Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

USA: Travis Bishop wins three month reduction in sentence

(10.02.2010) FORT HOOD, Texas – Sergeant Travis Bishop received word this week that he was given a 3 month suspension of the 12 month sentence he got last year for refusing to deploy to Afghanistan based on his Christian religious beliefs against war. Sgt. Bishop has been imprisoned at the Fort Lewis, Washington stockade since August 16, 2009. Lt. General Robert Cone, commanding general of Fort Hood approved the sentence reduction on February 4th after considering Sgt. Bishop’s clemency application.

Britain: War resister Joe Glenton arrested for speaking out in public

(11.11.2009) War Resisters’ International learned today that Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who already faces charges of desertion for refusing to return to Afghanistan, has been arrested and charged with five counts of "disobeying a lawful order" for speaking at an anti-war demonstration in London on 24 October 2009, and for expressing his opposition to the war in Afghanistan to the media. War Resisters’ International calls for letters of support to Joe Glenton and for letters of protest to the British authorities.

"I implore you, Sir, to bring our soldiers home"

Letter of Joe Glenton to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Dear Mr Brown, I am writing to you as a serving soldier in the British Army to express my views and concerns on the current conflict in Afghanistan. It is my primary concern that the courage and tenacity of my fellow soldiers has become a tool of American foreign policy. I believe this unethical short-changing of such proud men and women has caused immeasurable suffering not only to families of British service personnel who have been killed and injured, but also to the noble people of Afghanistan.