Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Onkruit never dies - Onkruit vergaat niet

Video about the anti-militarist actions in the 1970s and 1980s in the Netherlands

(14.08.2023) In the 1970s and 1980s, the anti-militarist action group Onkruit (with a t) was very active with direct actions against army, conscription and the arms industry. The name ‘Onkruit’ refers to No Gunpowder (Kruit in Dutch). Under the name ‘Onkruit does not perish’, the activists of that time have resumed their struggle. They made a movie.

The film was made by independent filmmakers Huib Schoonhoven and Karen Kuiper, with the cooperation of freelance journalists Jacqueline Maris and Marnix Koolhaas. (37:10 Dutch with English subtitles)

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.).

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."

Gunter Schmidt, painter, Germany: I always wished, war was finally dead

Video on YouTube channel Refuse to Kill

(15.05.2020) I have never personally experienced war. I am grateful for this fact under the star of grace and luck and a high degree of liberal political culture in Germany and Europe I have never experienced war, but it lives through me, it definitely outrages me, even where I encounter it indirectly. I am Gunter Schmidt. I am also a painter. Pictures tell me something. Sometimes I take up pictures, transform them artistically and give them my language.