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.

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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. 

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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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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.

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

Traducción Española

Traduction française

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

NO WAR! Voices for peace from civil society worldwide

Here you can see a compilation of different statements and voices from peace organizations around the world.

Say NO TO WAR!

-page constantly updated with new statements-

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Photo from Russia: NO WAR

• Statement by the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement:

The Ukrainian Pacifist Movement condemns all military actions by the sides of Russia and Ukraine in the context of the current conflict.
We call the leadership of both states and military forces to step back and sit at the negotiation table. Peace in Ukraine and around the world can be achieved only in a non-violent way. War is a crime against humanity. Therefore, we are determined not to support any kind of war and to strive for the removal of all causes of war.

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Photo from Ukraine: PEACE!

• Statement by the Movement of Conscientious Objectors to Military Service in Russia:

What is happening in Ukraine is a war unleashed by Russia.
The Conscientious Objectors Movement condemns the Russian military aggression. And calls on Russia to stop the war.
The Conscientious Objectors Movement calls on the Russian soldiers not to participate in hostilities. Do not become war criminals. The Conscientious Objectors Movement calls on all recruits to refuse military service: apply for alternative civilian service, be exempted on medical grounds.

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• French anti-militarists, pacifists, objectors, support objectors to the Russian Army

• Peace Commissioner of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) together with EAK and Connection: Grant protection and asylum to conscientious objectors and deserters from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus

• Statement of the European Humanist Federation (EHF): Russian deserters should be granted asylum

• "Asylum for those who refuse the war in Ukraine", Statement by the Finnish Union of conscientious objectors

• “No Means No”, Call to Belarusian Men to Refuse Recruitment to Fight for Russia in Ukraine, by "Nash Dom"

• Russia, Novaya Gazeta. newspaper against the war. Message from Nobel Prize-winning editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov
  "Early this morning we all gathered in the editorial office. We are in mourning.
  Our country, on the orders of President Putin, has started a war with Ukraine. And there is no one to stop the war. Therefore, along with grief, we feel shame.
  The commander-in-chief spins the "nuclear button" in his hands like a key ring on an expensive car. Is an atomic attack the next step? I cannot interpret Vladimir Putin's words on the weapon of retaliation in any other way.
  But we will publish this issue of Novaya Gazeta in two languages: Ukrainian and Russian. Because we do not recognise Ukraine as an enemy and the Ukrainian language as the language of the enemy. And we will never admit it.
  Last thing: only the anti-war movement of Russians can save life on this planet."
  Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

• Joint statement of ICAN with Dmitry Muratov, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Russian journalist, condemning Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons in Novaya Gazeta.

• 300 Russian NGO reps write to #Putin:
  "We oppose the military actions that our country carries out on the territory of Ukraine. All our work is the struggle for human dignity, saving lives."

• Russians are against the war on Ukraine!

• Feminist Antiwar Resistance

• Statement of the Soldier mothers of St. Petersburg

• An open letter of scientists and scientific journalists against the war in Ukraine

• Action by the Food Not Bombs group in Moscow

• An appeal for peace by a group of 233 clerics of the Russian Orthodox Church

• There are groups in Telegram through which you can follow the activities of anti-war activists in Russia (in Russian):

  • https://t.me/femagainstwar

  • https://t.me/vesna_democrat

  • https://t.me/msk_vesna

• On Facebook, conscientious objectors' organizations update quite actively:

  • https://www.facebook.com/stoparmy

  • https://www.facebook.com/netprizyvu

• On Twitter about the anti-war movement, e.g.:

  • https://twitter.com/OvdInfo

  • https://twitter.com/doxa_journal

  • https://twitter.com/SotaVision

  • https://twitter.com/loljanordic

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• European Bureau for Conscientious Objectors - EBCO

• War Resisters International - WRI

• International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons - ICAN

• Pax Christi International

• International Peace Bureau - IPB

• "No war in Ukraine! No war anywhere!" by 31 organisations of the Service Civil International network

• "ICAN: Putin placing Russian nuclear weapons on high alert is reckless, dangerous"
  Japanese version: https://peaceboat.org/40596.html
  Italian version: https://senzatomica.it/senza-categoria/senzatomica-putin-che-mette-le-armi-nucleari-russe-in-massima-allerta-e-sconsiderato-e-pericoloso/

• ECCHR - European center for constitutional and human rights statement

• South Korea NGOs statement

• Pressenza

• ICBUW Statement on the war in Ukraine

• WCC acting general secretary to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow: “raise up your voice so that the war can be stopped”

• WCC appeals to Patriarch Kirill to raise up his voice for peace

• World BEYOND War supports efforts to organize public nonviolent actions

• GPPAC-Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict statement on Russia's war against Ukraine

• Nonviolence International calls for asylum for war resisters

• Pax Christi and other international NGOs join an appeal, at the Council of Europe, for peace, democracy, and action to resolve the war in Ukraine.

