#pacifist

steelnomad@diasp.org

The marriage of military metaphysics with eschatological ambition is a misbegotten one... it invites endless war and the ever-deepening militarization of U.S. policy... as it alienates people and nations around the world, it will leave the United States increasingly isolated. If history is any guide, it will end in bankruptcy, moral as well as economic, and in abject failure.

-From The New American Militarism, by Andrew J. Bacevich

#militarism #militarization #military #war #antimilitary #antiwar #peace #pacifist #pacifism

steelnomad@diasp.org

While Americans ate a thanksgiving feast...

#Israel was imprisoning its own youth who stood up for #peace and human rights

Read their brave statement here

More detail on what happened:

...in Israel, four conscientious objectors, Shahar Schwartz (18-year-old), Einat Gerlitz (19), Evyatar Moshe Rubin (19), and Nave Shabtay Levin (18), were imprisoned again for their refusal to serve in the #military. The four objectors jointly declared their refusal to join the #Israeli #army in September, stating their refusal to take part in the Israeli #occupation of the #WestBank and #Gaza Strip. With their last #imprisonment, each of them will stay 45 days more in prison.

#antiwar #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights

steelnomad@diasp.org

Just a few days away! December 1:

Write to those imprisoned around the world for refusing to take up arms
Messages of solidarity for conscientious objectors!

Prisoners for Peace list, November 2022

1st December is #Prisoners for #Peace Day. For over 60 years, War Resisters' International have, on this day, made known the names and stories of those imprisoned because of their actions for peace. Many are #ConscientiousObjectors, in gaol for refusing to join the #military. Others have taken #nonviolent actions to disrupt preparation for #war.

This day is a chance for you to demonstrate your #support for those individuals and their movements, by #writing to those whose #freedom has been taken away from them because of their work for peace.

#antiwar #propeace #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights

steelnomad@diasp.org

Please mark your calendars! December 1, 2022.

Prisoners for Peace Day - Write to imprisoned objectors

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

steelnomad@diasp.org
Please read and share, for the sake of human rights:

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

steelnomad@diasp.org

From War Resisters International:

War Profiteer Profile: Krušik Valjevo

Krušik Valjevo is a #Serbian state-owned arms company founded in 1939. They specialise in the production of high-explosive mortar shells, grenades, air #bombs and mines. The company’s revenue in 2018 was €94m, and they employ over 3,000 people. The company claims to have #contracts with over 70 countries, with key exports to #UAE, Cyprus, #USA, Bulgaria and #SaudiArabia.

The company’s main facilities were heavily bombed in 1999 during the Kosovo #war, with hundreds of bombs calling on the factory, including by #NATO carpet bombing raids – workers have described the experience of working in the factory while it was being bombed, the steps taken during the war to move equipment to other facilities, and how when martial law was declared workers were expected to continue working.

The state-owned company has a close relationship with Serbian politicans and their families. For example, in 2018 it was reported that the Serbian Interior Minister’s father was involved in an arms deal with Saudi Arabia.

Read more at https://wri-irg.org/en/story/2022/war-profiteer-profile-krusik-valjevo

#corruption #militarism #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights

steelnomad@diasp.org

Disrupt Land Forces festival 2022 in Australia

Disrupt Land Forces is a #festival of #resistance, #ideas, and #stories. We invite people to #resist #war and foster #peace and #justice in whatever ways are possible, meaningful, and accessible to them.

Disrupt Land Forces will be held from the 1st to the 7th of October 2022 on Yuggera and Turrbul Country in Meanjin (Brisbane).

#pacifist #pacifism #HumanRights

Tagging @Sunyata ☸ 👨🏻‍💻 ☮ and @Tulsa Peace Fellowship because #antiwar and #peace

Tagging @Clarice Boomshakalaka Bouvier @clarice again as well, please feel free to share with others if you would like to do so.

steelnomad@diasp.org

Ukrainian Pacifists: War is a crime against humanity

On April 17, 2022, Ukrainian pacifists adopted a statement reposted here...

Ukrainian Pacifist Movement is gravely concerned about the active burning of bridges for a #peaceful #resolution of #conflict between #Russia and #Ukraine on both sides and signals of intentions to continue the #bloodshed indefinitely to achieve some sovereign ambitions.

We condemn the #Russian decision to invade Ukraine on 24 February 2022, which led to a fatal escalation and thousands of deaths, reiterating our #condemnation of the reciprocal #violations of the #ceasefire envisaged in Minsk agreements by Russian and #Ukrainian combatants in #Donbas prior to the escalation of Russian #aggression.

