WEBINAR #1 "20 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT IN COLOMBIA"

IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation, together with FOR Peace Presence and FOR Austria, is pleased to invite you to the

WEBINAR #1 of the ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SERIES

Click here to download flyer

“20 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT IN COLOMBIA”

February 26th 2022 at 5pm CET (UTC+1) on Zoom

This webinar #1 will focus on international accompaniment and will present the 20 years’ experience of FOR Peace Presence.

The webinar will address the local context, the need for international accompaniment, the perspective of accompanied person, the experience of past and present accompaniers and will explore more on challenges and their development through two decades; participants will have the opportunity to hear about different contexts of action and learn about the new approach FORPP is implementing and opportunities for interested people.

Our main speakers will be:

• Peter Cousins, IFOR vice-president and former FORPP accompanier

• Gildardo Tuberquia, Peace Community of San José de Apartadó

• Jutta Meier-Wiedenbach and Chris Moore-Backman, former FORPP accompaniers

• María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, accompanied person and current FORPP accompanier

• Michaela Soellinger, FOR Austria and current FORPP accompanier

• Manuel Müller, FORPP program director

Throughout the online meeting, participants will have the possibility to ask questions to the speakers and in the last part of the webinar, during the open forum, all interested people will be welcomed to contribute on the topic of international accompaniment and share their own -and their organizations- experience.

Register here and participate!  

After you registered, you will receive by email the link to connect on Zoom on the 26th and further details on WEBINAR #1. 

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Webinar #1 - "20 years of international accompaniment in Colombia" 

Program

Welcoming

1st part

PRESENTATION #1 : Historical insight into the international accompaniment by FOR Peace Presence

  Peter Cousins, IFOR vice-president and former FOR Peace Presence accompanier

PRESENTATION #2: International accompaniment in the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó 

  Gildardo Tuberquia, Peace Community of San José de Apartadó

2nd part

TESTIMONIES: interview with former and current FOR Peace Presence accompaniers

   Jutta Meier-Wiedenbach and Chris Moore-Backman, María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos y Michaela Soellinger

3rd part

PRESENTATION #3: FOR Peace Presence in today Colombian context

  Manuel Müller, FOR Peace Presence program coordinator

  María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, accompanied person and current FOR Peace Presence accompanier

  Michaela Soellinger, FOR Austria and current FOR Peace Presence accompanier

OPEN FORUM: exchange on international accompaniment

Closing

*Q&As moderated throughout the meeting

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The webinar series will be in English and Spanish with 3 languages interpretation, including French as well.

The webinar series celebrates 25 years of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and 20 years of FOR Peace Presence.

The aim of this webinar series is to raise awareness on current Colombian issues, give voice to the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and provide an opportunity to share lessons learned on international accompaniment which can also be applied in other contexts; thus, build stronger connection and solidarity and learn how to best collaborate globally and locally for human rights and peacebuilding.

This webinar #1 will be followed by another in March and one more in April.

More info on the ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SERIES are available here. 

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR, a centenary spiritual based peace movement, engages on the field of human rights at the international level within the UN system where it holds a consultative status and partners together with local organizations to support local efforts and report on human rights issues.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence-FORPP (IFOR’s affiliate) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing international accompaniment to communities and individuals at risk in Colombia who embrace active nonviolence working to promote human rights, peace and justice.

The Austrian Fellowship of Reconciliation-FOR Austria (Internationaler Versöhnungsbund), as part of the international peace movement, actively works non-violently for a just and sustainable peace. Since 2006 FOR Austria accompanies communities and human rights defenders in Colombia in collaboration with FOR Peace Presence.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER AND PASS ALONG THE WORD!

You are welcome to also share on Fb here

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IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation, 

junto con FOR Peace Presence y FOR Austria, se alegra de invitarle al 

WEBINAR #1 de la SERIE DE WEBINARIOS DEL ANIVERSARIO

Descarga el flyer aquí

"20 AÑOS DE ACOMPAÑAMIENTO INTERNACIONAL EN COLOMBIA"

26 de febrero de 2022 a las 17 horas CET (UTC+1) en Zoom

Este webinar #1 se centrará en el acompañamiento internacional y presentará la experiencia de 20 años de FOR Peace Presence.

El webinar abordará el contexto local, la necesidad del acompañamiento internacional, la perspectiva de la persona acompañada, la experiencia de los acompañantes pasados y presentes y explorará más sobre los desafíos y su desarrollo a través de dos décadas; los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de escuchar sobre diferentes contextos de acción y aprender sobre el nuevo método que FORPP está implementando y las oportunidades para las personas interesadas.

Nuestros principales ponentes serán

- Peter Cousins, vicepresidente de IFOR y antiguo acompañante del FORPP

- Gildardo Tuberquia, Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó

- Jutta Meier-Wiedenbach y Chris Moore-Backman, antiguos acompañantes del FORPP

- María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, persona acompañada y actual acompañante del FORPP

- Michaela Soellinger, FOR Austria y actual acompañante del FORPP

- Manuel Müller, director del programa FORPP

A lo largo del encuentro online, los participantes tendrán la posibilidad de hacer preguntas a los ponentes y en la última parte del webinar, durante el foro abierto, todas las personas interesadas serán bienvenidas para contribuir sobre el tema del acompañamiento internacional y compartir su propia -y sus organizaciones- experiencia.

¡Inscríbase aquí y participe!  

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Webinar #1 -  "20 años de acompañamiento internacional en Colombia" 

Programa

Bienvenido

1ª parte
PRESENTACIÓN #1: Visión histórica del acompañamiento internacional de FOR Peace Presence
  Peter Cousins, vicepresidente de IFOR y antiguo acompañante de FOR Peace Presence
PRESENTACIÓN #2: El acompañamiento internacional en la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó
  Gildardo Tuberquia, Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó

2ª parte
TESTIMONIOS: entrevista con antiguos y actuales acompañantes de FOR Peace Presence

  Jutta Meier-Wiedenbach y Chris Moore-Backman, María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos y Michaela Soellinger

3ª parte
PRESENTACIÓN #3: La Presencia de Paz de FOR en el contexto colombiano actual
  Manuel Müller, Coordinador del programa FOR Peace Presence
  María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, persona acompañada y actual acompañante de FOR Peace Presence
  Michaela Soellinger, acompañante de FOR Austria y actual acompañante de FOR Peace Presence
FORO ABIERTO: intercambio sobre el acompañamiento internacional

Clausura

*Preguntas y respuestas moderadas a lo largo de la reunión

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Después de inscribirse, recibirá por correo electrónico el enlace para conectarse en Zoom el día 26 y más detalles sobre el WEBINAR #1. 

La serie de seminarios web se realizará en inglés y español, con interpretación en tres idiomas, incluido el francés.

La serie de webinarios celebra los 25 años de la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó y los 20 años de FOR Peace Presence.

El objetivo de esta serie de webinarios es sensibilizar sobre temas de actualidad en Colombia, dar voz a la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó y proporcionar una oportunidad para compartir las lecciones aprendidas sobre el acompañamiento internacional que también puede aplicarse en otros contextos; así, construir una conexión y solidaridad más fuerte y aprender cómo colaborar mejor a nivel global y local para los derechos humanos y la construcción de la paz.

A este webinar #1 le seguirá otro en marzo y uno más en abril.

Más información sobre la SERIE DE WEBINARIOS DEL ANIVERSARIO está disponible aquí

El International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR, un movimiento centenario de paz basado en la espiritualidad, se compromete en el campo de los derechos humanos a nivel internacional dentro del sistema de la ONU, donde tiene un estatus consultivo y se asocia con organizaciones locales para apoyar los esfuerzos locales e informar sobre cuestiones de derechos humanos. 

El Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence-FORPP (afiliado a IFOR) es una organización no gubernamental dedicada a proporcionar acompañamiento internacional a comunidades e individuos en situación de riesgo en Colombia que abrazan la no violencia activa y trabajan para promover los derechos humanos, la paz y la justicia. 

El Movimiento Austriaco de Reconciliación - FOR Austria (Internationaler Versöhnungsbund), como parte del movimiento internacional por la paz, trabaja activamente de forma no violenta por una paz justa y sostenible. Desde 2006 FOR Austria ha acompañado a las comunidades y a los defensores de los derechos humanos en Colombia en colaboración con FOR Peace Presence.

¡NO OLVIDES REGISTRARTE Y PASAR LA VOZ!

También puedes compartirlo en Fb aquí

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IFOR - Mouvement International de la Réconciliation, 

en collaboration avec FOR Peace Presence et FOR Autriche, a le plaisir de vous inviter à la WEBINAR #1 de la SÉRIE DE WEBINAIRES ANNIVERSAIRE

"20 ANS D'ACCOMPAGNEMENT INTERNATIONAL EN COLOMBIE"

Clique ici pour décharger

26 février 2022 à 17h00 CET (UTC+1) sur Zoom

Ce webinaire #1 se concentrera sur l'accompagnement international et présentera les 20 ans d'expérience de FOR Peace Presence.

Le webinaire abordera le contexte local, la nécessité de l'accompagnement international, la perspective de la personne accompagnée, l'expérience des accompagnateurs passés et présents et explorera davantage les défis et leur évolution au cours de deux décennies ; les participants auront l'occasion d'entendre parler de différents contextes d'action et d'apprendre la nouvelle approche que FORPP met en œuvre et les opportunités pour les personnes intéressées.

Nos principaux intervenants seront :

- Peter Cousins, vice-président d'IFOR et ancien accompagnateur du FORPP.

- Gildardo Tuberquia, Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó

- Jutta Meier-Wiedenbach et Chris Moore-Backman, anciens accompagnateurs du FORPP

- María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, personne accompagnée et accompagnatrice actuelle du FORPP

- Michaela Soellinger, FOR Autriche et accompagnatrice actuelle du FORPP

- Manuel Müller, directeur du programme FORPP

Tout au long de la réunion en ligne, les participants auront la possibilité de poser des questions aux intervenants et dans la dernière partie du webinaire, lors du forum ouvert, toutes les personnes intéressées seront invitées à contribuer sur le thème de l'accompagnement international et à partager leur propre expérience -et celle de leur organisation-.

Inscrivez-vous ici et participez !  

Après votre inscription, vous recevrez par email le lien pour vous connecter sur Zoom le 26 et plus de détails sur le WEBINAR #1. 

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Webinar #1 - "20 ans d'accompagnement international en Colombie".

Programme

Accueil

1ère partie

PRESENTATION#1 : Aperçu historique de l'accompagnement international par FOR Peace Presence  

   Peter Cousins, vice-président d'IFOR et ancien accompagnateur de la FOR Peace Presence.

PRESENTATION #2 : Accompagnement international dans la Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó   

   Gildardo Tuberquia, Communauté de paix de San José de Apartadó

2ème partie

TESTIMONIES : interview d'anciens et d'actuels accompagnateurs de FOR Peace Presence   

   Jutta Meier-Wiedenbachet Chris Moore-Backman, MaríaEugenia Mosquera Riascos et Michaela Soellinger

3ème partie

PRESENTATION #3 : FOR Peace Presence dans le contexte colombien actuel  

   Manuel Müller, coordinateur du programme FOR Peace Presence  

   María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos, personne accompagnée et accompagnatrice actuelle de FOR Peace Presence  

   Michaela Soellinger, FOR Autriche et accompagnatrice actuelle de FOR Peace Presence

FORUM OUVERT : échange sur l'accompagnement international

Clôture 

*Q&Rs animées tout au long de la réunion

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La série de webinaires sera en anglais et en espagnol avec une interprétation en 3 langues, y compris le français.

La série de webinaires célèbre les 25 ans de la Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó et les 20 ans de FOR Peace Presence.

L'objectif de cette série de webinaires est de sensibiliser aux problèmes actuels en Colombie, de donner une voix à la Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó et de fournir une occasion de partager les leçons apprises sur l'accompagnement international qui peut également être appliqué dans d'autres contextes; de renforcer les liens et la solidarité, et d'apprendre comment mieux collaborer au niveau mondial et local pour les droits de l'homme et la consolidation de la paix.

Ce webinaire n°1 sera suivi d'un autre en mars et d'un autre encore en avril.

De plus amples informations sur la SÉRIE DE WEBINAR ANNIVERSAIRE sont disponibles ici (insérer un lien hypertexte https://www.ifor.org/recent-news-from-the-movement-3)

Le Mouvement International de la Réconciliation (International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR), un mouvement de paix centenaire fondé sur la spiritualité, s'engage dans le domaine des droits de l'homme au niveau international au sein du système des Nations Unies, où il détient un statut consultatif, et s'associe à des organisations locales pour soutenir les efforts locaux et produire des rapports sur les questions relatives aux droits de l'homme.

Le Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence-FORPP (affilié à l'IFOR) est une organisation non gouvernementale qui se consacre à l'accompagnement international des communautés et des personnes à risque en Colombie qui pratiquent la non-violence active pour promouvoir les droits de l'homme, la paix et la justice.

Le Mouvement autrichien de la Réconciliation - FOR Autriche (Internationaler Versöhnungsbund), qui fait partie du mouvement international pour la paix, œuvre activement et de manière non violente pour une paix juste et durable. Depuis 2006, FOR Autriche accompagne les communautés et les défenseurs des droits de l'homme en Colombie en collaboration avec FOR Peace Presence.

N'OUBLIEZ PAS DE VOUS INSCRIRE ET DE FAIRE PASSER LE MOT !

Vous êtes également invités à partager sur Fb ici.

ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SERIES on Colombia

IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation, together with FOR Peace Presence and FOR Austria, is pleased to invite you to:

ANNIVERSARY WEBINAR SERIES

A webinar series to celebrate 25 years of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and 20 years of FOR Peace Presence

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Download the flyer here!!

Scroll down for Spanish and French.

The webinar series will include, primarily, first hand contributions from the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and FORPP international accompaniers and address different topics related to human rights, human rights defenders and international solidarity.

This series of 3 webinars will also offer the possibility to get insights on the current situation of the peace process in Colombia after the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2016.

The aim of this webinar series is to raise awareness on current Colombian issues, give voice to the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and provide an opportunity to share lessons learned on international accompaniment; thus, build stronger connection and solidarity and learn how to best collaborate globally and locally for human rights and peacebuilding.

• Webinar #1: "20 Years of International Accompaniment in Colombia," on February 26th at 5pm CET

• Webinar #2: "The Peace Community of San José de Apartadó: 25 Years of Resistance to Violence", in March 16th at 4pm CET, during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights session

• Webinar #3: "Peace Efforts in Colombia: Current Challenges and Opportunities", in May 7th at 5pm CEST

The webinar series will be in English and Spanish, with French interpretation as well.

The detailed program with speakers for each of the 3 webinars will be soon published and shared.

More info at https://www.ifor.org/recent-news-from-the-movement-3

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR, a centenary spiritual based peace movement, engages on the field of human rights at the international level within the UN system where it holds a consultative status and partners together with local organizations to support local efforts and report on human rights issues.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence-FORPP (IFOR’s affiliate) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing international accompaniment to communities and individuals at risk in Colombia who embrace active nonviolence working to promote human rights, peace and justice.

The Austrian Fellowship of Reconciliation-FOR Austria (Internationaler Versöhnungsbund), as part of the international peace movement, actively works non-violently for a just and sustainable peace. Since 2006 FOR Austria has accompanied communities and human rights defenders in Colombia in collaboration with FOR Peace Presence.

SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN IN!