• War Resisters' International Statement: solidarity with all those nonviolently resisting the war in Ukraine

• Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC): Christians Say No War

• Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC): Christian Call for Peace

• War Resisters' International expresses solidarity with all those resisting war and its causes.

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Team members of Napoli and Barcelona hold a banner that reads, "Stop War" during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Offs Leg Two match between SSC Napoli and FC Barcelona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 24, 2022 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images)

Farmers in the German town of Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia, created this XXL peace sign (120 meters) with their tractors. instagram.com/westfalenblatt / Moritz Winde

*Click here to read about IFOR voice for peace

IFOR reports to the UN the non-recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service in Turkmenistan

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation has just submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee a report on Turkmenistan regarding the right to conscientious objection to military service.

In particular, IFOR highlights the non-recognition of this right in the country and the consequent discrimination of conscientious objectors, as outlined by the individual cases mentioned in the text.

Along with the non-recognition of the CO right, other relevant issues are the imprisonment of conscientious objectors, the violation on the ne bis in idem principle and the torture and ill-treatment of prisoners.

The Report has been prepared for the adoption of the List of Issues which will be undertaken by the Committee at its 134th session which will take place in March.

Here you can have a look at the complete Report prepared by IFOR and published on the UN Committee webpage.

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Learn more about the States review procedure at the Human Rights Committee

The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties. It meets at the Palais Wilson and its Members serve in their personal capacity, not as representatives of their Governments.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966; it entered into force on 23 March 1976.

Here you can find an easy-to read version of the Covenant

The right to conscientious objection to military service inheres in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Art 18 of the Covenant. It entitles any individual to an exemption from compulsory military service if such service cannot be reconciled with his/her religion or beliefs. 

All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented.

Civil society organizations are invited to submit "alternative reports" and contribute to the review procedure.

The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of "concluding observations”.

The process of examining a report runs across two Committee sessions.

At the first session, reporting procedure are streamlined and a  “List of Issues” arising from the relevant report and other information supplied to the Committee is adopted.

The List of Issues addresses the most crucial matters regarding the enjoyment of Covenant rights in the relevant State and often seeks additional information with respect to key questions. The List of Issues is sent to the State party well in advance - at least one session ahead - of the session at which the report will be examined in the presence of representatives of the State party. 

Subsequently, the Committee is also often briefed, typically in an informal meeting, on views of members of civil society wishing to bring Committee members up to date on certain issues.

The Committee then proceeds to examine each report in a public constructive dialogue with a delegation of the relevant State party.

The examination begins by an opening presentation of the report by the State party’s delegation, often including a response to the List of Issues. Thereafter, Committee members put questions to the representatives, seeking to clarify or deepen understanding of issues arising concerning the implementation and enjoyment of Covenant rights in the State party.

After the conclusion of this dialogue, the Committee drafts detailed written concluding observations on the report in question. The concluding observations have the dual function of helping States to prepare future reports and helping the Committee to focus on the most 19 critical issues in future dialogues over future reports. All concluding observations are publicly available via the Treaty Bodies database of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf).

The Committee’s follow-up procedure complements and focuses the efforts of States parties and civil society subsequent to the adoption of concluding observations.

CAMPAIGNING FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND ASYLUM webinar series by IFOR-QUNO-WRI

IFOR is gladly inviting to the 5th webinar of the series "CAMPAIGNING FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION" which is organized together with Quaker United Nations Office and War Resisters' International.

IFOR is pleased to invite you to the 5th webinar in the series

"CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND ASYLUM"

Organized together with Quaker United Nations Office and War Resisters' International.

This 5th webinar will have a particular focus on conscientious objection and asylum.

We will start from the basic question "Why do people object?" and listen to some first-hand answers, and then we will address the issue of asylum which concerns many objectors who have to flee their countries because of persecutions and violations, as a consequence of their choice to refuse to serve in the military.

• International Fellowship of Reconciliation will share about some of its members testimonies on conscientious objection.

• War Resisters' International will present its publication on Conscientious Objection in Turkey, including contributions from conscientious objectors from Turkey who sought asylum in Europe.

