After months of peace campaigning, the news has just been announced that a proposed Air Traffic Zone at Llanbedr to allow the British Royal Air Force to use the airfield has been halted. It was to be an extension to RAF Valley, which is “responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots ….to get pilots to the front line quicker.”
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.
New reports have been prepared for the upcoming 37th session of the UPR and both focusses on military recruitment and conscientious objection.
The submission concerning Austria raises, in particular the concern about the recruitment of 17-years old, contrary to international standards. The one on Georgia outlines the discrepancy between the duration of alternative service and that of military service, and about the independence of the bodies which assess conscientious objector claims; additionally there are concerns about the subjection of children of school age to military, including firearms, training.
Read the full text of the report submitted on Austria here and on Georgia here .
The 37th UPR session will take place in January 2021; NGOs will have the opportunity to directly engage at the pre-session scheduled for the end of this year.
More info about the previous UPR of Austria are available here and about Georgia here.
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) would like to invite you to participate to the second edition of the special program aimed to provide an opportunity to come and see the work of IFOR at the United Nations in Geneva and experience first-hand engagement within UN system.
The program will last one week, from Monday September 21st to Friday 25th 2020. It will run during the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Participants will learn more about IFOR work on conscientious objection at the UN, find out how civil society can fully engage at the UN and network.
We contemplate a group of about ten people, which can move about together between meetings without causing massive disruption and is also small enough to share reflections communally between formal meetings.
Have a look at the first edition here. Unfortunately, this year, due to the current situation concerning covid-19, the running of the program could be subject to changes accordingly to the possible developments of the ongoing pandemic.
The detailed program will be sent to the participants prior to the start of the program.
Arrival to Geneva on Monday 21st, International Peace Day!; program will start at 2pm with the collection of the UN badges and with a preliminary orientation session.
During the week the participants will attend to working sessions of the Human Rights Council -which include plenary meetings, negotiations of resolutions, side events-, assist in the drafting and delivering of oral statements, participate in informal meetings with partner NGOs, engage in advocacy initiatives.
The program will conclude on Friday 25th at lunch time.
Every day participants will have the possibility to meet together to exchange on the experience and deepen topics and procedures of interest with IFOR UN representatives.
*The programme will be detailed and updated with collateral proposals as needed.
IFOR has pre-arranged a double room accommodation with half board at the John Knox Centre which is located near the Palais des Nations, in Geneva. These costs (accommodation + breakfast + dinner) will be covered by IFOR through the Otto per Mille fund of the Waldensian Church. All participants will receive a free pass for local public transportation for the entire period.
Other costs shall be met by the participants and their organizations. We suggest a total of about 150 Swiss francs for basic local needs.
As to the traveling costs, thanks to the Waldensian grant we have a limited solidarity fund available for participants in need.
To apply you need to fill in the online form here
Deadline for application is JULY 24TH 2020.
The confirmation of the application will be notified to the candidates by JULY 31ST.
If necessary, we will give preference to:
a) those who are prepared to commit for the entire week
b) persons with a direct connection with IFOR
c) young people.
For further information you are welcome to contact Zaira Zafarana, coordinator of the program, at zaira.zafarana@ifor.org
NOTE: Given the current situation of the pandemic the program will run accordingly to the actual situation and safety measures in place. An ultimate confirmation, regarding the running of the program, will be given to the participants by August 19th.
The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) has been following recent and still-evolving circumstances in the USA that were triggered by the death of George Floyd, and at this time sends a message of solidarity to FOR USA and to all involved in peaceful and creative protest, with our deepest condolences to George Floyd’s family, friends and local community.
UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur David Kaye, and his counterpart from the Organization of American States (OAS), Edison Lanza, condemned the use of force against journalists reporting on demonstrations that have rocked cities across the US over the past two weeks following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, by police in Minneapolis.
They referred to the harassment, arrest and detention of media representatives covering protests against #SystemicRacism and #PoliceBrutality in the #UnitedStates.
David Kaye was appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in August 2014.
Edison Lanza, who is from Uruguay, has served as the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) since October 2014.
“We are deeply concerned that the militarisation of policing in the United States not only interferes with the right to peacefully assemble but also limits the ability of the press to cover protests”.