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IFOR-International Fellowship of Reconciliation, junto con FOR Peace Presence y FOR Austria, se alegra de invitarle a:

SERIE DE WEBINARS DE ANIVERSARIO

Una serie de webinars para celebrar los 25 años de la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó y los 20 años de FOR Peace Presence

Baja el flyer aqui!

La serie de webinars incluirá, principalmente, contribuciones de primera mano de la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó y de los acompañantes internacionales de FORPP y abordará diferentes temas relacionados con los derechos humanos, los defensores de los derechos humanos y la solidaridad internacional.

Esta serie de 3 webinars también ofrecerá la posibilidad de conocer la situación actual del proceso de paz en Colombia después de la firma del Acuerdo de Paz en 2016.

El objetivo de esta serie de webinars es sensibilizar sobre la actualidad colombiana, dar voz a la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó y proporcionar una oportunidad para compartir las lecciones aprendidas sobre el acompañamiento internacional; así, construir una mayor conexión y solidaridad y aprender a colaborar mejor a nivel global y local para los derechos humanos y la construcción de la paz.

• Webinar #1: "20 años de acompañamiento internacional en Colombia", el 26 de febrero a las 5pm CET

• Webinar #2: "La Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó: 25 años de resistencia a la violencia", en 16 de marzo a las 4pm CET, durante la 49ª sesión de Derechos Humanos de la ONU

• Webinar #3: "Esfuerzos de paz en Colombia: Retos y oportunidades actuales", el 7 de Abril a las 5pm CEST.

La serie de webinars será en inglés y español, con interpretación en francés también.

El programa detallado con los oradores de cada uno de los 3 webinars será publicado y compartido próximamente.

Más información en https://www.ifor.org/recent-news-from-the-movement-3 

El International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR, un movimiento centenario de paz basado en la espiritualidad, se compromete en el campo de los derechos humanos a nivel internacional dentro del sistema de la ONU, donde tiene un estatus consultivo y se asocia con organizaciones locales para apoyar los esfuerzos locales e informar sobre cuestiones de derechos humanos.

El Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence-FORPP (afiliado a IFOR) es una organización no gubernamental dedicada a proporcionar acompañamiento internacional a comunidades e individuos en situación de riesgo en Colombia que abrazan la no violencia activa y trabajan para promover los derechos humanos, la paz y la justicia.

El Movimiento Austriaco de Reconciliación - FOR Austria (Internationaler Versöhnungsbund), como parte del movimiento internacional por la paz, trabaja activamente de forma no violenta por una paz justa y sostenible. Desde 2006 FOR Austria ha acompañado a las comunidades y a los defensores de los derechos humanos en Colombia en colaboración con FOR Peace Presence.

¡GUARDA LA FECHA Y PARTICIPA!

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IFOR - Mouvement International de la Réconciliation, en collaboration avec FOR Peace Presence et FOR Autriche, a le plaisir de vous inviter à :

SÉRIES DE WEBINAIRES ANNIVERSAIRE

Une série de webinaires pour célébrer les 25 ans de la Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó et les 20 ans de FOR Peace Presence

Téléchargez le dépliant ici!

La série de webinaires comprendra principalement des contributions de première main de la Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó et des accompagnateurs internationaux de FORPP et abordera différents sujets liés aux droits de l'homme, aux défenseurs des droits de l'homme et à la solidarité internationale.

Cette série de 3 webinaires offrira également la possibilité d'avoir un aperçu de la situation actuelle du processus de paix en Colombie après la signature de l'Accord de Paix en 2016.

L'objectif de cette série de webinaires est de sensibiliser aux questions colombiennes actuelles, de donner la parole à la communauté de paix de San José de Apartadó et de fournir une opportunité de partager les leçons apprises sur l'accompagnement international ; ainsi, construire une connexion et une solidarité plus fortes et apprendre comment collaborer au mieux au niveau global et local pour les droits de l'homme et la construction de la paix.

• Webinar #1 : "20 ans d'accompagnement international en Colombie", le 26 février à 17h00 CET

• Webinar #2 : "La Communauté de Paix de San José de Apartadó : 25 ans de résistance à la violence", en 16 mars à 16:00 CET, pendant la 49ème session de le Conseil des Droits de l'Homme des Nations Unies.

• Webinar #3 : "Efforts de paix en Colombie : Défis actuels et opportunités", en 7 May à 17:00 CEST.

La série de webinaires se déroulera en anglais et en espagnol, avec une interprétation en français.

Le programme détaillé avec les intervenants pour chacun des 3 webinaires sera bientôt publié et partagé.

Plus d'informations sur https://www.ifor.org/recent-news-from-the-movement-3

Le Mouvement International de la Réconciliation (International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR), un mouvement de paix centenaire fondé sur la spiritualité, s'engage dans le domaine des droits de l'homme au niveau international au sein du système des Nations Unies, où il détient un statut consultatif, et s'associe à des organisations locales pour soutenir les efforts locaux et produire des rapports sur les questions relatives aux droits de l'homme.

Le Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace Presence-FORPP (affilié à l'IFOR) est une organisation non gouvernementale qui se consacre à l'accompagnement international des communautés et des personnes à risque en Colombie qui pratiquent la non-violence active pour promouvoir les droits de l'homme, la paix et la justice.

Le Mouvement autrichien de la Réconciliation - FOR Autriche (Internationaler Versöhnungsbund), qui fait partie du mouvement international pour la paix, œuvre activement et de manière non violente pour une paix juste et durable. Depuis 2006, FOR Autriche accompagne les communautés et les défenseurs des droits de l'homme en Colombie en collaboration avec FOR Peace Presence.

RÉSERVEZ LA DATE ET PARTICIPEZ !

IFOR reports to the UN Human Rights Committee on the violations of the right to conscientious objection to military service in Bolivia and Israel

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation has prepared two reports regarding military service and conscientious objection issues in Bolivia and in Israel and it has submitted them to the UN Human Rights Committee to be considered for the 134th session which will take place in March and will include the review of those two States. 

Bolivia does not have a domestic legislative framework for conscientious objectors.

At the end of compulsory military service and voluntary military service, the "libreta militar" is issued. This document is required to enter university, to obtain a university degree, to access jobs with the public administration and private companies, to obtain a passport and to obtain a citizenship card free of charge.

In Bolivia, there is a very favourable perception of the role of the Armed Forces and, therefore, of the need for compulsory military service as the place where the development of youth in political, labour and socio-cultural aspects is initiated and completed.

Israel fails to recognise the right to conscientious objection to military service, in accordance with the international human rights standards. In practice, Israel does not recognise someone as a conscientious objector unless he/she is considered by the Special Military Committee as “clearly pacifistic”.

Worth noting that even conscientious objectors with explicit pacifistic views are not recognised and are punished in case they cite anything that can be perceived by the Special Military Committee as “ideological and political beliefs”, for example any opposition to the occupation of Palestinian territories, or the treatment of the Palestinians by Israel.

The OHCHR has explicitly stated that “States should ensure that the right to object applies both to pacifists and to selective objectors who believe that the use of force is justified in some circumstances but not in others”

IFOR recommended in its submission:

a. The special Committee deciding on conscientious objection applications should be made fully independent, including being separate by the military authorities and entirely civilian, and proceedings should provide for a right to appeal against negative decisions to independent administrative and judicial bodies.

b. Recognise in law and practice the right to conscientious objection, including selective objection, in accordance with international law and human rights standards.

c. Immediately cease the imprisonment of conscientious objectors, including repeated imprisonment in violation of the ne bis in idem principle (art. 14(7)) and of the right not to be subject to coercion which would impair one’s freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice (art. 18(2)).

d. Prohibit in law trials of conscientious objectors by military courts.

e. Provide full reparation to conscientious objectors whose Covenant rights have been violated.