• The Quaker United Nations Office will present their recent report "Conscientious Objection to Military Service and Refugee Status Determination.

This webinar will offer an opportunity to know more about the experience of objecting to military service and to explore ways to support objectors who are seeking asylum in different countries around the world. Participants will get insights on legal background, international standards and national context and will get information on further available resources.

Register here to get the link to connect and participate:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZEtcOyqrTwvHN0tYjpb9PMDJxgLT...

The event will be in English and last 1 hour and 30 minutes, including a Q & A section.

The webinar will be followed by a 30-minute community forum allowing a space for attendees to share any relevant updates about their work and countries and to inform on upcoming initiatives. 
Check the Facebook event here and spread the word.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

The webinar will be run in English.

You are welcome to register here to receive the link to join in online on the May 16th, and anticipate any possible questions you may have:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtcOyqrTwvHN0tYjpb9PMDJxgLTHz2LtX1fbclid=IwAR2X_uY6LyFwcyjGKgDbhsinpDzD6WY_4rvBt79FzNvYvjEoXbLaTmS8jgo

We invite you to share the invitation!
-through your networks and social media-
and to participate!

You can download the original flier here

You can find here the Fb event ready to be shared.

STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL-PALESTINE

IFOR STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL-PALESTINE

A fresh armed confrontation has emerged in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. In this region, however, history is never far away. This month marks the 73rd anniversary of the creation of Israel following the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution n. 181 (1947)¹, and the following so-called “Nakba” of 1947-48, where thousands of Palestinians lost their homes. This is still ongoing through forcible transfer, houses demolition, land grabbing and threats of further annexation of occupied land.

It is in this light that the current re-escalation of violence must be seen. Israeli authorities planned to evict Palestinian residents in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem - which Israel has annexed, even though it is occupied territory under international law - and transfer their homes to Israel settlers, Palestinians held demonstrations around East Jerusalem and Israeli forces responded by firing teargas, stun grenades, and rubber-coated steel bullets, including a violent attack against worshipers during Ramadan inside al-Aqsa Mosque². Hamas has launched rockets into Israel and  the Israelis' army responded with a massive military action in Gaza which has been under blockade since 2007 and where the pre-existing humanitarian situation is extremely fragile.³   

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) was founded over 100 years ago in response to the  horrors of the First World War. Since then, IFOR has taken a consistent stance against war and its preparation. When people, organizations and state institutions commit themselves to peace, war can be prevented, conflicts transformed through nonviolent means and systems that foster fear and hatred dismantled. When truth and justice are restored, reconciliation and healing can take place and lasting peace can be established.  

IFOR condemns all armed actions against civilians and civilian targets by the Israeli military and Hamas. Violence only leads to more violence. We mourn for all victims and their families.
The decades-long pattern of injustice, and violations of international law and fundamental rights has become unsustainable and inhumane.
IFOR welcomes this morning announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
IFOR supported the call for a ceasefire by the UN Secretary General, during the Security Council meeting held on May 16⁴; the UN chief stressed that the only way forward is to return to negotiations towards a two-State solution. Regrettably, the USA has reportedly blocked UNSC statements -for the third time in a week- that condemned Israel’s military response and called for a ceasefire⁵. 

The international community should be responsible for ensuring that there are no double standards when it comes to international law and human rights violations. While it shunned Hamas fifteen years ago, at the height of the ‘war on terrorism’, Israel has not honored UN General Assembly Resolution n. 194 (1948)⁶, nor has it complied with scores of the UN Security Council Resolutions including n. 242 (1967) and n. 338 (1973) calling for its withdrawal from the West Bank, including the illegal annexation of East Jerusalem, the Golan. Further UN Security Council Resolutions have also gone unheeded, including n. 2334 (2016), calling for the dismantlement of its settlements in "Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem”, which constitute a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law and have "no legal validity". These resolutions implore Israel to stop settlement activities, dismantle the settlements, and fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population into the land it is occupying. Currently, more than 675,000 Israelis are living in contravention of these resolutions, in settlements across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.   

The persistent, uneven application of international law should be a matter of the greatest urgency to governments around the world. As things stand, civil society fills the gap, expressing its concerns in ever sharper terms. Last month, Human Rights Watch issued a report denouncing Israel for apartheid and persecution.  