“It encourages law enforcement to see protesters and journalists as belligerents, and we strongly encourage demilitarisation and a reliance on international standards for the management of protests”.
“The targeting of media workers with lethal or less-lethal force for doing their work is prohibited under international human rights law and contrary to best policing standards. Those violating such rules must be subject to accountability and disciplinary processes.”
Here you can find their joint statement released on Wednesday:
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25946&LangID=E
Like and share on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation/posts/2637197406492115?notif_id=1591886755671450¬if_t=page_post_reaction
Chers amis et famille du IFOR,
Alors que la pandémie commençait à faire le tour de la planète, plusieurs personnes de différentes branches de International Fellowship of Reconciliation ont ressenti le besoin de s’enregistrer les unes sur les autres et de découvrir comment d’autres répondaient aux défis nouveaux et anciens de notre travail collectif pour la paix.
Au fur et à mesure que les conversations se développaient, nous nous sommes rendu compte que ces temps difficiles offrent l’occasion de créer un changement durable qui ferait de la paix la ”nouvelle normalité” grâce à:
COMPASSION: Prioriser la protection des pauvres et des personnes marginalisées.
RESPONSABILITÉ: Protéger les libertés civiles et les droits de l’homme.
CHANGEMENT: Utiliser l’élan de cette crise mondiale pour déplacer les ressources pour répondre aux besoins humains et favoriser une culture de non-violence et de paix.
Nous avons vite découvert que tous voulaient faire plus que partager des idées. Nous voulions prendre position, nous soutenir les uns les autres et parler pour la paix!
Le 19 mai, l’IFOR a envoyé une lettre ouverte à M. Antonio Guterres, Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies, approuvant son appel à un cessez-le-feu mondial et exhortant l’ONU et ses États membres à aller plus loin pour protéger les droits de l’homme et construire la paix.
À propos de la Journée d’Action
La Journée d’action s’intitule ”FAIS DE LA PAIX LA NOUVELLE NORMALITÉ” et mettra en évidence le besoin de compassion - responsabilité - changement. Par des actions grandes et petites, nous visons à sensibiliser le public à la nécessité de donner la priorité à la paix maintenant et à l’avenir.
Que vous soyez en confinement, en déplacement et en éloignement physique, ou que vous n'ayez pas encore été touché par COVID-19, il y a des choses que vous pouvez faire.
Nous invitons chacun à s'engager à l'un ou à l'ensemble des niveaux suivants :
ACTION COMMUNAUTAIRE: Créer un contexte communautaire parmi ceux dont la vulnérabilité est mise en évidence par le virus.
ACTION SPIRITUELLE: Fournir un point de concentration et de réflexion spirituelles.
ACTION POLITIQUE: Engager les politiciens, les décideurs politiques et les leaders d’opinion publique et les autorités sur la nécessité de faire de la paix la “nouvelle normalité“.
Veuillez décider des types d’activités que vous avez l’intention d’effectuer. Une liste d’activités est disponible sur le site Web de l’IFOR pour éveiller votre imagination. Vérifiez-le ici [ LISTE DES ACTIVITÉS]
Un thème commun est la nécessité de sensibiliser les gens au fait que nous nous activons. Sur les réseaux sociaux, nous connecterons nos efforts en utilisant l’hashtag #MPNN.
Façons de se joindre à la Journée d’Action
- Partagez LA GRAPHIQUE OFFICIEL [ LOGO CAMPAIGN, médias sociaux 1, médias sociaux 2, médias sociaux 3, médias sociaux 4] sur les médias sociaux ou par e-mail avec vos réseaux. (N’oubliez pas d’utiliser l’hashtag #MPNN et de IFOR (Fb@InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation)
- Téléchargez la Lettre ouverte de l’IFOR au Secrétaire Général de l’ONU et partagez-la, ou utilisez-la comme source d’inspiration pour écrire à votre gouvernement.
- Rejoignez la présidente de l’IFOR, Lotta Sjöström Becker, pour une "Pause de réflexion" diffusée en direct sur la page Facebook de l'IFOR https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation à 15 heures CEST (ou regardez la vidéo après !)
