Quakers in Britain have joined other faith and civil society groups calling on the Russian and Ukrainian governments to respect the rights of conscientious objectors.
#peace #propeace #antiwar #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection #pacifist #pacifists #pacifism
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.
We are all shocked that the Security Service of Ukraine broke into the apartment of Yurii Sheliazhenko yesterday, August 3rd 2023, and conducted an illegal search and seizure operation, finding nothing criminal and taking his phone, his computer, as well as some documents of the #Ukrainian #Pacifist Movement. We strongly protest about the harassment of Yurii Sheliazhenko, who is summoned to interrogation on August 7th, 8th and 9th 2023.
We remind the Ukrainian government that #pacifism is not a crime in democratic states. We demand that the charge against Yurii Sheliazhenko is immediately dropped, and that #HumanRights are fully protected, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to #ConscientiousObjection to #military service, which is inherent in the right to #freedom of thought, #conscience and #religion, guaranteed, amongst others, under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is non-derogable even in a time of public emergency, as stated in Article 4(2) of ICCPR.
Yurii Sheliazhenko is a well-known #ConscientiousObjector, pacifist, human rights defender and lawyer. We strongly condemn all actions of harassment and all attempts of intimidation against him and the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, as well as all cases of forced recruitment and even abduction of #conscripts to the involved armies, and all #persecutions of #ConscientiousObjectors, deserters and non-violent #anti-war protestors.
We, Mothers Against Violence, call on our children to refuse regular and reserve #army service in the occupied territories, for the following reasons
* Israeli law stipulates that the army’s presence in the occupied territories is “temporary”. The 56 years that have elapsed since the #occupation began, have made it, for all intents and purposes, “permanent”. Therefore, without an official government decision specifying otherwise, service in the occupied territories is #illegal.
* The current heads of the army and security services declared in June that settler #violence against Palestinians is “nationalist terrorism”. Despite this, army soldiers are still providing security for violent settlers. This puts them at risk of arrest and trial abroad, and #traumatizes them for life.
* The #anti-democratic legislation just passed by this government removes judicial checks and balances on government decisions, enabling the government to give the army unreasonable and illegal orders, and compounding the risk of international prosecution for the soldiers.
Source: Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN) newsletter https://mailchi.mp/refuser/refusers-solidarity-15094589
In the newsletter Mattan Helman (from RSN) mentions this:
Its boldness is remarkable. By making an explicit public call for refusal, they have put themselves in danger of prosecution for sedition.
#ConscientiousObjection #Israel #MothersAgainstViolence #RefuserSolidarityNetwork
The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO), War Resisters’ International (WRI), the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) and Connection e.V. (Germany) strongly condemn the listing of the Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors as “Foreign Agent” as of June 23rd 2023. This action is another blatant #HumanRights violation, a fundamentally discriminatory application of law that contradicts universally accepted human rights and #freedoms.
The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation accuses the Movement of Conscientious Objectors of disseminating supposedly false information about the government's actions, decisions, and policies, in addition to opposing #Russia's #military actions in #Ukraine. For the current government of the #Russian Federation these allegations are sufficient to warrant the stigmatisation of the organisation.
The four organisations urge Russia to stop stigmatising human rights organisations and human rights defenders, and immediately and unconditionally release all those hundreds of soldiers and mobilised civilians who object to engage in the #war and are illegally detained and even ill-treated.
The right to #ConscientiousObjection to military service is inherent in the right to #freedom of thought, #conscience and religion, guaranteed under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is non-derogable even in a time of public emergency, as stated in Article 4(2) of ICCPR.
Conscientious objection is a tangible contribution to #peace; therefore, the protection of this human right is even more crucial in wartime.
#Turkey still does not recognize the right to #ConscientiousObjection. #ConscientiousObjectors are not only prosecuted and punished for #military conscientious objection or desertion, but also face many other rights violations and restrictions, including heavy fines, repeated prosecutions on the same charges, violations of their right to education, voting rights, and work, restrictions on their freedom of movement and the “civil deaths” of conscientious objectors.
Last week, “D” (25 y/o) refused #conscription to the Israeli military a third time due to his conscientious objection to becoming a soldier and act as an occupier and oppressor to the Palestinian people. He received another #prison sentence, this time of 20 days, after already serving 14 days in prison and 5 days under arrest in a #military base.
