Editorial

Dear readers of CO-Update.

Again, a double issue of CO-Update, as we were too busy to produce an update last months. We again report on Turkey, where progress has been made since WRI's participation in a strategy workshop in Istanbul at the end of February 2012 (see CO-Update No 71, February-March 2012). However, the progress shows the difficulties and contradictions conscientious objectors face in their struggle for the recognition of the right to conscientious objection, which is why the work of organisations such as War Resisters' International is so important.

A big part of our work in the last weeks has been the preparation of our international study conference on "Countering the Militarisation of Youth" (see below), which highlights a new area of work within WRI's Right to Refuse to Kill programme. With this conference, we take up the challenge of changes to military recruitment - and end to conscription in many countries - and tackle the militarisation of youth and our societies at large, which is aimed at creating a social climate "favourable to military recruitment".

While we are expanding our work in response to new challenges, we will not stop to fight for the right to conscientous objection - with or without conscription. But to continue to do this work War Resisters' International depends on your donations. We therefore kindly ask you to donate to WRI online at wri-irg.org/en/donate-en.htm.

Andreas Speck