The report includes an annex about "Known cases of imprisoned conscientious objectors since 2016"; the imprisonment of conscientious objectors to military service, apart from a violation of art. 18(1) of ICCPR, also constitutes a violation of art. 9(1) of ICCPR. The Human Rights Committee has repeatedly stated in recent years “that just as detention as punishment for the legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by article 19 of the Covenant is arbitrary, so too is detention as punishment for legitimate exercise of freedom of religion and conscience, as guaranteed by article 18 of the Covenant.”

Here you can read the complete report prepared by IFOR on Bolivia, and Israel published on the UN website.

To learn more about the contribution of civil society to the State review process at the UN Human Rights Committee you are welcome to click here.

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Israel

Amnesty International has relased a special report on February 1st where it has analysed the situation in Israel and occupied palestinian territories and it has concluded that the the system detected on the ground amounts to apartheid.

Click here to read the report in several languages.

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Bolivia

At the end of January a Bolivian collective organization called CASA (Colectivo de Coordinación de Acciones Socioambientales), which is part of the RAMALC Latin American network, published a video on the perception of military service in Bolivia.

Many of the issues presented in the video, are described as well in the report submitted by IFOR to the Human Rights Committee.

Click here to watch the video

Statement of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement on the current regional crisis

On February 1st 2022, the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement released a public statement concerning the current crisis in the region.

This Movement is also a member of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO), of which IFOR is a supporting partner.

Statement of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement
The people of our country and the entire planet are in mortal danger due to the nuclear confrontation between the civilizations of East and West. We need to stop the build-up of troops, the accumulation of weapons and military equipment in and around Ukraine, the insane throwing of taxpayers’ money into the furnace of the war machine instead of solving acute socio-economic and environmental problems. We need to stop indulging the cruel whims of military commanders and oligarchs who profit from bloodshed.
The Ukrainian Pacifist Movement condemns the preparation of Ukraine and NATO member states for war with Russia.
We demand global de-escalation and disarmament, the dissolution of military alliances, the elimination of armies and borders that divide people.
We demand an immediate peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, around Donetsk and Luhansk, on the basis of:
1) absolute compliance with a ceasefire by all pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian combatants and strict adherence to the Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements, approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015);
2) withdrawal of all troops, cessation of all supplies of weapons and military equipment, cessation of total mobilization of the population for war, cessation of propaganda of war and hostility between civilizations in the media and social networks;
3) conducting open, inclusive and comprehensive negotiations on peace and disarmament in the format of a public dialogue between all state and non-state parties to the conflict with the participation of pro-peace civil society actors;
4) enshrining neutrality of our country by the Constitution of Ukraine;
5) guaranteeing the human right to conscientious objection to military service (including refusal to be trained for military service), in accordance with Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and paragraphs 2, 11 of the General Comment № 22 of the UN Human Rights Committee.
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.
Here you can find the original text in Ukrainian and Russianst-movement/

For more information of the Ukrainian Pacificifist Movement you can visit their web page.

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Below you can find the automatic translation in several other languages such as Spanish, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish, Finnish and Hungarian.

Español

Declaración del Movimiento Pacifista Ucraniano

Los pueblos de nuestro país y del planeta entero corren peligro de muerte por el enfrentamiento nuclear entre las civilizaciones de Oriente y Occidente. Necesitamos detener la acumulación de tropas, la acumulación de armas y equipos militares en Ucrania y sus alrededores, la locura de arrojar el dinero de los contribuyentes al horno de la máquina de guerra en lugar de resolver problemas socioeconómicos y ambientales agudos. Necesitamos dejar de complacer los caprichos crueles de los comandantes militares y los oligarcas que se benefician del derramamiento de sangre.
El Movimiento Pacifista Ucraniano condena la preparación de Ucrania y los estados miembros de la OTAN para la guerra con Rusia.
Exigimos la desescalada y el desarme global, la disolución de las alianzas militares, la eliminación de los ejércitos y las fronteras que dividen a los pueblos.
Exigimos una solución pacífica inmediata del conflicto armado en el este de Ucrania, alrededor de Donetsk y Luhansk, sobre la base de:
1) cumplimiento absoluto de un alto el fuego por parte de todos los combatientes pro-ucranianos y pro-rusos y estricta adhesión al Paquete de medidas para la implementación de los acuerdos de Minsk, aprobado por la Resolución 2202 (2015) del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU;
2) retiro de todas las tropas, cese de todos los suministros de armas y equipo militar, cese de la movilización total de la población para la guerra, cese de la propaganda de guerra y hostilidad entre civilizaciones en los medios de comunicación y redes sociales;
3) llevar a cabo negociaciones abiertas, inclusivas e integrales sobre la paz y el desarme en el formato de un diálogo público entre todas las partes estatales y no estatales del conflicto con la participación de los actores de la sociedad civil a favor de la paz;
4) consagrar la neutralidad de nuestro país por la Constitución de Ucrania;
5) garantizar el derecho humano a la objeción de conciencia al servicio militar (incluida la negativa a recibir formación para el servicio militar), de conformidad con el artículo 18 del Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos y los párrafos 2, 11 de la Observación General n.º 22 de la Comité de Derechos Humanos de la ONU.
La guerra es un crimen contra la humanidad. Por lo tanto, estamos decididos a no apoyar ningún tipo de guerra y luchar por la eliminación de todas las causas de la guerra.

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русский

Erklärung der Ukrainischen Pazifistischen Bewegung

Die Menschen unseres Landes und des gesamten Planeten sind aufgrund der nuklearen Konfrontation zwischen den Zivilisationen von Ost und West in Lebensgefahr. Wir müssen den Aufbau von Truppen, die Anhäufung von Waffen und militärischer Ausrüstung in und um die Ukraine, das wahnsinnige Einwerfen von Steuergeldern in den Schmelzofen der Kriegsmaschine stoppen, anstatt akute sozioökonomische und ökologische Probleme zu lösen. Wir müssen aufhören, den grausamen Launen von Militärkommandanten und Oligarchen nachzugeben, die vom Blutvergießen profitieren.
Die ukrainische pazifistische Bewegung verurteilt die Vorbereitung der Ukraine und der NATO-Mitgliedstaaten auf einen Krieg mit Russland.
Wir fordern weltweite Deeskalation und Abrüstung, die Auflösung von Militärbündnissen, die Beseitigung von Armeen und Grenzen, die Menschen trennen.
Wir fordern eine sofortige friedliche Beilegung des bewaffneten Konflikts in der Ostukraine um Donezk und Luhansk auf der Grundlage von:
1) absolute Einhaltung eines Waffenstillstands durch alle pro-ukrainischen und pro-russischen Kombattanten und strikte Einhaltung des Maßnahmenpakets zur Umsetzung der Minsker Vereinbarungen, genehmigt durch die Resolution 2202 (2015) des UN-Sicherheitsrates;
2) Abzug aller Truppen, Einstellung aller Lieferungen von Waffen und militärischer Ausrüstung, Einstellung der vollständigen Mobilisierung der Bevölkerung für den Krieg, Einstellung der Kriegspropaganda und der Feindseligkeit zwischen den Zivilisationen in den Medien und sozialen Netzwerken;
3) Führung offener, inklusiver und umfassender Friedens- und Abrüstungsverhandlungen im Format eines öffentlichen Dialogs zwischen allen staatlichen und nichtstaatlichen Konfliktparteien unter Beteiligung friedensfördernder zivilgesellschaftlicher Akteure;
4) Verankerung der Neutralität unseres Landes in der Verfassung der Ukraine;
5) Gewährleistung des Menschenrechts auf Wehrdienstverweigerung aus Gewissensgründen (einschließlich Weigerung, für den Militärdienst ausgebildet zu werden), in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 18 des Internationalen Pakts über bürgerliche und politische Rechte und den Absätzen 2, 11 des Allgemeinen Kommentars Nr. 22 des UN-Menschenrechtsausschuss.
Krieg ist ein Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit. Deshalb sind wir entschlossen, keinerlei Krieg zu unterstützen und uns um die Beseitigung aller Kriegsursachen zu bemühen.