We condemn the mutual labeling of parties to the conflict as Nazi-alike enemies and #war criminals, stuffed into legislation, reinforced by the official #propaganda of extreme and irreconcilable #hostility. We believe that the law should build #peace, not incite war; and #history should give us examples how people can return to peaceful life, not excuses for continuing the war. We insist that accountability for crimes must be established by an independent and competent judicial body in due process of law, in result of unbiased and impartial investigation, especially in the most serious crimes, such as #genocide. We emphasize that the tragic consequences of military brutality must not be used to incite #hatred and justify new #atrocities, on the contrary, such #tragedies should cool the fighting spirit and encourage a persistent search for the most bloodless ways to end the war.

We condemn military actions on both sides, the hostilities which harm civilians. We insist that all shooting should be stopped, all sides should honor the memory of killed people and, after due grief, calmly and honestly commit to peace talks.

We condemn statements on the Russian side about the intention to achieve certain goals by military means if they cannot be achieved through #negotiations.

We condemn statements on the Ukrainian side that continuation of peace talks depends on winning the best negotiating positions at the battlefield.

We condemn the unwillingness of both sides to cease fire during the peace talks.

We condemn the practice of forcing #civilians to conduct military service, to perform military tasks and to support the army against the will of peaceful people in Russia and Ukraine. We insist that such practices, especially during hostilities, grossly violate the principle of distinction between militaries and civilians in international #humanitarian law. Any forms of contempt for the human right to conscientious objection to military service are unacceptable.

We condemn all military support provided by Russia and NATO countries for militant radicals in Ukraine provoking further escalation of the military #conflict.

We call on all peace-loving people in Ukraine and around the world to remain peace-loving people in all circumstances and to help others to be peace-loving people, to collect and disseminate knowledge about peaceful and #nonviolent way of life, to tell the #truth that unites peace-loving people, to #resist evil and #injustice without #violence, and debunk myths about necessary, beneficial, inevitable, and just war. We don’t call for any particular action now to ensure that peace plans will not be targeted by hatred and attacks of #militarists, but we are confident that #pacifists of the world have a good imagination and experience of practical realization of their best dreams. Our actions should be guided by hope for a peaceful and happy future, and not by fears. Let our peace work bring closer the future from dreams.

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.”

#CODay #peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org

Statement of the Movement of Conscientious Objectors (Russia) for the International Conscientious Objection Day

Author(s) Movement of Conscientious Objectors (Russia)
Dear conscientious objectors to military service, today we mark our #CO day while #war is being waged.

As the war with #Ukraine began, the notion of refusing #military service in #Russia has become especially topical. Before the war, most #conscripts and their relatives did not associate military service as conscripts with actual #warfare. #Conscription appeared to be something akin to a sports camp with elements of military training.

Regardless of their political views, the healthy feeling of fear of participating in warfare in the territory of a foreign country forces people to file appeals for alternative civilian service and to protect their right not to serve in the #army by other means.

For some of the #objectors to military service, the chance to specify in their application that they object to Russia's war in Ukraine is important. This is a legal form of expressing one's disagreement directly to the representatives of state authorities—a matter of #moral significance.

In the course of the months of warfare, we have witnessed a totally new phenomenon: cases in which professional #soldiers refuse to participate in the special operation[*] and demand to terminate their contracts. We wish to express our special #gratitude to those soldiers and police officers who had the courage to #refuse to kill and die in a foreign land, who refused to participate in the special operation.

Today, when many people apprehend the introduction of partial of full [military] mobilisation in Russia, it is precisely the right to conscientious objection to military service that offers them support.

The Movement of Conscientious Objectors in Russia expresses its #solidarity with all those who oppose war, with everyone who stands against the act of #aggression. We wish and pray, with all our might, for Ukraine to survive the assault and retain its independence.

[* "The special operation" is Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine; formally, it is not a war, but a "special operation", and is being referred to as such in official contexts in Russia]

Заявление Движения сознательных отказчиков к Международному дню отказчиков от военной службы — 15 мая 2022
Дорогие сознательные отказчики от военной службы! Сегодня мы встречаем наш день во время ведения военных действий.

С началом войны с Украиной идея отказа от военной службы в России стала особенно актуальной. До войны большинство призывников и их родных не связывали военную службу по призыву и военные действия. Призыв представлялся им чем-то вроде спортивного лагеря с элементами военной подготовки.

Независимо от политических взглядов, здоровое чувство страха перед участием в военных действиях на территории чужого государства заставляет людей подавать заявления на альтернативную гражданскую службу и защищать свое право не служить в армии другими способами.

Для части отказчиков от военной службы важным является возможность в своем заявлении указать, что они являются противниками войны Россия в Украине. Это легальная форма выражения своего несогласия непосредственно представителям власти, что имеет моральное значение.

