Conscientious Objectors Share Their Stories

Part II: Kemal Soylu

(11.06.2024) Hello,

this is Merve Arkun from the Conscientious Objection Watch, Turkey. We are happy to share with you the second video of the series of interviews we started to share the stories of conscientious objectors from Turkey, the first video of which we published on the International Day of Conscientious Objection.

In the second interview of the interview series, we share the experiences of conscientious objector Kemal Soylu.

Kemal Soylu, who declared his conscientious objection in 2020, faces many restrictions and violations, from violation of the right to work to restriction of freedom of travel, because he refuses compulsory military service. Conscientious objector Soylu has an individual application to the Constitutional Court for violation of his right to conscientious objection, which has still not received any results.

The interview was recorded in Turkish. It can be accessed in full length and with English subtitles on the youtube channel @vicdaniretizleme.

The deepening human rights crisis in Turkey directly affects conscientious objectors who refuse compulsory military service and the conscientious objection movement. While the Turkish government continues to insist on not recognizing the right to conscientious objection, conscientious objectors continue to be subjected to numerous restrictions and human rights violations and civil death.

We need your support to spread the voices of the conscientious objector in Turkey. We’ll be glad if you can share the testimonies of conscientious objector Kemal Soylu and our call for support within your network.

Merve Arkun
Coordinator, Conscientious Objection Watch

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Part I of the interview series, the testimony of conscientious objector Kenan Kahya can be found here.

Merve Arkun: Conscientious Objectors Share Their Stories, Part II. Sent via Conscientious Objection Watch on June 11, 2024.

Keywords:    ⇒ Conscientious Objection   ⇒ Conscription   ⇒ English Material   ⇒ Objectors Report   ⇒ Peace Movement   ⇒ Project Reports   ⇒ Turkey