- Encouragez les sympathisants et les bénévoles à télécharger et imprimer l'affiche blanche de l'événement [ IMPRIMER] ou d'écrire à la main leur propre, et prenez un selfie avec celui-ci et publiez-le, en utilisant l’hashtag #MPNN
- Mettre en œuvre ces actions dans votre communauté! (N’oubliez pas de partager avec nous ce que vous faites en le publiant sous #MPNN et en taguant IFOR, ou en l’envoyant à iskra.ramirez@ifor.org!)
Mettez en évidence vos initiatives
Si vous faites quelque chose dans le cadre de "FAIS DE LA PAIX LA NOUVELLE NORMALITÉ" (MAKE PEACE THE NEW NORMAL #MPNN), mettez-le sous les projecteurs et faites-le savoir!
Publier sur les réseaux sociaux! (Photos, vidéos et nouvelles sont toutes sont super! Connectez-le au mouvement plus large en utilisant l’hashtag #MPNN et en taguant IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation!
Téléchargez nos graphiques officiels pour la Journée d’action disponible sur le site de l'IFOR [insert the link to the call publication only to be written in the email]
Envoyez vos photos, histoires et brèves descriptions de vos projets à l’Assistante de Communication de l’IFOR iskra.ramirez@ifor.org et FAITES-VOUS CONNAITRE sur la page Facebook de l’IFOR!
Partagez ce que font les autres membres de l’IFOR
Le 27 mai consultez la page Facebook IFOR et le hashtag #MPNN pour se connecter à ce que les gens font dans le monde entier font pour soutenir leurs communautés et promouvoir la compassion, la responsabilité et le changement dans le monde entier!
Avez-vous des questions ou des idées?
S’il vous plaît contacter iskra.ramirez@ifor.org pour vous assister avec vos idées et vos graphiques!
Anthony, Denis, Emma, Kyoko, John, Light, Lucia, Mathew, Max, Nathaly, Pete, Richard, Susan, Veronica, Zaira
NOTE: Cette traduction n'est pas professionnelle et a pour but de transmettre à tout le monde les principales informations sur l'initiative. Nous nous excusons pour les possibles erreurs de traduction et accueillons avec plaisir tout offerte de la part de ceux qui peuvent s'occuper des futures traductions.
Queridos amigos y miembros de la familia IFOR,
Desde que la pandemia comenzó su recorrido sobre nuestro planeta, varias personas de diferentes brancas de International Fellowship of Reconciliation percibieron la necesidad de comprobarse mutuamente y descubrir cómo otros respondían a nuevos y viejos problemas en nuestro trabajo colectivo por la paz.
A medida que las conversaciones han avanzado hemos advertido de que estos tiempos difíciles nos ofrecen la oportunidad de crear un cambio duradero que haría de la paz la "nueva normalidad" a través de:
COMPASION: Priorizar la protección de los pobres y marginados.
RESPONSABILIDAD: Protección de las libertades civiles y los derechos humanos.
CAMBIO: Utilizar el impulso de esta crisis mundial para transferir recursos para responder a las necesidades humanas y promover una cultura de no-violencia y paz.
"Pronto descubrimos que todos querían hacer más que compartir ideas. Queríamos tomar una posición, apoyarnos unos a otros y hablar por la paz ".
El 19 de mayo, la IFOR envió una carta abierta al Sr. Antonio Guterres, Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, en la que respaldaba su llamamiento a un alto el fuego mundial e instaba a las Naciones Unidas y a sus Estados Miembros a seguir avanzando para proteger los derechos humanos y construir la paz.
Acerca del Día de Acción
El Día de Acción se titula "HAZ DE LA PAZ LA NUEVA NORMALIDAD" y destacará la necesidad de compasión – responsabilidad – cambio. A través de acciones grandes y pequeñas, nuestro objetivo es crear conciencia sobre la necesidad de priorizar la paz ahora y en el futuro.
Ya sea que esté en bloqueo, moviéndose y distanciándose físicamente, o aún no se haya visto afectado por COVID-19, hay cosas que puede hacer.
Invitamos a todos a participar en cualquiera o en todos los siguientes niveles:
ACCION COMUNITARIA: Construir comunidad entre aquellos cuya vulnerabilidad es resaltada por el virus.
ACCION ESPIRITUAL: Proporcionar un punto de enfoque espiritual y reflexión.
ACCION POLITICA: Hacer la promoción con políticos, y líderes y autoridades de la opinión pública sobre la necesidad de hacer de la paz la "nueva normalidad".
