Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Connection e.V. - About Us

Many countries practice forceful recruitment for war. Objectors are discriminated against and persecuted. Connection e.V., an association founded in 1993, advocates a comprehensive right to conscientious objection at an international level. The organisation collaborates with groups opposing war, conscription and the military. Beyond Europe, our network extends to Turkey, the U.S., Israel, Latin America and Africa.

The danger of prosecution has forced many conscientious objectors to leave their countries. However, prosecution as a conscientious objector is usually not recognized as a reason for asylum. Connection e.V. demands that conscientious objectors from war regions should get asylum. We offer counseling and information to refugees and support for their self-organization.

News on the #ObjectWarCampaign for deserters and conscientious objectors

Russia, Belarus, Ukraine

(12.09.2023) After the success of our last action week for the #ObjectWarCampaign in May 2023 that was organized in solidarity with conscientious objectors and deserters from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, we are now calling for another action week with more than 30 other organizations from Germany and Europe. It will occur on the International Human Rights Day from December 4-10, 2023.

Conference: Conscientious Objection in Asia, 18th-20th November, Seoul, South Korea

(07.09.2023) We are pleased to announce the conference “Conscientious Objection in Asia”, which will be held on 18th to 20th November in Seoul, South Korea. The event will gather conscientious objectors (COs) and campaigners of conscientious objection (CO) from across Asia to discuss the problems COs are facing today and how to counter these problems. The event is organised by World Without War in cooperation with Connection e.V. and War Resisters’ International.

Day of action of the #ObjectWarCampaign on the International Day of Conscientious Objection to War

Interview with Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V.

(14.06.2023) On this year’s International Day of Conscientious Objection, 30 organizations from Europe have called for protection for all conscientious objectors from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Together with the organizers of the #ObjectWarCampaign, Connection e.V. traveled to Berlin to participate in a central action in front of the European Commission Bureau at the Brandenburg Gate on 15 May 2023. The action was coordinated with events in other cities. During an interview, Rudi Friedrich, executive director of Connection e.V., reports on this year’s day of action and general news about the #ObjectWarCampaign (ed.).