On one of the times that “D” arrived to refuse #conscription he received a ridiculous treatment over his key chain that had the image of the Palestinian flag. While entering the military base, the guards at the gate were so startled to see his key chain it cause panic that resulted in detaining “D”, calling for back-up, bringing in a consultation of 8 #soldiers (one of whom was a commander), alerting the head of the unit that was in charge of “D” to “examine the problem”, and to triple the number of #guards watching over him in the car ride to the prison.
All of this has not deterred “D” one bit and will not make him flinch or change his position. #RSN and #Mesarvot salute him for ALL his actions.
--- Excerpt from https://mailchi.mp/refuser/refusers-solidarity-15090593
#ConscientiousObjection #ConscientiousObjector #Israel #Palestine #WRI
The occupation can no longer be seen as incidental. It can no longer be considered as a security need. The occupation is a political enterprise operated by the army, which harms the vast majority of people who live here. It serves a racist and colonialist agenda of Jewish supremacy. Even those who shut their eyes for all these years, who tried to ignore and suppress the existence of the occupation, cannot continue to ignore it after the pogrom committed [in Huwara] by settlers under the protection of soldiers of the Israeli army. The fact that this violence, which originates with the government, has become so transparent and unapologetic requires us to open our eyes and resist.
#Palestine #Israel #YuvalDag #ConscientiousObjector #ConscientiousObjection #occupation #colonialism #violence #WRI
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.
We continue our updates on the massive refusal wave by reserve soldiers in Israel. [...]
The Israeli public is showing unprecedented support for the political act of refusal to serve in the Israeli army. Ynet News published the results of a survey by the aChord Center with the headline “unprecedented support for reserve service refusers”, showing incredibly strong support for the reserve soldiers refusal actions and statements. Of Israeli citizens, 87% of those identifying as left-wing voters, 70% of those identifying as centre and 31% of those identifying as right-wing voters support the new soldiers who are refusing military service.
Refusal to serve in the Israeli army, one of the most sacred institutions in Israeli culture, is now perceived as a legitimate civil resistance act which can be used to promote change. This is an incredible opportunity for the anti-occupation movement. Local Israeli anti-occupation activists are now working on initiatives to support the refusers and to use this historical moment of massive civil resistance against the ultra-nationalistic government and its anti-democratic agenda. Our aim is to help the Israeli mainstream public become a part of the anti-occupation movement.
This is the time for us to use this awakening in the Israeli society and to support local activists in their efforts to end the occupation. We need your help to do that. What the Israeli refuser movement needs now is people who can help us amplify the refusers’ voice. This is the time to expand our community. Please share this link with three people you know and ask them to join our newsletter. This is a once in a generation opportunity and we need to work together to make sure we use it as best as we can.
In solidarity,
Mattan Helman
Executive Director
Refuser Solidarity Network
#Israel #ConscientiousObjection #activism #RefuserSolidarityNetwork
Vindictive state removes her from parent's care
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/28/1166630360/after-a-russian-girl-drew-an-antiwar-poster-her-dad-faces-defamation-charges
#SacredActivism #conscientiousobjection
Today, more than ever, it is becoming clear to the general public how closely Israel and its policies are connected to violence and to the occupation of the Palestinian territories. [....] Resistance begins, first of all, with self-reflection and understanding. With the understanding that by wearing a uniform and symbols of a certain body, you choose to represent that body. With the understanding that enlisting in the army is a political choice, and its meaning is to support the military and political agenda, and to take part in it. [....] I refuse to give my body and my life to any system, for any country, and in the current situation, especially not to the state of Israel and the Israeli military.
--- Yuval Dag
Refuser Solidarity Network:
https://mailchi.mp/refuser/refusers-solidarity-15083489
Over the past two weeks, and for the first time in two decades, a new movement of army refusers has emerged in opposition to the plans of the far-right government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, to pass a slew of anti-democratic legislation.
#Israel #ConscientiousObjection #Palestine #politics #activism
500 conscientious objectors “competed to volunteer” to be “human guinea pigs” for “dangerous and life-threatening medical experiments seeking cures for malaria, infections hepatitis, atypical pneumonia and typhus."
