Conscientious objection

Organized by War Resisters' International and Peace Action

20-23 June 2004, Boy Scouts' camp, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia

The Boy Scouts' camp was the place on which 60 peace activists from all around the world gathered on the seminar on subject Conscientious objection and peace. From 20 – 23 June the seminar was held, and the next two days were days for War Resisters International Council meeting.

International Seminar in Macedonia, June 2004

Introduction

War Resisters' International, the international network of pacifist organisations founded in 1921, and its Macedonian affiliate Peace Action are planning an international seminar on conscientious objection and peace in Ohrid, Macedonia in June 2004.

CCPR/CO/80/COL
26 May 2004

(...)

17. The Committee notes with concern that the legislation of the State party does not allow conscientious objection to military service.

The State party should guarantee that conscientious objectors are able to opt for alternative service whose duration would not have punitive effects (arts. 18 and 26).

(...)

Source: http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G04/419/12/PDF/G0441912.pdf?OpenElement

"Social Militarisation in Latin America: experiences of resistance to the New World Order"
and International nonviolent action training

War Resisters' International
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Ni Casco Ni Uniforme
Rob

Jonathan Ben-Artzi's struggle with them military is still not over. In April 2004, the pacifist was sentenced to two month in prison, after having been exempted from military service. Jonathan Ben-Artzi appealed against the sentence, and is presently not in prison.

Jonathan Ben-Artzi, a pacifist conscientious objector, told the IDF from early on that he does not have any intention to enlist. What followed was a long prelude to the later court-martial, consisting of several hearings in front of the Conscience committee, and repeated imprisonment.

Mexico

Conscription exists for men aged 18-40, recruitment is via ballot, as only 60000 recruits are needed from a pool of 975,000 men reaching conscription age annually. Conscientious objection is not recognised.

El Salvador

Conscription has not been enforced since the peace treaty of 1992. The right to conscientious objection is not recognised.

International Conscientious Objectors' Day is celebrated on 15 May since the early 1980's. It is a day to highlight the struggle of conscientious objectors for the right to conscientious objection, and against war and militarism, globally.

The disproportionate influence of militarism in Chile is not entirely due to Pinochet's military dictatorship (1973-90) but rather is a historical construction that has given character and form to the Chilean nation-state.

The focus of this year's International Conscientious Objectors' Day is a country - Chile - but also Latin America in general.

The Commission on Human Rights,

Bearing in mind that it is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, as well as the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the right not to be discriminated against,

Statement of the International Delegation

The Naval Court Martial of Thessaloniki decided today in the case of conscientious objector Lazaros Petromelidis not to be competent for trying a conscientious objector once he has been transferred to alternative service. For the first time in Greek CO history the legal dispute has been accepted that conscientious objector cases are civil cases without further court martial involvement.

The legal measures against Lazaros Petromelidis have been lifted.

Executive Summary
1. The Military Service System of the Republic of Korea
1.1 Outline of Military Service Regulations
1.2 Social Aspects of Military Service
2. Conscientious Objection to Military Service
2.1 Present Situation
Table1. Imprisoned Conscientious Objectors by Year
Table2.