Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Refusing to Kill: Statements of Conscientious Objectors

(15.05.2025) On the occasion of International Conscientious Objection Day, we are sharing the voices of conscientious objectors from around the world — individuals who have taken a stand against war and militarism by refusing to serve in the armed forces. These statements, collected from diverse countries and contexts, reflect the conviction and resilience of those who choose peace over violence. In a time of ongoing conflict and growing militarisation, their words remind us of the power of conscience and the importance of protecting the right to refuse to kill.

May 15th 2025: International Conscientious Objection Day

Social Media initiative started

(14.05.2025) Several organizations worldwide stand in solidarity with those who refuse to kill and engage in wars and are for this reason persecuted, criminalized and jailed. The undersigned organizations -active also at the European level- address a specific appeal to the European institutions and Member States to protect and fully implement the right to conscientious objection to military service: "We call on Europe to fully implement this human right and to protect those who object to military service in their own countries and that, because of persecutions, seek protection in European countries."

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Week of Action for the International Day of Conscientious Objection, 15 May 2025

All events

Around the International Day of Conscientious Objection, 15 May, there will be events and actions in several countries: Istanbul, London, Seoul, Bogotá, Medellín, Carlisle, Liverpool, Wokingham, Oxford, Staffordshire, Leicester, Washington, Edinburgh, Göttingen, Celle, Aalen, Mainz, Oldenburg, Greifswald, Schwerin, Nottuln, Erlangen, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Marburg, Mainz, Bonn, Bielefeld, Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Berlin. With these events, we are calling for protection for all those who refuse to go to war. Conscientious objection is a human right, especially during war. Persecuted conscientious objectors and deserters need asylum!

Don’t count on us! A call to refuse war and militarisation

Call by Red Antimilitarista de América Latina y el Caribe

(08.04.2025) The Latin American and Caribbean Antimilitarist Network (RAMALC) has shared this call for International Conscientious Objection Day. It’s an invitation to stand against militarisation and war, refusing to be part of systems built on violence and exploitation. Don’t count on us advocates for conscientious objection, antimilitarism, and solidarity all around the world. You can download the campaign poster in different languages here and read the call-out/statement below.