Conscientious objection

Nos queremos independizar de toda forma de militarización y armamentismo.
20 de julio día por la independencia. Plaza de Bolívar: Hora 3:00 p.m.

Luis Gabriel Caldas
Vocero Continental
Red de Objeción

Luis Gabriel Caldas
Vocero Continental

Paraguay

enviado por Orly, desde el SERPAJ PY

9 de agosto del 2001

Después de siete años de vigencia de la Constitución Nacional todavía no se reglamenta la figura de la Objeción de Conciencia. Hubo dos intentos, uno en 1996 y otro en 1997, en ambas oportunidades el poder ejecutivo vetó las leyes sancionadas por el Congreso.

Shalom,

My name is Yair Halper and I am a conscientious objector to military service. On Wednesday the 17 October 2001, I will be incarcerated for my beliefs.

I consider myself a pacifist, and I am using that word only for the lack of a better one. I am only 18, still a child (at least in my eyes). I keep asking myself what the hell do I know about pacifism? My beliefs were never really tested.

A Call For Conscientious Objection to War and War Preparations

War Resisters' International, an international network of pacifist organisations with 90 affiliates in more than 40 countries, calls for conscientious objection whenever and wherever war is being prepared or fought. We are deeply shocked and outraged by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11th. Equally, we condemn the so-called war on terrorism.

The coming Sunday, on 12 August 2001, I will probably be imprisoned in military prison because I refuse to be conscripted to the Israeli army, as doing so would oppose my conscience.

I was born and raised in South Africa during the Apartheid regime. The repression of the blacks which I witnessed during that period, became a basis for my human and non-violent ideals today.

Today, after 8 years of living in Israel and studying Israeli history I have come to realise that the Israeli army practices inhumane and violent tactics on its way to peace.

Adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on 23 May 2001

Exercise of the right of conscientious objection to military service in Council of Europe member states

by Andreas Speck

Tavistock Square, London

By Roberta Bacic

Today, Tuesday May 15th, we gather in Tavistock Square around this commemorative stone which was unveiled here, in 1994, to remember Conscientious Objectors from all over the world and in every age.

This day, the 15th of May, is considered International Conscientious Objectors' Day since 1982. It was first observed by European conscientious objectors to compulsory military service as a focus both: on campaigning for the right of objection to be established where it was lacking, and of support for objectors everywhere.

Shortly after achieving independence from Portugal in 1975, armed conflict broke out between the Peoples' Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The civil war lasted nearly 20 years, in which the MPLA controlled the majority of the country and the UNITA fought a guerrilla war against the government forces. The war ended with the 1 May 1991 Bicesse peace accords, which led to presidential elections in 1992.

Former political prisoner, Rafael Marques, argues that no matter what the revelations about the role of oil and diamonds in the Angolan war, for the majority of Angolans they will be little more than excuses used to justify the carnage. The core issue is the right of the Angolan people to live in peace.

Rafael Marques

Emanuel Matondo

On this year's 15th of May, the International Conscientious Objectors Day, I would like to recall all the pacifists, antimilitarist activists and human rights defenders the impunity in which the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other acts of cruelty are still living today in Angola.