United Nations

Empowering conscientious objectors to take advantage of human rights mechanisms

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riLHRtZ4Biw width:400 height:300]

IFOR representiative Derek Brett gives an introduction to the status of conscientious objection in human rights law.

With thanks to Paul at Fourman Films for this: http://www.youtube.com/user/fourmanfilms

Jørgen Johansen

The illegal blockade of Gaza has been condemned by most major international actors. The horrible consequences of this brutal violation of humanitarian law are unacceptable from every point of view. One and a half million people interned on the small strip (45 square km) between Israel, the Mediterranean, and Egypt. The blockade has reduced the transport of goods to and from Gaza by 80%.

Wendela de Vries

After years of lobbying by NGO's, the United Nations decided to start negotiations for a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The objective of this treaty is to create a legal mechanism to prevent 'unethical' arms trade. Arms should not be exported when there is a serious risk that they might be used in human rights violations, in war crimes, organised crime or terrorism. They should also not be sold to unstable regions, poor countries or corrupt regimes. Reading this, one cannot conclude anything else than that that this treaty is meant to end all arms trade. However, as is well known, international treaties should not be taken too seriously, especially not when they aim at soft goals like respect for peace and human rights. In the first place, clever diplomatic phrasing will leave lots of useful loopholes for a treaty not to be effective. In the second place, if a state does not is not live up to the treaty, there will be no consequenses. Unless, of course, it is a paria state already.

Introduction

Conscientious objection to
military service is not explicitly recognised in the international
human rights standards. This has led some States to argue that it is
not protected by them. However, this is not the case.

Reference Materials

Glossary

1503 Procedure

A confidential Procedure of the Sub-Commission and Commission on Human Rights, aimed at identifying patterns of gross violations of human rights.

This report was commissioned by QUNO, the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva, and has been published by CONCODOC in London.

The War Resisters' International Women's Working Group will NOT be attending the United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing.

While we felt that there was much that an anti-militarist women's organisation could offer to the conference, and while we particularly want to argue against the suggestion that greater involvement of women in the armed forces can in any way contribute to work for women's rights, we are so appalled by the choice of Beijing as a location that we feel we must boycott this meeting. Some of our reasons follow:

The question of what is called "humanitarian" military intervention -- whether through the United Nations in the name of "peace enforcement" or through other bodies in the name of stopping slaughter -- is now a central and divisive issue for peace movements. Later this year, following discussion at our Council meeting in July, War Resisters' International hopes to issue a fuller document discussing this question. At this stage, however, we want to set the scene by posing certain questions for peace campaigners.

The General Assembly,

Mindful that the Charter of the United Nations sets forth, as one of the purposes of the Organization, the achievement of international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recalling article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has the right to freedom of though, conscience and religion,