Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Conscientious Objectors Share Their Stories

Part II: Kemal Soylu

(11.06.2024) This is Merve Arkun from the Conscientious Objection Watch, Turkey. We are happy to share with you the second video of the series of interviews we started to share the stories of conscientious objectors from Turkey, the first video of which we published on the International Day of Conscientious Objection. In the second interview of the interview series, we share the experiences of conscientious objector Kemal Soylu.

"You can’t fight your way to peace"

From a 20 y/o Israeli to a 99 y/o Briton, eight conscientious objectors on why they refused to serve in the army

(08.06.2024) Military service for 18-year-olds is a key Tory election pledge in the UK. But in countries with conscription, opting out comes at a heavy cost – ostracisation, fines and time in prison. With Peter Hathorn (South Africa), Einat Gerlitz (Israel), Merve Arkun (Turkey), Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal (Thailand), Bill Galvin (USA), Oleg Sofyanik (Ukraine), Mikita Sviryd (Belarus/Lithuania) and Timothy Tyndall (UK).

Testimony of Conscientious Objector Kenan Kahya: Conscientious Objection is a Human Right!

Interview Series Part l

(15.05.2024) On the International Day of Conscientious Objection, we’re starting to share the testimonies of the conscientious objectors from Turkey. In the first of the interview series, you’ll hear the testimonies of conscientious objector Kenan Kahya. Kenan Kahya, who declared his conscientious objection in 2017, faces many restrictions and violations, from the violation of his right to work to the restriction of his freedom of travel, because he refuses compulsory military service.

War In Europe: What Is Happening To Conscientious Objectors?

Press Release: Publication of EBCO Annual Report “Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe 2023/24”

(14.05.2024) The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) announces its forthcoming publication of its Annual Report “Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe 2023/24” on May 15^th, international conscientious objection day. It will be available online on 15 May 2024 on the EBCO website (www.ebco-beoc.org).

For the second year, this report is necessarily dominated by the war in Ukraine, with a large part of the space being taken up with reports of developments in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus and the situation of refugees from these countries. EBCO continues working on the #ObjectWarCampaign, which was jointly launched by Connection e.V., War Resisters’ International (WRI), International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), and European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO).