Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Solidarity with the Ukrainian journalist and conscientious objector Ruslan Kotsaba

Brutally assaulted by right-wing radicals

(28.06.2021) On 25 June 2021 the President of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement Ruslan Kotsaba was attacked by a neo-Nazi gang at the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. Later he underwent surgery to save his sight due to a burn in his retina with the chemical brilliant green or "zelenka". The doctors diagnosed a corneal burn on one eye and he is now undergoing ophthalmological treatment. The attack is likely to be related to the court hearing against Ruslan Kotsaba scheduled for Tuesday, June 29.

Turkey: Conscientious Objection Association publishes significant report on the situation of conscientious objectors

(06.07.2021) Yesterday the Istanbul-based Association for Conscientious Objection (Vicdani Ret Dernği) published a comprehensive report on the situation of conscientious objectors in Turkey. "The report," the association said in its press release, "details the rights violations and juridical processes conscientious objectors in Turkey are experiencing." Turkey, which is a member of NATO, has compulsory military service, usually lasting six months, and does not recognise conscientious objection. The English version of the report can be downloaded at https://en.connection-ev.org/pdfs/expert-opinion-turkey-2021.pdf.

South Korea: Top court confirms acquittal of man who refused enlistment for nonviolence beliefs

(24.06.2021) The Supreme Court upheld the appellate court’s acquittal of the man, a self-identifying "queer feminist," indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act for refusing to follow his conscription in 2017.

Turkey and Conscientious Objection: Stop the Civil Death!

Gallery about the action in Frankfurt am Main May 15, 2021

(15.05.2021) Today, about 40 people made a protest action on the square Hauptwache against the persecution of conscientious objectors in Turkey, which still exists. "Conscientious objection is a human right. Turkey must also recognise this!" said Rudi Friedrich of Connection e.V. today. "The Turkish government turns a blind eye to various rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and subjects conscientious objectors in the country to lifelong persecution. This is unacceptable! However, it is an example of the Turkish government’s policy of waging war in neighbouring countries and harshly persecuting criticism and opposition through various criminal offences."