Day of action of the #ObjectWarCampaign on the International Day of Conscientious Objection to War
Interview with Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V.
(14.06.2023) On this year’s International Day of Conscientious Objection, 30 organizations from Europe have called for protection for all conscientious objectors from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Together with the organizers of the #ObjectWarCampaign, Connection e.V. traveled to Berlin to participate in a central action in front of the European Commission Bureau at the Brandenburg Gate on 15 May 2023. The action was coordinated with events in other cities. During an interview, Rudi Friedrich, executive director of Connection e.V., reports on this year’s day of action and general news about the #ObjectWarCampaign (ed.).
Nearly 50,000 signatures handed over in Berlin on the International Day of Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection is a human right. This includes the right to asylum!
(15.05.2023) On this year’s International Day of Conscientious Objection, 30 organizations from Europe called for protection for all those who refuse military service in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. During a festive event, almost 50,000 signatures of the #ObjectWarCampaign collected on the platform WeMove.eu were handed over to the European Commission in Berlin. The presentation of the petition was accompanied by speeches of national and international guests from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, additional actions and music.
Protection and asylum for all those from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine who refuse military service
Action weeks around the International Day of Conscientious Objection
We call to organise around the "International Day of Conscientious Objection", 15 May, rallies and demonstrations in front of Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian government institutions as well as EU representations, vigils in front of deserter monuments and many other creative actions in different places. Conscientious objection is a human right!
Gallery: Protest Against a Possible Entry into the War in Ukraine by Belarus
Support Conscientious Objectors and Deserters
(21.02.2023) Under the title “No Means No – to the War in Ukraine” organizations from Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Greece, United Kingdom, the Netherlands demonstrated in front of Belarusian Embassies on the 20th of February. The date was chosen because on the 20th of February 2022, Russian troops were ordered to stay in Belarus after the end of a joint exercise with the Belarusian army. Four days later, the attack against Ukraine began, including Russian troops based in the territory of Belarus. Up until now no Belarusian troops have joined the war, though Belarus provides logistical aid to Russia.
The protesters demanded the protection of all war resisters, also those from Russia and Ukraine. “We support the appeal ’No means no’ by Nash Dom, the Belarusian human rights organization, to refuse to be recruited to the army or to leave it if they are already serving”, Schweitzer said in Berlin. European goverments, this was another demand of the demonstration, should create humanitarian corridor for conscientious objectors.