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Français

Déclaration du Mouvement Pacifiste Ukrainien

Le peuple de notre pays et la planète entière sont en danger de mort en raison de la confrontation nucléaire entre les civilisations de l'Est et de l'Ouest. Nous devons mettre fin à l'accumulation de troupes, à l'accumulation d'armes et d'équipements militaires en Ukraine et dans les environs, à la folie de jeter l'argent des contribuables dans la fournaise de la machine de guerre au lieu de résoudre des problèmes socio-économiques et environnementaux aigus. Nous devons cesser de céder aux caprices cruels des commandants militaires et des oligarques qui profitent des effusions de sang.
Le Mouvement pacifiste ukrainien condamne la préparation de l'Ukraine et des États membres de l'OTAN à la guerre avec la Russie.
Nous exigeons la désescalade et le désarmement mondiaux, la dissolution des alliances militaires, l'élimination des armées et des frontières qui divisent les peuples.
Nous exigeons un règlement pacifique immédiat du conflit armé dans l'est de l'Ukraine, autour de Donetsk et Louhansk, sur la base de :
1) le respect absolu d'un cessez-le-feu par tous les combattants pro-ukrainiens et pro-russes et le strict respect de l'ensemble de mesures pour la mise en œuvre des accords de Minsk, approuvé par la résolution 2202 (2015) du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies ;
2) retrait de toutes les troupes, arrêt de tous les approvisionnements en armes et équipements militaires, arrêt de la mobilisation totale de la population pour la guerre, arrêt de la propagande de guerre et de l'hostilité entre les civilisations dans les médias et les réseaux sociaux ;
3) mener des négociations ouvertes, inclusives et globales sur la paix et le désarmement sous la forme d'un dialogue public entre toutes les parties étatiques et non étatiques au conflit avec la participation d'acteurs de la société civile favorables à la paix ;
4) consacrer la neutralité de notre pays par la Constitution de l'Ukraine ;
5) garantir le droit de l'homme à l'objection de conscience au service militaire (y compris le refus d'être formé pour le service militaire), conformément à l'article 18 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques et aux paragraphes 2, 11 de l'Observation générale № 22 du Comité des droits de l'homme des Nations Unies.
La guerre est un crime contre l'humanité. Par conséquent, nous sommes déterminés à ne soutenir aucune sorte de guerre et à nous efforcer d'éliminer toutes les causes de guerre.

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Nederlands

Verklaring van de Oekraïense pacifistische beweging

De mensen van ons land en de hele planeet zijn in levensgevaar door de nucleaire confrontatie tussen de beschavingen van Oost en West. We moeten een einde maken aan de opbouw van troepen, de accumulatie van wapens en militaire uitrusting in en rond Oekraïne, het krankzinnige geld van de belastingbetaler in de oven van de oorlogsmachine gooien in plaats van acute sociaal-economische en milieuproblemen op te lossen. We moeten stoppen met het toegeven aan de wrede grillen van militaire commandanten en oligarchen die profiteren van bloedvergieten.
De Oekraïense Pacifistische Beweging veroordeelt de voorbereiding van Oekraïne en de NAVO-lidstaten op een oorlog met Rusland.
We eisen wereldwijde de-escalatie en ontwapening, de ontbinding van militaire allianties, de eliminatie van legers en grenzen die mensen verdelen.
Wij eisen een onmiddellijke vreedzame oplossing van het gewapende conflict in Oost-Oekraïne, rond Donetsk en Loehansk, op basis van:
1) absolute naleving van een staakt-het-vuren door alle pro-Oekraïense en pro-Russische strijders en strikte naleving van het pakket maatregelen voor de uitvoering van de akkoorden van Minsk, goedgekeurd door resolutie 2202 (2015) van de VN-Veiligheidsraad;
2) terugtrekking van alle troepen, stopzetting van alle leveringen van wapens en militaire uitrusting, stopzetting van de totale mobilisatie van de bevolking voor oorlog, stopzetting van oorlogspropaganda en vijandigheid tussen beschavingen in de media en sociale netwerken;
3) het voeren van open, inclusieve en alomvattende onderhandelingen over vrede en ontwapening in de vorm van een openbare dialoog tussen alle staten en niet-statelijke partijen bij het conflict, met deelname van actoren uit het maatschappelijk middenveld die voorstander zijn van de vrede;
4) de neutraliteit van ons land vastleggen in de grondwet van Oekraïne;
5) het waarborgen van het mensenrecht op gewetensbezwaren tegen militaire dienst (inclusief weigering om opgeleid te worden voor militaire dienst), in overeenstemming met artikel 18 van het Internationaal Verdrag inzake burgerrechten en politieke rechten en paragrafen 2, 11 van het Algemeen Commentaar № 22 van het VN-Mensenrechtencomité.
Oorlog is een misdaad tegen de menselijkheid. Daarom zijn we vastbesloten om geen enkele vorm van oorlog te steunen en te streven naar het wegnemen van alle oorzaken van oorlog.

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italiano
Dichiarazione del Movimento Pacifista Ucraino

Le persone del nostro Paese e dell'intero pianeta sono in pericolo mortale a causa dello scontro nucleare tra le civiltà dell'Est e dell'Ovest. Dobbiamo fermare l'accumulo di truppe, l'accumulo di armi e equipaggiamento militare in Ucraina e dintorni, il folle lancio di denaro dei contribuenti nella fornace della macchina da guerra invece di risolvere gravi problemi socioeconomici e ambientali. Dobbiamo smettere di assecondare i capricci crudeli dei comandanti militari e degli oligarchi che traggono profitto dallo spargimento di sangue.
Il Movimento pacifista ucraino condanna la preparazione dell'Ucraina e degli Stati membri della NATO alla guerra con la Russia.
Chiediamo la riduzione e il disarmo globali, lo scioglimento delle alleanze militari, l'eliminazione degli eserciti e dei confini che dividono le persone.
Chiediamo un'immediata soluzione pacifica del conflitto armato nell'Ucraina orientale, intorno a Donetsk e Luhansk, sulla base di:
1) l'assoluto rispetto del cessate il fuoco da parte di tutti i combattenti filo-ucraini e filo-russi e la stretta adesione al Pacchetto di misure per l'attuazione degli accordi di Minsk, approvato dalla Risoluzione 2202 (2015) del Consiglio di Sicurezza dell'ONU;
2) ritiro di tutte le truppe, cessazione di tutte le forniture di armi e attrezzature militari, cessazione della mobilitazione totale della popolazione per la guerra, cessazione della propaganda di guerra e dell'ostilità tra le civiltà nei media e nei social network;
3) condurre negoziati aperti, inclusivi e globali sulla pace e il disarmo nella forma di un dialogo pubblico tra tutte le parti statali e non statali in conflitto con la partecipazione di attori della società civile favorevoli alla pace;
4) sancire la neutralità del nostro Paese con la Costituzione dell'Ucraina;
5) garantire il diritto umano all'obiezione di coscienza al servizio militare (compreso il rifiuto di essere addestrato al servizio militare), ai sensi dell'articolo 18 del Patto internazionale sui diritti civili e politici e dei paragrafi 2, 11 del Commento generale № 22 del Comitato delle Nazioni Unite per i diritti umani.
La guerra è un crimine contro l'umanità. Pertanto, siamo determinati a non sostenere alcun tipo di guerra ea lottare per l'eliminazione di tutte le cause di guerra.