As the cycle of violence increases, IFOR takes heart from and highlights the value of nonviolent actions such as civil disobedience, boycott and non-collaboration; we report, for instance, the courage of the young Israelis who refuse to serve in the military not to support the occupation⁷ and the dockworkers refusing to load weapons onto ships bound for Israel not to support war⁸. Many in Israeli civil society and Jewish communities around the world⁹ denounce the human rights violations and support various nonviolent initiatives. We have also seen Palestinians running several nonviolent initiatives, insisting on a peaceful solution, refusing to no longer accept the violence and the destruction caused by the ongoing conflict.

IFOR calls on the governments in the region and around the world to assume their responsibility in upholding international law, contributing to a peaceful solution and considering the impact of their role in supplying weapons to the region, and thus backing armed confrontation and maintaining structural violence. IFOR calls on the Member States of the UN Security Council and the entire international community to support peace negotiations under UN supervision and to ensure the implementation of International law and Justice, in Israel and Palestine. 

You can download the full statement here.

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1. A/RES/181 (II) https://undocs.org/A/RES/181(II)

2. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/11/jerusalem-gaza-israeli-authorities-reassert-domination

3. https://www.un.org/unispal/humanitarian-situation-in-the-gaza-strip-fast-facts-ocha-factsheet/

4. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/05/1092042

5. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/17/no-us-action-after-third-unsc-meeting-on-israel-palestine

6. A/RES/194 states the “Right to return” for Palestinian refugees.  https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/un-documents/document/ip-ares-194.php

7.  https://www.972mag.com/sixty-teens-israeli-army-objectors/

8. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-palestine-arms-livorno-port-italy-b1848773.html

9. Including dozens of Jewish organizations such as B’Tselem, Jewish Voice for Peace, American Jews for a Just Peace, Gush Shalom, the New Israel Fund, the Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, the orthodox Neturei Karta.

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.

CAMPAIGNING FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: International Solidarity - the Case of Turkey webinar series by IFOR-QUNO-WRI

Este evento también se impartirá en español y turco, entra aquí para inscribirte.

Haz clic aquí para descargar el folleto en español y leer más sobre este evento.

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IFOR is gladly inviting to the 4th webinar of the series "CAMPAIGNING FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION" which is organized together with Quaker United Nations Office and War Resisters' International .

This new webinar will take place on May 14th 2021 at 4:30pm CEST and will focus on

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The Turkey Case

In Turkey the condition of conscientious objectors is defined as civil death because they are excluded by social, political and economic life.

We will hear from the Turkish organization for conscientious objection and from objectors who will share about their personal experience.

Guest Speakers Include:

• Dr Mine Yıldırım, Head of the Freedom of Belief Initiative, Norwegian Helsinki Committee

• Merve Arkun, Coordinator, Conscientious Objection Association, Turkey

• Seyda Can Yılmaz, Conscientious objector

• Onur Erden, Conscientious objector

• Ercan Jan Aktaş, Conscientious objectorWar Resisters' International

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

The webinar will be run in English and in Spanish.

You are welcome to register here to receive the link to join in online on the May 14th, and anticipate any possible questions you may have: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcld-2vrjktH9OKOVFc7g8q3k2sRCmOKYaC

We invite you to share the invitation!
-through your networks and social media-
and to participate!

You can download the original flier here

You can find here the Fb event ready to be shared.

CAMPAIGNING FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: PUBLIC AWARENESS", webinar series by IFOR-QUNO-WRI

Lea aquí sobre el seminario web sobre la Objeción de Conciencia al Servicio Militar que se llevará a cabo en inglés y español el 30 de marzo de 2021 y regístrese aquí.

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IFOR is gladly inviting to the 3rd webinar of the series "CAMPAIGNING FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION" which is organized together with Quaker United Nations Office and War Resisters' International .

This new webinar will take place on March 30th 2021 at 5pm CEST and will focus on “PUBLIC AWARENESS” because conscientious objection to military service is a human right and wherever there is any form of military service conscription people must be able to refuse to participate on grounds of conscience; moreover, because conscientious objectors around the world are still persecuted and jailed.

We will listen from activists around the world and particularly from:

• Murat Kanatli, Activist, Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus

• Esa Noresvuo, Organizational Coordinator, The Union of Conscientious Objectors, Finland

• Amnon Brownfield Stein, International Solidarity Coordinator, Mesarvot, Israel

The webinar will be run in English and in Spanish.

You are welcome to register here to receive the link to join in online on the March 30th, and anticipate any possible questions you may have:https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZIlduitqzIrHdcKWOroaMiHCanio...

We invite you to share the invitation!
-through your networks and social media-
and to participate!

You can download the original flier here

You can find here the Fb event ready to be shared.