International Conscientious Objection Day

This Friday, 15th May, is International Conscientious Objection Day. This year, War Resisters’ International, together with Connection e.V., has called for your video contributions for our online action. We received your videos celebrating this day, sharing your stories as conscientious objectors as well as your solidarity messages with conscientious objectors.

This year on International Conscientious Objection Day, 15th May, we are focusing on conscientious objection and the right to seek asylum this year. A lot of the present refugees have to leave their countries because of forced recruitment in countries that don't recognise the right to conscientious objection. We say: protecting people who decide not to go to war would be an important and necessary step to struggle against war and oppression!

Every year on 15th May, we celebrate International Conscientious Objection Day. On this day, we remember and celebrate conscientious objectors' resistance for peace, their refusal to bears arms and take part in war - throughout history and today. This year, we're focusing on Colombia and standing in solidarity with Colombian conscientious objectors. Read more here how you can support Colombian conscientious objectors.

On this International Conscientious Objection Day, we stand in solidarity with conscientious objectors in Colombia, who refuse to be conscripted and bear arms despite various obstacles they face. Read their statement giving a background of their struggle and urging their government to act on a number of issues here. Helps us to circulate their call and reach out to more people.

On 15th May - International Conscientious Objection Day - War Resisters' International drew attention to the 250+ young people in jail in South Korea for refusing military service. Hundreds of people sent messages of protest to the Korean authorities and messages of support to conscientious objectors in South Korea!

On 15th day activists around the world marked International Conscientious Objection Day. We stood in solidarity with conscientious objectors in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), over 250 of whom are in prison - right now - for refusing military service.

Tuesday 15th May is International Conscientious Objection day. Use our text to send a postcard to protest the imprisonment of over 250 war refusers in South Korea.

A statement from World Without War, WRI's member group in South Korea, for International Conscientious Objection Day.

Take action on 15th May to support over 250 young people in jail in South Korea, and demand that conscientious objectors not be imprisoned in future.

International Conscientious Objection Day was marked on Monday 15th May by antimilitarists around the world, celebrating those who have - and those who continue - to resist war, especially by refusing to be part of military structures. It’s a day when we celebrate refusal, disobedience, and everything that says no to militarism. But also a day when we say yes to nonviolence, solidarity, and reclaiming our bodies and communities for coexistence!

This article was first published in May in Friedensforum / Peace Forum

International Conscientious Objection Day was marked on Monday by antimilitarists around the world, celebrating those who have - and those who continue - to resist war, especially by refusing to be part of military structures.

It’s a day when we celebrate refusal, disobedience, and everything that says no to militarism. But also a day when we say yes to nonviolence, solidarity, and reclaiming our bodies and communities for coexistence!