Por favor, decida los tipos de actividad que desea llevar a cabo. Una lista de actividades está disponible en el sitio web de IFOR para despertar su imaginación. Míralo aquí. [LISTA DE ACTIVIDADES]
Un tema común es la necesidad de hacer que la gente sea consciente de que estamos tomando medidas. En los medios sociales, conectaremos nuestros esfuerzos usando el hashtag #MPNN
Formas de unirse al Día de Acción
- Compartir GRAPHIC OFICIAL [ LOGO, MEDIOS SOCIALES 1, 2, 3, 4 ] en los medios sociales o a través de correo electrónico con sus redes. (No olvides usar el hashtag #MPNN y etiquetar IFOR (Fb@InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation)
- Descargue la Carta Abierta de la IFOR al Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas y compártala, o utilizarla como inspiración para escribir a su gobierno.
- Únase a la presidenta de IFOR, Lotta Sjöström Becker, para una transmisión en vivo de "Pausa para la reflexión" en la página de Facebook de IFOR https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation a las 3 pm CEST (¡o vea el video después!)
- Animar a los simpatizantes y voluntarios a descargar e imprimir el cartel oficial del evento [IMPRIME] o escribir a mano el suyo propio - y tomar un selfie con él y publicarlo, utilizando el hashtag #MPNN.
- ¡Implementa estas acciones en tu comunidad! (No se olvide de compartir con nosotros lo que está haciendo mediante la publicación bajo #MPNN y etiquetado IFOR, o envíalo a iskra.ramirez@ifor.org!)
Resalte sus iniciativas
Si estás haciendo algo dentro del alcance de "Haz de la Paz la Nueva Normalidad" (MAKE PEACE THE NEW NORMAL #MPNN), ponlo en el centro de atención y hazlo conocido!
¡Publicar en las redes sociales! (Las imágenes, los vídeos y los cuentos son geniales! Conéctalo al movimiento más grande usando el hashtag #MPNN y etiquetando IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation!
Descargue nuestros gráficos oficiales para el Día de Acción disponible en el sitio web de IFOR. al final de esta publicacion.
¡Envía tus fotos, historias y descripciones breves de tus proyectos al Asistente de Comunicaciones de IFOR iskra.ramirez@ifor.org y GET FEATURED en la página de Facebook de IFOR!
Comparta lo que otros miembros de IFOR están haciendo
El 27 de mayo, consulte la página de Facebook de IFOR y el hashtag #MPNN para conectarse con lo que las personas de todo el mundo están haciendo para apoyar a sus comunidades y promover la compasión, la responsabilidad y el cambio en todo el mundo!
¿Tienes preguntas o ideas?
Por favor, póngase en contacto con iskra.ramirez@ifor.org para obtener apoyo con sus ideas y gráficos!
Anthony, Denis, Emma, Kyoko, John, Light, Lucia, Mathew, Max, Nathaly, Pete, Richard, Susan, Veronica, Zaira
NOTA: Esta traducción no es profesional y tiene por objeto transmitir a todo el mundo la información principal sobre la iniciativa. Nos disculpamos por cualquier error de traducción y agradecemos cualquier posible oferta de aquellos que puedan realizar futuras traducciones.
Dear Friends and IFOR family,
As the pandemic began to make its way around the planet, several people from different branches within the International Fellowship of Reconciliation felt the need to check in on each other and find out how others were responding to new and old challenges within our collective work for peace.
As the conversations developed we realized that these challenging times provide an opportunity to create a lasting change that would make peace the “new normal” through:
COMPASSION: Prioritizing the protection of poor and marginalized people.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Protecting civil liberties and human rights.
CHANGE: Using the momentum of this global crisis to shift resources to meet human needs and foster a culture of nonviolence and peace.
We soon discovered that all wanted to do more than share ideas. We wanted to take a stand, support each other and speak for peace!
On May 19th, IFOR sent an open letter to Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, endorsing his call for a global ceasefire and urging the UN and its Member States to go further to protect human rights and build peace.
About the Day of Action
The Day of Action is titled “MAKE PEACE THE NEW NORMAL” and will highlight the need for compassion – accountability – change. Through actions big and small, we aim to raise awareness about the necessity to prioritize peace now and in the future.
