IFOR speaks on refuse to war and #ConscientiousObjection in Ukraine at the 47th UN Human Rights Council

#IFORatUN #47HRC #ConscientiousObjection #FreedomExpression #Ukraine

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR is participating in the 47th session of the Human Rights Council which is taking place in Geneva UN Headquarter.

Today, Friday July 9th, IFOR has participated in the Interactive Dialogue on human rights in Ukraine and has delivered an oral statement in the plenary highlighting violations to the Right to #ConscientiousObjection to military service in Ukraine and referring the case of the pacifist journalist Ruslan Kotsaba (Руслан Коцабa) who is again under trial because he expressed opposition to the military mobilization for armed conflict in eastern Ukraine and recently, on June 25th, has been victim of an attack with a chemical substance by a far-right group.

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Human Rights Council, 47th Session 

Geneva, 9th July 2021 

Item 10: Interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on Ukraine (HRC res. 41/25)  and interim report of Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Crimea (GA res. 75/192) 

Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. 

Thank you Madam President. 

International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) thanks the High Commissioner and Her office for the oral  presentation on Ukraine and as well the Secretary General and His office for its report. 

We express concern about the militarization in the country, the increase of draftees enlisted planned for the  2021 military draft and the ongoing violations of the right to conscientious objection to military service. 

Alternative service, for instance, in Ukraine has a punitive and discriminatory character and it is hardly  accessible. 

IFOR would like to draw again1the 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 trial2because of a video posted in 2015 to express opposition to the military mobilization for armed conflict in eastern Ukraine3. 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. 

On June 25th he was victim of an attack with the green chemical "Seljonka" by a neo-Nazi group at the Ivano Frankivsk railway station and received ophthalmological treatment at the hospital.4[Unfortunately, the attack  on Ruslan Kotsaba is not the only act of violence against Ukrainian activists in recent times.] 

As already highlighted by IFOR5, “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.” 

Thank you. 

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1. Oral statement delivered by IFOR during the 45th Human Rights Council - Interactive Dialogue on the oral presentation of the report on the  situation of human rights in Ukraine on December 18th 2020. 

2. 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. 

3. Ruslan Kotsaba was arrested on 7 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/ 

4. https://www.coe.int

5. 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.

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Here you can download the original text.

It is possible to watch the session here (IFOR statement is at 04:16:14)

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The case of Ruslan Kotsaba.

Ruslan Kotsaba recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International back in 2015. His case is in the spotlight of the Council of Europe Platform on the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists.

The June 25th attack on Ruslan Kotsaba has not been the first one, unfortunately.

About this episode, more information and an interview with the victim concerned are available here.

On January 22nd 2021, the pacifist journalist 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.

Here you can find some additional information on recent IFOR initiatives in solidarity with this pacifist journalist.

Here you can read about the statement that IFOR has previously delivered in the plenary at the UN Human Rights Council in December 2020 during a special Interactive Dialogue on Ukraine, reporting on the case of Ruslan Kotsaba.

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.

Recap of IFOR participation in the 46th UN Human Rights Council

The International Secretariat is pleased to present a summary of IFOR's recent involvement at the UN, in particular at the Human Rights Council. 

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. The Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly and meets three times a year at the UN Office in Geneva. 

The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council has just concluded its working meetings. This session started on February 22nd and ended on March 24th and, due to the pandemic, the participation of the member States and civil society representatives has been mainly online. 
What follows is a list of the oral statements delivered or co-sponsored by IFOR during the session. At this session IFOR addressed issues such as conscientious objection to military service, criminalization of solidarity, migration, civil disobedience, nuclear disarmament, human rights defenders, militarization, SDGs 2030, and referred to local concerning situation in countries such as Belarus, Colombia, Eritrea, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkey and Western Sahara. 
This is one piece of the work that IFOR does within the United Nations system; you can find out more by visiting our website. 

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IFOR speaks on the tragedy of the Eritrean refugees in the Tigray region and to the Eritrean indefinite National Service; 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Click here for more information and to read the original statement

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IFOR takes the floor at 46th UN HRC during the general debate with the High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Michelle Bachelet.