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Dansk
Erklæring fra den Ukrainske Pacifistbevægelse

Befolkningen i vores land og hele planeten er i livsfare på grund af den nukleare konfrontation mellem civilisationerne i øst og vest. Vi er nødt til at stoppe opbygningen af tropper, ophobningen af våben og militært udstyr i og omkring Ukraine, det vanvittige kaste af skatteydernes penge i ovnen på krigsmaskinen i stedet for at løse akutte socioøkonomiske og miljømæssige problemer. Vi er nødt til at holde op med at hengive os til de grusomme luner hos militære chefer og oligarker, der tjener på blodsudgydelser.
Den ukrainske pacifistbevægelse fordømmer Ukraines og NATOs medlemslandes forberedelse til krig med Rusland.
Vi kræver global de-eskalering og nedrustning, opløsning af militære alliancer, eliminering af hære og grænser, der splitter mennesker.
Vi kræver en øjeblikkelig fredelig løsning af den væbnede konflikt i det østlige Ukraine, omkring Donetsk og Luhansk, på grundlag af:
1) absolut overholdelse af en våbenhvile af alle pro-ukrainske og pro-russiske kombattanter og streng overholdelse af pakken af foranstaltninger til implementering af Minsk-aftalerne, godkendt af FN's Sikkerhedsråds resolution 2202 (2015);
2) tilbagetrækning af alle tropper, standsning af alle forsyninger af våben og militært udstyr, standsning af total mobilisering af befolkningen til krig, standsning af krigspropaganda og fjendtlighed mellem civilisationer i medierne og sociale netværk;
3) at føre åbne, inkluderende og omfattende forhandlinger om fred og nedrustning i form af en offentlig dialog mellem alle statslige og ikke-statslige parter i konflikten med deltagelse af fredsvenlige civilsamfundsaktører;
4) forankring af neutraliteten i vores land ved Ukraines forfatning;
5) at garantere menneskeretten til samvittighedsgrunde mod militærtjeneste (herunder nægtelse af at blive uddannet til militærtjeneste), i overensstemmelse med artikel 18 i den internationale konvention om borgerlige og politiske rettigheder og punkt 2, 11 i den generelle kommentar nr. 22 i FN's Menneskerettighedskomité.
Krig er en forbrydelse mod menneskeheden. Derfor er vi fast besluttet på ikke at støtte nogen form for krig og at stræbe efter at fjerne alle årsager til krig.

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Norsk
Uttalelse fra den Ukrainske Pasifistbevegelsen

Folket i landet vårt og hele planeten er i livsfare på grunn av den kjernefysiske konfrontasjonen mellom sivilisasjonene i øst og vest. Vi må stoppe oppbyggingen av tropper, akkumuleringen av våpen og militært utstyr i og rundt Ukraina, det vanvittige kastet av skattebetalernes penger inn i ovnen til krigsmaskinen i stedet for å løse akutte sosioøkonomiske og miljømessige problemer. Vi må slutte å hengi oss til de grusomme innfallene til militære befal og oligarker som tjener på blodsutgytelse.
Den ukrainske pasifistbevegelsen fordømmer forberedelsene til Ukraina og NATOs medlemsland for krig med Russland.
Vi krever global deeskalering og nedrustning, oppløsning av militære allianser, eliminering av hærer og grenser som deler mennesker.
Vi krever en umiddelbar fredelig løsning av den væpnede konflikten i Øst-Ukraina, rundt Donetsk og Luhansk, på grunnlag av:
1) absolutt overholdelse av en våpenhvile av alle pro-ukrainske og pro-russiske stridende og streng overholdelse av tiltakspakken for gjennomføring av Minsk-avtalene, godkjent av FNs sikkerhetsråds resolusjon 2202 (2015);
2) tilbaketrekning av alle tropper, opphør av alle forsyninger av våpen og militært utstyr, opphør av total mobilisering av befolkningen for krig, opphør av krigspropaganda og fiendtlighet mellom sivilisasjoner i media og sosiale nettverk;
3) gjennomføre åpne, inkluderende og omfattende forhandlinger om fred og nedrustning i form av en offentlig dialog mellom alle statlige og ikke-statlige parter i konflikten med deltakelse av fredsfremmende sivilsamfunnsaktører;
4) å forankre nøytraliteten til landet vårt ved Ukrainas grunnlov;
5) å garantere menneskeretten til samvittighetsgrunnlag mot militærtjeneste (inkludert nektelse av å bli opplært til militærtjeneste), i samsvar med artikkel 18 i Den internasjonale konvensjon om sivile og politiske rettigheter og paragrafene 2, 11 i den generelle kommentaren № 22 i FNs menneskerettighetskomité.
Krig er en forbrytelse mot menneskeheten. Derfor er vi fast bestemt på å ikke støtte noen form for krig og å strebe for å fjerne alle årsaker til krig.

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Svenska

Uttalande från den Ukrainska Pacifiströrelsen

Människorna i vårt land och hela planeten är i livsfara på grund av kärnvapenkonfrontationen mellan civilisationerna i öst och väst. Vi måste stoppa uppbyggnaden av trupper, ansamlingen av vapen och militär utrustning i och runt Ukraina, det vansinniga slängandet av skattebetalarnas pengar i krigsmaskinens ugn istället för att lösa akuta socioekonomiska och miljömässiga problem. Vi måste sluta hänge oss åt de grymma nyckerna från militära befälhavare och oligarker som tjänar på blodsutgjutelse.
Den ukrainska pacifiströrelsen fördömer Ukrainas och Natos medlemsländers förberedelser för krig med Ryssland.
Vi kräver global nedtrappning och nedrustning, upplösning av militära allianser, eliminering av arméer och gränser som splittrar människor.
Vi kräver en omedelbar fredlig lösning av den väpnade konflikten i östra Ukraina, runt Donetsk och Luhansk, på grundval av:
1) absolut efterlevnad av en vapenvila av alla pro-ukrainska och pro-ryska kombattanter och strikt efterlevnad av åtgärdspaketet för genomförandet av Minsk-avtalen, godkänt av FN:s säkerhetsråds resolution 2202 (2015);
2) tillbakadragande av alla trupper, upphörande av alla leveranser av vapen och militär utrustning, upphörande av total mobilisering av befolkningen för krig, upphörande av krigspropaganda och fientlighet mellan civilisationer i media och sociala nätverk;
3) genomföra öppna, inkluderande och heltäckande förhandlingar om fred och nedrustning i form av en offentlig dialog mellan alla statliga och icke-statliga parter i konflikten med deltagande av fredsvänliga aktörer från det civila samhället;
4) förankring av vårt lands neutralitet genom Ukrainas konstitution;
5) garantera den mänskliga rätten till samvetsvägran mot militärtjänstgöring (inklusive vägran att utbildas för militärtjänstgöring), i enlighet med artikel 18 i den internationella konventionen om medborgerliga och politiska rättigheter och punkterna 2, 11 i den allmänna kommentaren № 22 i FN:s kommitté för mänskliga rättigheter.
Krig är ett brott mot mänskligheten. Därför är vi fast beslutna att inte stödja någon form av krig och att sträva efter att avlägsna alla orsaker till krig.