#WWII #history #war #antiwar #peace #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjection #ConscientiousObjectors #science #medicine #famine #starvation
Dear friends,
I’m writing to you about our ongoing Object War Campaign (in support of deserters and conscientious objectors from #Russia, #Belarus and #Ukraine) and to ask for your support.
War Resisters’ International, together with Connection e.V., the International Fellowship of Reconciliation and the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection launched #ObjectWarCampaign on 21st September. Since then, we've been calling out to everyone to join this global effort to ensure the protection of conscientious objectors and deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
So far we have collected almost 7,000 signatures. Thanks to everyone who has joined our campaign.We accelerate our efforts to get more signatures before the end of this year and we need your support!
If you have not signed our petition yet, you can sign it here. We would also appreciate if you help us spread the word, share the campaign within your networks and post on social media with the hashtag #StandWithObjectors and #ObjectWarCampaign.
...
The petition is available on the WeMove.eu website in German, English, French, Italian and Greek.#ObjectWarCampaign highlights the importance of opening borders to those who oppose the war at great personal risk in their countries, and calls on everyone to support those who refuse to fight and kill.
The campaign is being supported by many organisations and groups. You can see a list of them here.
Every recruit can be a conscientious objector, every soldier a deserter. Let’s support those who refuse to kill and end war together!
#ObjectWarCampaign#StandWithObjectors
Merve Arkun
Right to Refuse to Kill Programme Intern
#war #antiwar #peace #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection
This Thursday, 1st December, is Prisoners for Peace Day, a day to show solidarity with those activists who have been imprisoned for their work for peace and conscientious objectors imprisoned for their refusal to take up arms.
This year, we want to highlight the situation of many people in Russia and Ukraine that are imprisoned or facing imprisonment for resisting the current war in Ukraine.
You can find the list of Prisoners for Peace here.
#antiwar #peace #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection
https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2022/statement-refusers-evyatar-einat-nave-and-shahar-0
Excerpt:
We, Israeli youth, born and raised in Israel, call on the Israeli public to see there is a better way to treat our neighbors, a human way that guarantees human rights for all. We demand an end to the Israeli occupation over the Palestinian territories and we declare today our refusal to take any part in it.
Please mark your calendars! December 1, 2022.
Around the world, people are in prison for their conscientious objection to taking part or war or their nonviolent peace activism. This is a good day to campaign for their release and to send them letters of support.
Prisoners of Peace Day is organised by War Resisters' International, of which the Peace Pledge Union is the British section.
For more information, and to see a list of known Prisoners for Peace, please see https://wri-irg.org/en/taxonomy/term/2.
#antiwar #peace #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights #ConscientiousObjection
On 15 September 2022 conscientious objector Vitaliy Vasyliovych Alekseienko, was found guilty of ‘evasion of military service during mobilisation' and sentenced to a year in prison. Alekseienko filed an appeal in which he asked to be released with a probation term. The Ivano-Frankivsk Court of Appeal has scheduled a hearing of his appeal on 17 November 2022.
Support Vitaliy Alekseinko and write to the court of appeal using our template letter here.
#ukraine #ConscientiousObjection #ConscientiousObjectors #peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism
I held a gun in my hands before I was 10 years old.
You could say I was raised in the Israeli army, or at least in the spirit of the Israeli Army. My father, who was a #military officer during most of my childhood, took my sister and me to his military base on weekends. There I held a gun, entered tanks, and collected gun bullets lying on the ground. As a child, that was cool! I also grew up without a grandfather. From very early on, on every national Memorial Day, I would skip the school ceremony to attend the grave of my grandfather who was killed in the 1973 war (The Yom Kippur War). I was nurtured on the #glory of the #army and on war-related bereavement.
But as the years went by, I became more aware, and I started to attend demonstrations against the #occupation with my mother. When I was at high school we started visiting Sheikh Jarrah, where I met families that stood to lose all they had, and to end up in the streets with their children as a result of the #Jerusalem municipality campaign, jointly with the settlers to empty Jerusalem of #Palestinians. Among other things, I saw a fence that settlers had build through a private Palestinian backyard, and the #police who were securing it, prevening all from entering, until we ourselves yanked it from the ground. In Sheikh Jarrah, the police stopped and interrogated me for the sole reason that I had a Palestinian flag. Almost weekly, police violently seize flags from the protestors.