Click here for more information and to read the original statement

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IFOR joins a statement on the violation of human rights of migrants and refugees in the Balkan Route: 46th UN HRC

Click here for more information and to read the original statement

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IFOR joins in a call to the UN member States to "MOVE THE MONEY OUT OF MILITARY, TO FOOD"

Click here for more information and to read the original statement

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IFOR at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council: "immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned conscientious objectors"

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IFOR addresses SDGs 2030, civil disobedience and conscientious objection at the UN 46th HRC

Click here for more information and to read the original statement

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IFOR stands with human rights defenders and addresses the case of Buenaventura in Colombia, at the 46th Human Rights Council.

Click here for more information and to read the original statement

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All statements are available in the original language of delivery.
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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.

IFOR submits report on Greece and Tajikistan to the UN 39th UPR, addressing conscientious objection and related issues

IFOR has prepared and submitted to the UN two reports for the upcoming 39th session of the Universal Periodic Review of Greece and Tajikistan which will take place in Autumn.

Greece has a longstanding record of violations of the right to conscientious objection to military service and other human rights of conscientious objectors.

The new government has moved towards annulling recent positive amendments about conscientious objectors, such as the reduction of the length of alternative civilian service by the previous government.

In Greece alternative service is still punitive and discriminatory and there is a lack of independence and impartiality in the assessment of applications for conscientious objector status.

In Tajikistan the right to conscientious objection is still not recognized, although in 2004 the UN Human Rights Committee recommended that the State party should take all necessary measures to recognize the right of conscientious objectors to be exempted from military service.

All recorded conscientious objectors in Tajikistan are Jehovah's Witnesses and this religious minority is the only available source of information.

The submission addresses the issues of the right to conscientious objection to military service, arbitrary detention of conscientious objectors, the right of the child and underage recruitment.

You can read the complete report on Greece here.

You can read the complete report on Tajikistan here.

IFOR stands with human rights defenders and addresses the case of Buenaventura in Colombia, at the 46th Human Rights Council

El 15 de marzo de 2021 el Movimiento Internacional de Reconciliación - International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR ha abordado la situación en Colombia y ha pedido a los Estados miembros del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU y a la Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos que presten atención a las violaciones en Buenaventura.
La declaración ha sido pronunciada en el plenario de la 46ª sesión del CDH por María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, una defensora de los derechos humanos colombiana que ha recibido recientemente amenazas por su trabajo; María Eugenia colabora con Presencia de Paz Peace Presence y es miembro de Conpaz.
Puedes ver la declaracion grabada aqui.

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On March 15th International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR addressed the situation in Colombia and called on the member States of the UN Human Rights Council and on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights "to give attention to the violations in Buenaventura (Colombia), an area where there are many foreign economic interests and to urge the national government to implement the peace agreement, to dismantle the surviving structures of paramilitarism, to fulfil the Acuerdo del Paro Cívico de Buenaventura and to prioritise social investment and not militarisation."
The statement has been delivered in the plenary of the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, by María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, a Colombian human rights defender who has recently received threats for her work; María Eugenia collaborates with Peace Presence and is a member of Conpaz.

Human Rights Council, 46th session
Geneva, 15 March 2021
Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council's attention
Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Madam President,

The Final Peace Agreement was an important step towards overcoming the social and armed conflict. However, the government's unwillingness to implement it has made the human rights situation increasingly deplorable.
According to the report presented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "In 2020, 76 massacres were documented, involving the death of 292 people, and 248 peace signatories have been killed". 1
My name is María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, family member of a victim, human rights defender and member of the Association of Victims Communities Building Peace in Colombia 2.
In this opportunity we present a situation that requires the Council's attention, the case of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, where human rights violations, threats, assassinations, forced disappearances, extortion, displacement, dismemberment, confinement, recruitment, sexual violence and expropriation of collective territories are on the rise. Terror is imposed by paramilitary-type structures that operate despite heavy militarisation.
In this context, in January I received threats 3, which are directly related to my work of accompaniment and defence of human rights in this part of the country.
We call on the Member States and the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to pay attention to these situations of violations in Buenaventura, an area where there are many foreign economic interests; to exhort the national government to implement the Peace Agreement, to dismantle the remaining paramilitary structures; to comply with the Acuerdo del Paro Cívico de Buenaventura 4, to prioritise social investment and not militarisation.

Thank you.