Whether you are in lockdown, moving about and physically distancing, or have yet to be impacted by COVID-19, there are things you can do.
We invite everyone to engage at any or all of following levels:
COMMUNITY ACTION: Build community among those whose vulnerability is highlighted by the virus.
SPIRITUAL ACTION: Provide a point of spiritual focus and reflection.
POLITICAL ACTION: Engage politicians, policy makers and public opinion leaders and authorities about the need to make peace the “new normal”.
Please decide on the types of activity you intend to carry out. A list of activities is available at the end of this post. Scroll down.
One common theme is the need to make people aware that we are taking action. On social media, we will connect our efforts by using the hashtag #MPNN.
Ways to join the Day of Action
- Share THE OFFICIAL GRAPHIC [ LOGO CAMPAIGN, Facebook 1 and Facebook 2, Instagram 1 and Instagram 2, Twitter 1 and Twitter 2] on Social Media or via Email with your networks. (Don’t forget to use the Hashtag #MPNN and to tag IFOR (Fb @InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation)
- Download IFOR’s Open Letter to the UN Secretary-General and share it, or use it as an inspiration to write to your government.
- Join IFOR president Lotta Sjöström Becker for a live “Pause for Reflection” broadcast on IFOR’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFellowshipofReconciliation at 3 pm CEST (or watch the video afterwards!)
- Encourage supporters and volunteers to download and print the white event poster [PRINT THIS] or to handwrite their own – and take a selfie with it and post it, using the hashtag #MPNN
- Implement these actions in your community! (Don’t forget to share with us what you are doing by posting it under #MPNN and tagging IFOR, or sending it to iskra.ramirez@ifor.org!)
Highlight your initiatives
If you are doing something within the scope of “Make Peace the New Normal” (#MPNN), put it in the spotlight and make it known!
Post on social media! (Pictures, videos and short stories are all are great! Connect it to the larger movement by using the hashtag #MPNN and tagging IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation!
Download our official graphics for the Day of Action available on IFOR website.
Send in your pictures, stories, and short descriptions of your projects to IFOR Communications Assistant iskra.ramirez@ifor.org and GET FEATURED on the IFOR Facebook Page!
Share what other IFOR members are doing
On May 27th check the IFOR Facebook Page and the hashtag #MPNN to connect with what people around the globe are doing to support their communities and promote compassion, accountability and change worldwide!
Got Questions or Ideas?
Please contact us at iskra.ramirez@ifor.org for support with your ideas and graphics!
Anthony, Denis, Emma, Kyoko, John, Light, Lucia, Mathew, Max, Nathaly, Pete, Richard, Susan, Veronica, Zaira
Open letter to U.N. Secretary-General H. E. Mr. António Guterres and in copy to the U.N. General Assembly
His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres
Secretary-General United Nations
Headquarters New York City
19th May 2020
Dear Mr. Secretary-General,
We are writing to you as International Fellowship of Reconciliation, a global movement seeking to transform, through nonviolence, the world away from endless cycles of violence towards justice, rec- onciliation, and lasting peace. As a concerned international NGO, accredited to the UN ECOSOC, we are writing to you to express our appreciation for your efforts dealing with the current health crisis in the world and to share some of our thoughts with you at this difficult time. We join with you in recognizing "the fury of [COVID-19] illustrates the folly of war," and we thank you for your leadership in calling for a global ceasefire as a first step to “end the sickness of war”. We are encouraged that your call has resonated with millions across the world, and gained endorse- ments from 70 Member States, with expressions of acceptance from parties to conflict, and non-state actors as well. We call on all UN member States to support Your appeal, to the General Assembly and to the Security Council, and put it into practice.
The pandemic has revealed the single common vulnerability of humankind, which knows no border. We who are but one of the species on the planet earth must shun our urge for identity superiority or risk even more devastating pandemics. With this shattered illusion of separateness, humanity cannot tolerate war and violence anywhere, as it threatens health and peace for everyone everywhere. Coun- tries are grappling internally with political, economic, racial, and social divides that exacerbate efforts to contain the virus, while inequity in the global community reveals the new depths of suffering in countries that already bear the brunt of the pain caused by climate change, hunger, economic sanctions and exploitation, and armed conflicts.