Although I was raised in a #militaristic family, where the army was a sacred cow, and although I was told in school that soldiers are heroes, I never wanted to enlist in the army. My unwillingness to enlist, was transformed over the years to the act of active refusal of the draft and the more I realized what soldiers really do. I realized that there is an entire system, military, economic and ideological, whose task is to preserve the occupation and the #oppression of the Palestinians.
This year, during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, tens of masked #settlers went to Masafer Yatta, threw stones at the Palestinian residents, at their children and at their houses. Windshields were smashed, and many people injured, including a three-year-old child who was injured in his head. This event was not unique. It was just one more day in the violent reality that the population in Masafer Yatta endure, where attacks by settlers are a daily occurrence.
And where is the #army in this story? The same one I was expected to enlist in? Where are the heroic #soldiers that we hear of? In almost every #violent incident perpetrated by settlers the army, under the best of circumstances, does nothing. More frequently, however, it enables, supports and even provides weapons and backup to the settlers. This is the occupation – this #violence is not a bug, it is a feature. The state, the army, and the settlers have the same purpose – in Masaffer Yatta and throughout the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories: the creation of territorial continuity in Israeli control that cuts the West Bank into pieces. These aims – territorial control and the removal of the Palestinians – has led to the biggest population transfer since 1967, taking place as we speak in Masafer Yatta. The army and the settlers are equal partners in this project.
The occupation and the oppression of the Palestinians are closely linked to Israeli #capitalism. For the Israeli elites, the occupation is #profitable. Israeli Weapon companies make millions from selling #weapons to regimes such as Yemen and the United Arabs Emirates. Weapons that are sold after they were tried on Gaza and the West Bank – and are promoted by the misery, the poverty, and the death that it had created. As well, the occupation is profitable – as a device to abuse Palestinian workers. Israeli #corporations and wealthy people employ Palestinians both, in the occupied territories and inside Israel, and #abuse them with long working hours and low salaries, taking advantage of the fact that the Palestinians have no way to secure their rights. In that way the rich profit directly from the oppression of the Palestinians people.
The #narrative of the country perpetuated through the educational system provides a narrow #colonialist view on history and on the reality in the state of #Israel. It tells us that the country was built by heroic pioneers, without ever discussing what and who was here before. It tells us about villages and cities that were built, but not how Palestinian lands were bought and their inhabitants banished. It creates a false unity of Jewish interests with the Jewish rich, rather than with the Palestinians. It tries to make us think that the occupation benefits us, the Jewish workers, in order to eliminate any possibility of true solidarity with the Palestinians or bringing an end to the #occupation – all of which stands to hurt in their pocket.
We live in a country that call itself self enlightened and liberal, "the only democracy in the middle east", but at the same time, runs a murderous #apartheid regime and commits war crimes regularly and systematically. Israel implements policies of house demolitions, journalists’ killings, of breaking into homes, mass arrests, the arrest of children, collective punishments; illegal #settlements, a siege on #Gaza and much more on a daily basis. This country exploits our personal loss and pain over the people we loved and who died because of this cruel reality, to further its #propaganda.
As humans we must resist this reality. As humans we must refuse to demolish homes, arrest children, and refuse the destructive reality that Palestinians live in. As humans we must make amends for the wrongs of the past of the occupation and the Nakba.
As workers we must show #solidarity and #cooperation with Palestinian workers, and fight against the rich that profit from our #expolitation.
As potential army inductees, this is our opportunity not only to serve the country and the army. It is our opportunity to support the fight for #justice, #peace, and #equality. Whether through psychological disqualification, by appealing to the army’s conscientious objection’s committee or through serving jail sentences, we refuse to serve in the occupation army. We must fight for a better future. It will not be easy. Our opponents are strong. However, where there is #oppression, there is also #brotherhood and #solidarity, and that no one can take from us.
In solidarity,
Nave
#Israel #Palestine #ConscientiousObjector #ConscientiousObjection #OccupationObjector