 [Translated from the original in Spanish]

1. https://www.hchr.org.co/documentoseinformes/informes/altocomisionado/HRC46-Informe-anual- 2020_traduccion-no-oficial.pdf

2. CONPAZCOL https://comunidadesconpaz.wordpress.com/

3. FOR Peace Presence y otras organizaciones escribieron una carta pública sobre estas amenazas

4. https://www.mininterior.gov.co/content/gobierno-logra-acuerdos-para-levantar-el-paro-civico-en-buenaventura

• You can download the English version of the statement here

• You can download the original statement in Spanish here

• You can watch the recording of this General Debate of the session of the Human Rights Council here (IFOR's statement is at 02:35:59)

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IFOR collaborates with both organizations for the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of peace.

CONPAZ - Comunidades Construyendo Paz en Colombia is a network of 140 victims’ organizations, present in 14 departments where the armed conflict still continues. Apart from its challenging work to strengthen community processes CONPAZ has presented decisive contributions to the peace negotiations in Havana, and is worried about its security situation.

In the framework of the peace negotiations CONPAZ proposed an alternative model of transitional justice, restorative justice, focused on reconciliation and investigation of the truth.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence (FORPP) is a non governmental organization dedicated to providing international accompaniment to communities and individuals at risk in Colombia who are working to promote human rights, peace and justice.

FOR Peace Presence provides physical safety, political visibility and solidarity by accompanying communities and organizations that embrace active nonviolence to defend life, land and dignity. FORPP started as a program of IFOR's U.S.A. branch and then, in 2014, FOR Peace Presence constituted itself as an independent organization.

IFOR addresses SDGs 2030, civil disobedience and conscientious objection at the UN 46th HRC

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR submitted the following statement to the ongoing 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

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Human Rights Council, 46th Session Geneva, 9th March 2021
Item 3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
Oral statement submitted by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Madam President,

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030)[1] are a universal call to action to protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. There are interconnections between all those goals and there is no way we can achieve them unless member States are willing to address injustice, social injustice, climate injustice and to stop wars.

We would like to highlight the concerning links between climate change, hunger, economic sanctions and exploitation, and armed conflicts.[2]

We hear of wars in too many places such as Syria, for instance, as well of violence against protesters such as in Myanmar, Hong Kong and Belarus.

Civil disobedience is a nonviolent tool to resist to violence and injustice; many groups around the world are engaging in nonviolent actions to ask their governments or regimes to respect and restore their human rights. Protesters cannot be shot.

We would also like to draw the attention of this Council to the protection of the right of those who refuse to kill which is still seriously lacking.

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO)[3], highlighted in its annual report[4], that in 2020 conscientious objectors to military service continue to be persecuted and imprisoned in various countries.

In Turkey, Eritrea and Singapore, for instance, the right is not recognized. Turkish objectors are facing a situation of “civil death”[5] which excludes them from social, cultural and economic life.

[In other countries, like Turkmenistan, there is no alternative to compulsory military service[6]. 

In some countries where the right is formally recognized, like in Finland, Israel and Greece, the alternative service provided is often punitive in nature and the decision-making procedures are in contrast with the international standards.]

IFOR calls on all member States to protect the right to conscientious objection to military service in all countries. 

Thank you.

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[1] https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
[2] http://www.ifor.org/news/2020/5/19/ifor-open-letter-to-the-un-secretary-general.
[3] https://ebco-beoc.org/.
[4] EBCO’s annual report, covering the region of Council of Europe (CoE), is available at https://ebco-beoc.org/node/491.
[5] The situation of conscientious objectors is defined as “civil death” by European Court of Human Rights. (Ulke v. Turkey, application no. 39437/98).
[6] https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2025552.html.

You can download the complete statement here

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IFOR actively collaborates with EBCO which is the European network for groups and organizations dealing with conscientious objection. EBCO offers support to objectors and engages on advocacy initiatives within the Council of Europe.

IFOR provides assistance at the UN and is currently collaborating with the EBCO's board for related issues.

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) was founded in 1979 as an umbrella organisation for national associations of conscientious objectors, with the aim of promoting collective campaigns for the release of the imprisoned conscientious objectors and lobbying the European governments and institutions for the full recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service.

EBCO, on an yearly basis, releases an Annual Report on the situation of conscientious objection in the Council of Europe geographical area.

You can find details on the 2020 Annual Report here

IFOR has been closely involved in the redaction of such Reports in the past years as part of the ongoing IFOR project on conscientious objection funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust - JRCT.

You can find more information on EBCO here