Kerem Koç

Kerem Koç

Turkish Protestant pastor declares his conscientious objection to military service

EBCO calls Turkey to implement without delay its human right obligations for conscientious objectors

by European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO)

(28.11.2012) Kerem Koç, Protestant pastor living in Antalya, declared his conscientious objection to military service on 12 November 2012. In his letter to the Turkish military authorities he stated: “I cannot support an institution in which militarist world views and politics are sovereign, and where hatred leads brother to kill brother over race, religion, or language. For this reason, I will not be part of any armed force. Human beings are created in God's image, and are more important than any geopolitical boundaries or notions of ethnic territory. I believe people should live together in peace.“

Since he announced his objection Kerem Koç and his family have become a target for cursing and threats from nationalistic circles. Kerem who received his military call-up by 15 November underlines his readiness to perform a civilian alternative service that is compatible with his conscience.

Reminding the repressive treatment of Turkish conscientious objectors in the past and taking note of the difficult situation of Kerem Koç EBCO urges once more the Turkish government to comply with its human right obligations for conscientious objectors. “Turkey is required to implement immediately the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights and to enact a legislation providing for a liberal right to conscientious objection and a non-discriminatory alternative service”, Friedhelm Schneider, EBCO’s president, said today. He added: “For a candidate country of the European Union which is the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2012 Turkey’s permanent violation of the human right of conscientious objection to military service is absolutely inadmissible and should no longer be ignored by the international political agenda.”

European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO): Turkish Protestant pastor declares his conscientious objection to military service - EBCO calls Turkey to implement without delay its human right obligations for conscientious objectors. Press release, November 28, 2012.

Keywords:    ⇒ Conscientious Objection   ⇒ Human Rights   ⇒ Kerem Koc   ⇒ Turkey