While the impact of COVID-19 on the countries where we have active members has varied, together, we affirm the urgency for a new and creative way forward that builds human security globally through health, economic justice and peace. We therefore appeal:
1. Prioritize the protection of poor and marginalized people. Economic inequality increases the impact of the pandemic and sets the stage for more devastation with the risk of even greater lethality. For instance, underinvestment in healthcare means many countries are unable to meet the simple challenge of providing personal protective equipment to those in
need. Concentrated poverty means sheltering in isolation, and for women and children locked down with abusers, it promises new levels of violence, abuse, and death.
2. Protect civil liberties and human rights. Emergency legislation rushed through in many countries may serve as cover for oppressive measures and the violation of human rights. Traditionally marginalized communities are forgotten or ignored, and vulnerable people are cut off from official support. We urge you, Mr. Secretary-General, to prioritize and support the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet to adapt the global index for human rights to ensure that it monitors abuses in a world now reshaped by COVID-19 legislation. We urge you to call on all member States for accountability.
3. Use the momentum of this global crisis to shift resources to meet human needs and create lasting peace. Weapons of war cannot defeat a virus, address climate change, nor solve any other world problem. As States pursue ‘business as usual’ military strategies to contain the virus and create security, the world wastes opportunities to coalesce around creative responses that match the grave nature of this crisis, like protecting the most vulnerable from harsh economic impacts and working in solidarity to ensure global health emergency preparedness. These are the kinds of creative responses that lead to lasting peace. We call for disarmament and a major reduction in military spending worldwide, starting with the abolition of all nuclear weapons. We call for the conversion of military industry to civilian production and for the end of exports of weapons to states at war or violating human rights. Humanity will thrive with equitable local community investment and the shift from funding warfare to funding healthcare and peace. We urge the United Nations to invest more capacity and financial support in nonviolent conflict transformation, mediation and Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping.
Now is the time to create a “new normal” built on a culture of peace and non-violence. We call for global bridge-building and cooperation, and global leadership encouraging increased global solidarity. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals recognize the interconnected reality of our world. With branches, groups, and affiliates in more than 40 countries, IFOR offers its support to UN agencies in achieving these goals. By highlighting the centrality of peace to a world free from poverty and inequalities, the SDGs challenge the world to put into practice a new way of thinking. Addressing the issues named above ensures that nations can create roadmaps out of COVID-19 that leave no one behind.
We wish you well and further success in your work.
Charlotte Sjöström Becker
President of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation
*The present Letter has been sent in cc to H. E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, current president of the U.N. General Assembly and to the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council.
#CODay2020
#ConscientiousObjection has been at the core of IFOR original engagement for a culture of peace ever since 1914 and constitutes the roots of the fellowship together with nonviolence and reconciliation.
#ObjectionDeConscience a été au cœur de l'engagement original de l'IFOR pour une culture de la paix depuis 1914 et constitue les racines de la fellowship avec la non-violence et la réconciliation.
#ObjeciónDeConciencia ha sido el núcleo del empeño original de IFOR por una cultura de paz desde 1914 y constituye las raíces de la fellowship junto con la nonviolencia y la reconciliación.
The Right to Conscientious Objection is not yet recognized in all countries and wherever it is, its implementation is not always meeting international standards. There are therefore conscientious objectors whose rights are violated in different ways and countries’ situation to report about. It is vital to uphold conscientious objectors around the world and to promote the recognition and implementation of the right to conscientious objection.
One critical contribution that the International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR makes is that it maintains a permanent representation at the United Nations in Geneva which focuses primarily on conscientious objection to military service. IFOR is supported on this particular work by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and coordinates closely with War Resisters' International, the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva, the EBCO - European Bureau for Conscientious Objection and others.
Here you can find a Q&A on conscientious objection to provide some general information on the subject and to encourage an ongoing conversation on this right and its implementation.
