Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Conscientious objector Zana Aksu sentenced to imprisonment

(18.09.2021) For an alleged violation of Turkish military law, conscientious objector and human rights activist Zana Aksu has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Criminal Division of the Eruh District Court. He is also to pay a fine of 10,000 TL (equivalent to about 1,000 euros). Aksu had already been charged with insubordination in 2018 and acquitted. The prosecution did not let up and initiated proceedings again last year. This time with success for the time being. The verdict is not yet final.

Turkey: Conscientious Objection Bulletin

May - July 2021

(04.08.2021) In the forth issue of the Conscientious Objection Bulletin, you may find informations about the applications that we’ve received in May to July of 2021, the three-months up-to-date information on the violations of rights experienced by conscientious objectors, up-to-date information on the legal cases followed by VR-DER (Conscientious Objection Association), and the conscientious objection declarations made from May to July.

If you want to get information about the monitoring work carried out by VRDER, you can contact us on our website and social media accounts.

Turkey: Conscientious Objection Association publishes significant report on the situation of conscientious objectors

(06.07.2021) Yesterday the Istanbul-based Association for Conscientious Objection (Vicdani Ret Dernği) published a comprehensive report on the situation of conscientious objectors in Turkey. "The report," the association said in its press release, "details the rights violations and juridical processes conscientious objectors in Turkey are experiencing." Turkey, which is a member of NATO, has compulsory military service, usually lasting six months, and does not recognise conscientious objection. The English version of the report can be downloaded at https://en.connection-ev.org/pdfs/expert-opinion-turkey-2021.pdf.

Turkey and Conscientious Objection: Stop the Civil Death!

Gallery about the action in Frankfurt am Main May 15, 2021

(15.05.2021) Today, about 40 people made a protest action on the square Hauptwache against the persecution of conscientious objectors in Turkey, which still exists. "Conscientious objection is a human right. Turkey must also recognise this!" said Rudi Friedrich of Connection e.V. today. "The Turkish government turns a blind eye to various rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and subjects conscientious objectors in the country to lifelong persecution. This is unacceptable! However, it is an example of the Turkish government’s policy of waging war in neighbouring countries and harshly persecuting criticism and opposition through various criminal offences."