За месяцы военных действий мы увидели совершенно новое явление: случаи, когда военнослужащие по контракту отказываются участвовать в спецоперации, требуют расторжения контракта. Мы выражаем особую благодарность тем военнослужащим и сотрудникам полиции, которые имели мужество отказаться убивать и умирать в чужой стране, отказались от участия в спецоперации.

Сегодня, когда многие люди опасаются возможного введения частичной или полной мобилизации в России, именно право на отказ от военной службы по убеждениям совести становится для них поддержкой.

Движение сознательных отказчиков от военной службы России выражает солидарность со всеми противниками войны, со всеми, кто противостоит агрессии. Мы из всех сил желаем и молимся, чтобы Украина выстояла и сохранила свою независимость.

Р24 февраля 2022 ДСО опубликовало Заявление в связи с началом спецоперации

#CODay #peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org

The History of International Conscientious Objectors' Day

International Conscientious Objectors' Day was first observed in 1982 by West European #objectors to #compulsory #military service, as a focus both of campaigning for the right of #objection to be established where it was lacking, and of support for objectors everywhere. The date 15th May was chosen simply because it happened to be mutually convenient in 1982 but was retained for renewed activity in 1983 and 1984. Then in 1985 it was formally adopted by the European Bureau of Conscientious Objectors and soon received worldwide recognition – being adopted by War Resisters' International – and changed from being European Conscientious Objectors' Day to International Conscientious Objectors' Day.

Ever since, it has been marked by #vigils outside #prisons or barracks where #COs are held, by #demonstrations at embassies of states where COs are not recognised and/or unfairly treated, by street theatre, and by ceremonies where names of conscientious objectors past or present are read out and publicly honoured.

#CODay #peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org

Today is International Conscientious Objectors’ Day

Around the world many are imprisoned, sometimes even tortured, for refusing military service.
Civilians and soldiers often do not understand their legal rights when it comes to conscientious objection.
Here are 2 organizations you can support today (or anytime!) to make a difference for conscientious objectors:

Here is PPU's call for support for their annual CO ceremony which was today:

​Please think of donating to support this annual event - We'd be really grateful for your support, which helps us improve the event year on year and raise more awareness of the struggles of COs.

​In recent years we've reached more and more people, including online, and we'd love to keep the momentum going. Here is the donation link:https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/20705

If you have other local peace organizations where you live, please consider volunteering your time or donating to support their efforts too.

I hope today some of you will consider giving to support worthy nonprofits protecting those who refuse to kill.

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org

Tomorrow!

CODay

May 15th, International Conscientious Objection Day: Solidarity with COs from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine

War Resisters International shared the following:

Every year on 15th May, the International Conscientious Objection Day, we organise #solidarity with conscientious objectors (COs) and draw attention to their #resistance to #war. This year, with the ongoing war in #Ukraine, we have a particular focus on the resistance of conscientious objectors from #Russia, #Belarus and Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the #Russian #invasion of Ukraine, we keep getting reports of conscientious objectors refusing to fight and get involved in this war. Groups like the Movement of Conscientious Objectors (Russia) and the Ukranian Pacifist Movement have been sharing their calls for peace and repeating their refusal to take up #arms. There are many others seeking #refuge in other countries to avoid being conscripted or as deserters.

On this International Conscientious Objection Day, we will share their messages of peace and your messages of solidarity with them.

Join us on this day of solidarity with COs from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine! Post your messages of solidarity with COs from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine on social media with the hashtag #CODay.

If you have friends or family using mainstream social media, please ask them to participate using hashtag #CODay for messages of solidarity.

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org
Where does YOUR country stand?

World survey of conscription and conscientious objection to military service

War Resisters' International maintains the World survey of #conscription and conscientious objection to #military service - a database of country profiles and information on the situation for conscientious objectors (COs) and #conscripts around the world. This unique resource exists to assist #activists, #researchers, lawyers and other interested parties to find out more about both trends in conscription worldwide, and specific information on individual #states. It has been used to assist COs seeking #asylum, to give #solidarity activists #information in planning campaigns, to give campaigners against conscription examples from other states to put pressure on their own #governments, and in academic #research.

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org
Internacional de Resistentes a la Guerra:

El correo electrónico de Alertas OC

El correo electrónico de Alertas OC está destinado para casos de objeción de conciencia o acciones #antimilitaristas. Se envían Alertas OC por correo electrónico en cuanto la oficina de la IRG recibe la información sobre el #encarcelamiento o el juicio de un/a objetor/a de conciencia. Esta es una herramienta poderosa para movilizar #apoyos y #protestas. Proporcionamos un formulario de contacto por email para que podáis contactar de manera simple con las autoridades en apoyo a un/a activista #noviolento/a que esté sufriendo #represión.

En muchos países, la #cárcel continúa siendo el destino de los objetores de conciencia (OC). Miles de OC continúan en #prisión – en Corea del Sur, Israel, Finlandia, Colombia y muchos otros países. A pesar de que muchos países han introducido leyes sobre la objeción de conciencia, muchos OC siguen enfrentándose a penas de cárcel porque no se ajustan a los criterios de las autoridades o porque se niegan a realizar un servicio alternativo. La Internacional de Resistentes a la Guerra apoya a los objetores de conciencia que están encarcelados debido a su #objeción o a aquellos que se enfrentan a la represión del estado o de entidades estatales.

https://wri-irg.org/es/programmes/co_alerts

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org
War Resisters International:

Die Liste für CO-Alarmnachrichten

Die Liste für CO-Alarmnachrichten ist besonders für solche Fälle gedacht, die Aktionen von #Kriegsdienstverweigerern oder #Antimilitaristen betreffen. CO-Alarmnachrichten werden per Email versandt, sobald das WRI-Büro Informationen über die Inhaftierung oder das Gerichtsverfahren eines Kriegsdienstverweigerers erhält. Sie sind ein mächtiges Werkzeug, um Unterstützung und Protest zu mobilisieren. Wir stellen ein Email-Kontaktformular zur Verfügung, damit Ihr schnell und einfach die Behörden kontaktieren könnt, als Unterstützung eines gewaltfreien Aktivisten, der Repressionen ausgesetzt ist.

In vielen Ländern ist das Gefängnis immer noch das Schicksal der #Kriegsdienstverweigerer (COs). Tausende von COs sind immer noch im Gefängnis – in Südkorea, Israel, Finnland, Kolumbien und vielen anderen Ländern. Obgleich viele Länder Gesetze über die Kriegsdienstverweigerung eingeführt haben, werden immer noch viele COs inhaftiert, weil sie entweder nicht in die Kriterien der Behörden passen oder sich weigern, Ersatzdienst zu leisten. Die War Resisters‘ International unterstützt Kriegsdienstverweigerer, die aufgrund ihrer Verweigerung inhaftiert werden oder Repressionen durch den Staat oder staatsähnliche Instanzen ausgesetzt sind.

https://wri-irg.org/de/programmes/co_alerts

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org
War Resisters International can keep you informed about conscientious objectors:

CO Action alerts

The CO-Alert email list is specifically for alerts in cases of conscientious objection or #antimilitarist action. CO-Alerts are sent out by email as soon as the WRI office receives information on the #imprisonment or trial of a conscientious objector, are a powerful tool to mobilise #support and #protest. We provide an email contact form, so you can quickly and simply contact the authorities, in support of a #nonviolent #activist who is facing #repression.

In many countries, #prison is still the fate of conscientious objectors (COs). Thousands of COs are still in prison -- in South Korea, Israel, Finland, Colombia, and many other countries. Despite many countries having introduced laws on conscientious objection, many COs still face imprisonment, because they either don't fit into the authorities' criteria, or they refuse to perform any substitute service. War Resisters' International supports conscientious objectors who are imprisoned because of their conscientious objection, or face repression by the state or state-like entities.

Sign up here: https://wri-irg.org/en/programmes/co_alerts

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org

A Conscientious Objector's Guide to the International Human Rights System

Empowering conscientious objectors to take advantage of human rights mechanisms

WRI hosts 'A Conscientious Objector's Guide to the International Human Rights System'. This is an update of 'A Conscientious Objector's Guide to the UN Human Rights System', published in 2000, and covers the multitude of developments that have taken place in terms of #HumanRights and #ConscientiousObjection since then. The various human rights systems are complicated and can be off-putting. Different mechanisms have their own processes, requirements, and potential outcomes. In addition, it can be difficult to choose which system might be the most effective, or most promising, to use. The main purpose of this Guide is to help individuals and organisations who wish to raise issues and cases about conscientious objection to work out what the possibilities are, how to use them, and the likely advantages and disadvantages of the different procedures. We hope that, in breaking down the steps involved, these mechanisms become more approachable.

#peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection

steelnomad@diasp.org
As we approach International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, I hope you will read:

South Korean NGOs: Stop the War in Ukraine! Give Peace a Chance!

On February 28, more than 390 South Korean NGOs held a press conference in front of the #Russian Embassy in South Korea calling on #Russia to stop its invasion of #Ukraine and calling for peace. Following their press conference, the NGOs representatives delivered their statement to the Russian Embassy.

#solidarity #SouthKorea #SouthKorean #Korean #SouthKorean #peace #antiwar #pacifist #pacifism #ConscientiousObjectors #ConscientiousObjection