Below you can find a list of video-testimonies from objectors, which are part of an online action organized by War Resisters’ International office, together with Connection e.V.:
“Refuse to Kill: Video collection for International Conscientious Objection Day”
· Armin Lauven, Pax Christi, Germany: Active for conscientious objectors and deserters worldwide - https://youtu.be/RlB9GzmYC10
· Beran İşçi, Turkey/Germany: My asylum case as conscientious objector is regarded as non-political - https://youtu.be/nNL0p4Bvxec
· Berndt Püschel and Heiko Marx, Germany: International Deserters’ Network goes to the Sky – https://youtu.be/_-oLsKVtnq
· Bob Meola, U.S.: Resistance to the draft to the Vietnam war was an ultimate stand to say No - https://youtu.be/PH0qBezU76M
· Connection e.V., Germany: Conscientious Objectors and Deserters Need Asylum - https://youtu.be/HNFWg9fY44I
· Dustin Hausner, U.S., New York: We need to support people who do not want to commit atrocities - https://youtu.be/fGICgtA5nmY
· Daniel Rezene, Eritrea/Switzerland: Recognize conscientious objection as a ground for asylum - https://youtu.be/LFcabVebPb8
· Deutsche Welle / +90, Turkey: Being a Conscientious Objector
- https://youtu.be/vLkw9hOf7zE
· EBCO in Peace House, Brussels, contributions from various countries: Spot on Conscientious Objection - https://youtu.be/WVw3aULFiqI
· EBCO/Movimento Nonviolento, contributions from various countries: Military Distancing Spot - https://youtu.be/SHdM6vFG3uU
· Emanuel Matondo, Angola/Germany: I knew that war is a crime and then I refused the military service - https://youtu.be/Ahz6Joruxz4
· Ercan Aktaş, Turkey/France: I came to France in October 2017 and never returned - https://youtu.be/KWX7KIMV0u4
· Gunter Schmidt, painter, Germany: I always wished, war was finally dead - https://youtu.be/gdY0mnM957w
· Halil Savda, Turkey/Cyprus: I dream of a nonviolent and free world
- https://youtu.be/t3OSFQwSjJ8
· Heinz Bartjes, Germany: Conscientious Objectors were seen as wimps and sissies - https://youtu.be/JWASZIL1SiU
· Helen Kidan, Eritrea/United Kingdom: People are fleeing indefinite military service in Eritrea - https://youtu.be/cyMK822yJxU
· Hüseyin Civan, Turkey: I reject conscription and war as an antimilitarist and anarchist - https://youtu.be/oTNzwCZgYMg
· IDK, Germany: Views on our work
- https://youtu.be/6ijTOVQ_Xb0
· La Tulpa, Colombia: The antimilitarist collective speaks about militarization and patriarchal society - https://youtu.be/xMz0o5Z9emw
· Lewis M. Randa, U.S.: Conscientious objection is a code word for love, for sanity, for being human - https://youtu.be/pbJ152U3nHY
· Marcela Paz and Rocio Elisabeth, Chile: We want a world without war, without borders and without violence - https://youtu.be/9YrDPsp9L-A
· Mertcan Güler and his Boss, Turkey/Germany: We both reject to go to army - https://youtu.be/GsaeZCmOo1g
· Merve Arkun, Turkey: Conscientious is an anti-war action for women and the rejection of male-dominated codes
- https://youtu.be/a_pm5cQ5tjg
· Nuri Silay, Cyprus: Wherever in the world we call everyone to refuse to be part of the military- https://youtu.be/YYVSN6lgCIY
· Pedro Polo, Spain: We are not soldiers, we are queers
- https://youtu.be/33E3qxawdmI
Links to conscientious objection initiatives which took place on #CODay2020:
WRI and other organizations
https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2020/coday-2020-showing-solidarity-conscientious-objectors-everywhere
BEOC campaign #MilitaryDistancing
https://www.ebco-beoc.org/node/465
Peace Pledge Union initiative, together with FoR England and Scotland and others
https://www.ppu.org.uk/international-conscientious-objectors-day
Vicdani Ret Derneği, Turkish member of BEOC, (video subtitled in English)
https://vicdaniret.org/vr-der-savassiz-bir-dunya-hayal-etmeye-devam-ediyor-ve-herkesi-bu-hayali-gercek-kilmaya-cagiriyoruz/
Additional thematic info:
“The Men Who Said No” Peace Pledge Union's project.
https://menwhosaidno.org/men/names_intro.html
EBCO's annuale Report on conscientious objection.
https://ebco-beoc.org/sites/ebco-beoc.org/files/attachments/2020-02-14-EBCO%20_Annual_Report_2019.pdf
