recruitment practices from all parts of the country.

Thank you"