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Türkçe

Ukrayna Pasifist Hareketi Açıklaması

Doğu ve Batı medeniyetleri arasındaki nükleer çatışma nedeniyle ülkemizin insanları ve tüm gezegen ölümcül tehlike altındadır. Akut sosyo-ekonomik ve çevresel sorunları çözmek yerine, birliklerin birikmesini, Ukrayna ve çevresinde silah ve askeri teçhizat birikimini, vergi mükelleflerinin paralarının savaş makinesinin fırınına çılgınca atılmasını durdurmamız gerekiyor. Kan dökülmesinden çıkar sağlayan askeri komutanların ve oligarkların acımasız kaprislerine kapılmayı bırakmalıyız.
Ukrayna Pasifist Hareketi, Ukrayna ve NATO üye ülkelerinin Rusya ile savaşa hazırlanmasını kınıyor.
Küresel gerilimi azaltmayı ve silahsızlanmayı, askeri ittifakların dağılmasını, insanları bölen orduların ve sınırların ortadan kaldırılmasını talep ediyoruz.
Ukrayna'nın doğusunda, Donetsk ve Luhansk civarındaki silahlı çatışmanın aşağıdakiler temelinde derhal barışçıl bir şekilde çözülmesini talep ediyoruz:
1) Ukrayna ve Rusya yanlısı tüm savaşçıların ateşkese mutlak olarak uyması ve BM Güvenlik Konseyi'nin 2202 (2015) sayılı Kararı ile onaylanan Minsk Anlaşmalarının Uygulanmasına Yönelik Önlemler Paketine sıkı sıkıya bağlı kalma;
2) medya ve sosyal ağlarda tüm birliklerin geri çekilmesi, tüm silah ve askeri teçhizat tedarikinin durdurulması, nüfusun savaş için toplam seferberliğinin durdurulması, savaş propagandasının ve medeniyetler arası düşmanlığın sona ermesi;
3) barış yanlısı sivil toplum aktörlerinin katılımıyla, çatışmanın tarafları olan ve olmayan tüm devletler arasında bir kamu diyalogu formatında barış ve silahsızlanma konusunda açık, kapsayıcı ve kapsamlı müzakerelerin yürütülmesi;
4) Ukrayna Anayasası ile ülkemizin tarafsızlığını güvence altına almak;
5) Uluslararası Medeni ve Siyasi Haklar Sözleşmesi'nin 18. Maddesi ve Sözleşme'nin 22 No'lu Genel Yorumunun 2. ve 11. paragrafları uyarınca, askerlik hizmetine karşı vicdani ret hakkının (askerlik hizmeti için eğitim almayı reddetme dahil) garanti altına alınması. BM İnsan Hakları Komitesi.
Savaş insanlık suçudur. Bu nedenle, hiçbir savaşı desteklememeye ve savaşın tüm nedenlerinin ortadan kaldırılması için çaba göstermeye kararlıyız.

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Suomalainen

Ukrainan pasifistisen liikkeen lausunto

Maamme ja koko planeettamme ihmiset ovat hengenvaarassa idän ja lännen sivilisaatioiden välisen ydinvastakkainasettelun vuoksi. Meidän on lopetettava joukkojen kerääminen, aseiden ja sotatarvikkeiden kerääminen Ukrainaan ja sen ympäristöön, veronmaksajien rahojen mieletön heittäminen sotakoneen uuniin sen sijaan, että ratkaisisit akuutteja sosioekonomisia ja ympäristöongelmia. Meidän on lopetettava verenvuodatuksesta hyötyvien armeijan komentajien ja oligarkkien julmien oikkujen tyydyttäminen.
Ukrainan pasifistinen liike tuomitsee Ukrainan ja Naton jäsenmaiden valmistautumisen sotaan Venäjän kanssa.
Vaadimme maailmanlaajuista deeskalaatiota ja aseistariisuntaa, sotilasliittojen purkamista, armeijoiden ja rajojen poistamista, jotka jakavat ihmisiä.
Vaadimme välitöntä rauhanomaista ratkaisua aseelliseen konfliktiin Itä-Ukrainassa, Donetskin ja Luhanskin ympäristössä seuraavilla perusteilla:
1) kaikkien Ukraina- ja Venäjä-mielisten taistelijoiden ehdoton tulitauon noudattaminen ja YK:n turvallisuusneuvoston päätöslauselmalla 2202 (2015) hyväksytyn Minskin sopimusten täytäntöönpanoa koskevan toimenpidepaketin tiukka noudattaminen;
2) kaikkien joukkojen vetäytyminen, kaikkien aseiden ja sotatarvikkeiden toimittamisen lopettaminen, väestön täydellisen sotaan mobilisoinnin lopettaminen, sodan propagandan ja sivilisaatioiden välisen vihamielisyyden lopettaminen tiedotusvälineissä ja sosiaalisissa verkostoissa;
3) avointen, osallistavien ja kattavien rauhaa ja aseistariisuntaa koskevien neuvottelujen käyminen julkisen vuoropuhelun muodossa kaikkien konfliktin valtiollisten ja ei-valtiollisten osapuolten välillä, johon osallistuvat rauhaa edistävät kansalaisyhteiskunnan toimijat;
4) maamme puolueettomuuden vahvistaminen Ukrainan perustuslaissa;
5) ihmisoikeuden takaaminen aseistakieltäytymiseen asepalveluksesta (mukaan lukien asepalveluskoulutuksesta kieltäytyminen) kansalaisoikeuksia ja poliittisia oikeuksia koskevan kansainvälisen yleissopimuksen 18 artiklan ja yleisen huomautuksen nro 22 2, 11 kappaleiden mukaisesti. YK:n ihmisoikeuskomitea.
Sota on rikos ihmisyyttä vastaan. Siksi olemme päättäneet olla tukematta minkäänlaista sotaa ja pyrkiä poistamaan kaikki sodan syyt.

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Magyar
Az Ukrán Pacifista Mozgalom nyilatkozata

Hazánk és az egész bolygó lakossága életveszélyben van a keleti és nyugati civilizációk nukleáris összecsapása miatt. Meg kell állítanunk a csapatok felhalmozását, a fegyverek és katonai felszerelések felhalmozását Ukrajnában és környékén, az adófizetők pénzének őrült bedobását a hadigépezet kemencéjébe a heveny társadalmi-gazdasági és környezeti problémák megoldása helyett. Abba kell hagynunk a vérontásból profitáló katonai parancsnokok és oligarchák kegyetlen szeszélyeit.
Az Ukrán Pacifista Mozgalom elítéli Ukrajna és a NATO-tagállamok felkészülését az Oroszországgal vívott háborúra.
Követeljük a globális deeszkalációt és leszerelést, a katonai szövetségek feloszlatását, az embereket megosztó hadseregek és határok felszámolását.
Követeljük a kelet-ukrajnai, Donyeck és Luhanszk környéki fegyveres konfliktus azonnali békés rendezését, az alábbiak alapján:
1) a tűzszünet teljes betartása minden ukrán és oroszbarát harcos részéről, valamint az ENSZ Biztonsági Tanácsának 2202 (2015) sz. határozata által jóváhagyott minszki megállapodások végrehajtását célzó intézkedéscsomag szigorú betartása;
2) minden csapat kivonása, minden fegyver- és katonai felszerelés beszüntetése, a lakosság teljes háborús mozgósításának beszüntetése, a háború propagandája és a civilizációk közötti ellenségeskedés megszüntetése a médiában és a közösségi hálózatokon;
3) nyílt, átfogó és átfogó tárgyalások lefolytatása a békéről és a leszerelésről nyilvános párbeszéd formájában a konfliktusban részt vevő valamennyi állami és nem állami fél között a békepárti civil társadalom szereplőinek részvételével;
4) országunk semlegességének rögzítése Ukrajna alkotmányában;
5) a katonai szolgálat lelkiismereti okokból való megtagadásához való emberi jog garantálása (beleértve a katonai szolgálatra való kiképzés megtagadását is) a Polgári és Politikai Jogok Nemzetközi Egyezségokmánya 18. cikkével és a 22. számú Általános megjegyzés 2. és 11. bekezdésével összhangban. ENSZ Emberi Jogi Bizottsága.
A háború emberiség elleni bűncselekmény. Ezért elhatároztuk, hogy semmiféle háborút nem támogatunk, és a háború minden okának megszüntetésére törekszünk.

Joint press release on the UN Human Rights Committee's finding in the case of a Greek conscientious objector

IFOR, together with WRI-War Resisters' International, EBCO-European Bureau for Conscientious Objection and Connection e.V., releases today, January 18th, a joint press statement on the historical decision of the UN Human Rights Committee in the case of Lazaros Petromelidis.

