Please copy and paste the letter from this webpage and email it, to protect a peacebuilder in danger:

International campaign: Protection and asylum for human rights defender Olga Karatch

Following the denial of political #asylum by the Lithuanian authorities for the #Belarusian #peacebuilder and #HumanRights defender Olga Karatch (Volha Karach), the international campaign #protection4olga has just been launched to demand #protection and asylum for the director of the organisation ‘Our House‘. She has been fighting for human rights in #Belarus for years, including the right to #ConscientiousObjection to #military service, and is therefore persecuted and faces capital punishment in her country of origin, where she has been labelled a ‘terrorist’ by the regime.

#antiwar #peace #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #Lithuania

International campaign: Protection and asylum for human rights defender Olga Karatch

Following the denial of political asylum by the Lithuanian authorities for the Belarusian peacebuilder and human rights defender Olga Karach (Volha Karach), the international campaign #protection4olga has just been launched to demand protection...

Please mark your calendars!

From #Peace Pledge Union in the UK:

Join us on 15 May: International Conscientious Objectors' Day

Every year on 15 May we remember #ConscientiousObjectors, past and present.

Around the world many people are imprisoned or forced to flee their home countries for refusing to join armed forces. On 15 May, we will stand in #solidarity with them, as well as celebrating the memory of those throughout #history who have resisted #conscription.

This year we will be showing our support especially to COs resisting the current #conflict in #Russia, #Ukraine and #Belarus.

In the UK, you can join the National Ceremony either in London or online: 1.00-2.00pm, Monday 15 May

Everyone is welcome to join the National Ceremony, which takes place every year in front of the #memorial stone for conscientious objectors in Tavistock Square, London.

For those who can't make it in person, you can watch the event online.

The Peace Pledge Union works with a coalition of peace and #HumanRights organisations on this joint ceremony.

With contributions from:

• #Belarusian peace #activist Olga Karach from Our House, who will send a message on the situation faced by COs in Belarus today.
• Semih Sapmaz from #War Resisters' International, speaking on the global #struggle of COs around the world.
• Historian Ali Ronan, speaking on the often overlooked role of #women COs.
• Hosted by actor and playwright Michael Mears.

Speeches will be followed by a reading of COs' names from around the world. Flowers will be laid on the memorial stone, followed by a minute's silence.

Attend in person - Tavistock Square, London - 1pm Monday 15 May 2023. Or watch online - visit www.CO-Day.org at the time to watch the live stream.

There will be other CO Day events around the UK and the world.

Events to mark CO Day this year will be happening around the UK, in Edinburgh, Brighton, Leicester, Leeds and elsewhere. Please visit our events page to find one near you.

If you have any stories or experiences of #ConscientiousObjection, or are planning anything for CO Day, please get in touch at mail@ppu.org.uk. You can find out more at www.CO-Day.org, including many educational resources on conscientious objection, campaigns, music and videos.

#pacifist #pacifism #antiwar

International Conscientious Objectors' Day - May 15th

Remembering all those who have refused to bear arms and participate in war, throughout history and today.This page is supported by the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Conscience, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Humanists UK, Movement for the Abolition...

Europe-wide call for protection and asylum for deserters and conscientious objectors from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

Appeal to European Parliament and Parliamentary Assembly of Council of #Europe

In a joint appeal to members of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a broad civil society alliance from 20 countries has called on the #European #governments to grant protection and asylum to #Russian and #Belarusian as well as #Ukrainian #ConscientiousObjectors and deserters. They need immediate #protection and #asylum.

#antiwar #propeace #peace #ConscientiousObjection #HumanRights

Peace activists demand for Germany to: Support war resisters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

Broad alliance calls for protection/asylum for deserters and conscientious objectors from #Russia, #Belarus and Ukraine

In a joint appeal to the German parliament, a broad civil society alliance calls on the #Bundestag and the #German #government to grant #protection and #asylum to #Russian and #Belarusian as well as #Ukrainian #ConscientiousObjectors and #deserters. #Germany and all other #EU countries must take in these people fleeing the #war effort without red tape and allow them a permanent right to stay – and also ensure that the human right to conscientious objection is recognized.

“Our goal is to ensure that conscientious objectors and deserters from the #Ukraine war are granted uncomplicated protection and asylum,” reads the letter to the members of the Bundestag, which is supported by Connection e.V., the human rights organization PRO ASYL and around 40 other peace, #HumanRights and #refugee organizations from all over Germany. The alliance is urging the members of the Bundestag to pass a corresponding motion – if possible as intergroup – to mandate the government to provide this protection for deserters and conscientious objectors. Unfortunately, this protection has not been guaranteed so far.

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjection

Support war resisters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine | Courage to Resist

Broad alliance calls for protection/asylum for deserters and conscientious objectors from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Update by Connection e.V. & PRO ASYL.