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"UN Human Rights Committee finds multiple violations in a landmark case of Greek conscientious objector to military service”

On December 6th, the UN Human Rights Committee announced their decision on the case of conscientious objector Lazaros Petromelidis from Greece. The Committee found violations of the articles 9(1), 12(2), 14(7), and 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and asked Greece to take necessary measures addressing these violations.
As the organisations signing this statement, we welcome this decision of the Human Rights Committee.
The decision of the UN Human Rights Committee1 in a longstanding case of a Greek conscientious objector advances relevant jurisprudence and could be significant for conscientious objectors in other
countries too.

Lazaros Petromelidis had refused on ideological grounds to enlist for military service in 1992, when there was no provision for alternative civilian service in Greece. [...]

Overall, from 1992 until 2014, Lazaros Petromelidis has been convicted 5 times for insubordination, found himself in custody at least 4 times, and paid 2 financial penalties instead of imprisonment.
While it is not the first time that the Committee has examined a case involving a punitive and discriminatory alternative service,2 this is the first case where the conscientious objector has not
reported for such service at all. Furthermore, contrary to older cases, this time it was examined under, and was found to be a violation of, article 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), about freedom of thought, conscience and religion [...]

Worth noting also that the Committee found for the first time a violation of article 12(2) in a case of a conscientious objector who was prohibited from leaving his country, not only because of “the excessive duration of the impugned interference but also the fact that it has been imposed on the author for having legitimately exercised his right to freedom of conscience”. [...]

The Committee also consolidated its jurisprudence as of the violation of art. 9(1) about arbitrary detention as punishment for legitimate exercise of freedom of religion and conscience.

This also means that Petromelidis should have not been detained in the first place. [...]

According to the Committee’s decision, Greece is obliged to make full reparation to Petromelidis, and therefore, inter alia, to expunge the author’s criminal record, to reimburse all sums paid as fines (i.e., financial penalties instead of imprisonment) and to provide adequate compensation. [...]

The undersigned organisations expect from Greece to immediately implement the UN Human Rights Committee’s decision, both as for Petromelidis’ full reparation as well as for bringing the relevant
legislation in line with international human rights law and standards. [...] "
Read the complete press release here.

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You can have a look at the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) here.

To learn more about the current situation of conscientious objection to military service in Greece you are welcome to have a look at the latest report submitted by IFOR to the UN Human Rights Committee. Click here to read it.

Jim Forest RIP

Photo Credit to 'America: The Jesuit Review'

IFOR was extremely saddened to learn, this past weekend, of the death on 13th January of Jim Forest, our former General Secretary / International Coordinator between 1977-1988.

In latter years he was also a leading member of the affiliate Orthodox Peace Fellowship.

Jim was in the seat when IFOR moved to Alkmaar, where he lived until his death.
He was a relentless peacebuilder who also knew and collaborated with all his other major contemporaries in the cause for peace.

Within the last two years, he published his autobiography, 'Writing Straight with Crooked Lines'. This book is reviewed here.

We have sent our condolences to Nancy, Jim's wife, and will seek to commemorate him fully in due course.

May he rest in peace.

IFOR joins NGOs statement to the NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY State Parties

Originally scheduled for April 2020, the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) had been postponed several times, due to the ongoing pandemic. Most recently, the NPT Conference had been scheduled to convene in New York from 4-28 January 2022, but, over the past several days, NPT States Parties had been discussing whether and how to proceed and decided to postpone again until August 1st 2022 (tentatively).

IFOR regularly engages on these Review Conferences and on the occasion of the 10th Conference joined a STATEMENT FROM CIVIL SOCIETY TO THE STATES PARTIES OF THE NUCLEAR, signed by over 90 organizations of the civil society and sent to the State Parties on January 10th.

"It is encouraging to see countries reiterate their support for the #NPT. However, the Treaty is only as strong as its implementation. [...] Implementing past action plans must be the floor and not the ceiling for taking forward the NPT’s provisions. [...] Many countries have demonstrated their commitment to nuclear disarmament by joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (#TPNW), which has now entered into force. The TPNW is a major contribution to the common goal of eliminating the threat of nuclear war and eliminating nuclear weapons. [...]

The 91 undersigned organisations call on NPT states parties and the international community to advance new and bolder leadership. We urge all NPT states parties to move beyond bitter politicisation and to work together to build majority support for a plan of action to advance the NPT’s Article VI goals, create much needed momentum for further progress on disarmament, and save humanity from the scourge of nuclear war."

You can read the complete text here!

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You can read more about the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty by clicking here!

You can read more about the previous Review Conferences by clicking here!

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.

'Reconciled' IFOR newsletter, 2021 Edition

Dear IFOR community and friends,

We are delighted to send out the latest bulletin of 'Reconciled'! Please enjoy the news from around the Fellowship. This is a public edition and can be shared widely within your BGAs, membership and other friends who may be interested!!

Click here to download the Bulletin in English.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Chers communauté du MIR et amis,

Nous avons le plaisir de vous envoyer le dernier bulletin de 'Reconcilié-e-s' ! Nous vous invitons à prendre connaissance des nouvelles du Mouvement. Il s'agit d'une édition publique et vous pouvez la partager avec vos BGA, vos membres et d'autres amis qui pourraient être intéressés.

Cliquez ici pour télécharger le bulletin en français!!

Nous vous souhaitons à tous un joyeux Noël et une bonne année !

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Queridos comunidad del MIR y amigos,

Estamos encantados de enviarles el último boletín de "Reconciliad@s". Esperamos disfruten de las noticias del Movimiento. Esta es una edición pública y puede ser compartida ampliamente entre sus RGAs, miembros y otros amigos que puedan estar interesados.

Haga clic aquí para descargar el boletín en español!!

Les deseamos a todos una feliz Navidad y un próspero año nuevo!

IFOR expresses concern at the UN for the freedom of thought, conscience and religion and expression in Ukraine

Today, December 15th, at the UN in Geneva Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif presented the findings of the latest OHCHR periodic report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.

During the interactive dialogue several countries took the floor, followed by representatives of the civil society.

The main representative of IFOR at the UN in Geneva delivered a statement concerning the right to conscientious objection to military service in the country, forced enlisting and other related issues.

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Human Rights Council 

Geneva, 15th December 2021 

Interactive dialogue on the oral presentation by the High Commissioner for Human Rights  on the findings of the latest OHCHR periodic report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine (HRC res. 41/25)  

Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. 

Madam President,  

International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) thanks the High Commissioner and her office for the oral presentation  on Ukraine. 

IFOR is concerned about violations of the right to conscientious objection reported on the ground. 

The local media recently reported the case of the young Vladyslav Korol who expressed his conscientious objection for  religious reasons and was eventually transferred to military service as a military recruit.1 

Another case concerns two players of the Ukrainian national handball team Ruslan Diyakon and Dmitry Kovalenko  detained by representatives of the police and District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support.2 

The Human Rights Committee, in its concluding observation on the 8th periodic report of Ukraine, stated that "The  State party should ensure that abductions and arbitrary detention of conscripts are promptly, thoroughly, and  independently investigated, [that perpetrators are prosecuted and punished and that victims are provided with  effective remedies, including adequate compensation.]"3 

We would also like to continue to draw the attention4to the case of the Ukrainian journalist and pacifist Ruslan Kotsaba  who is under trial5 because of a video posted in 2015 to express opposition to the military mobilization for armed  conflict in eastern Ukraine6. He has already spent over 500 days under arrest and has been victim of assaults7 by haters  for whom there is still impunity.  

“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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Click here to download the original statement

You can watch the session here -IFOR statement is at 01:05:13-

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The situation of the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine is critical and there are other relevant issues concerning military service and young conscripts.

You can read here the report prepared by IFOR for the review of Ukraine at the 133rd session of the UN Human Rights Committee, which took place in October 2021.