Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Call to Prime Minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb

End Finnish Conscription and Imprisonment of Conscientious Objectors

(13.01.2015) Finland is one of the last remaining countries in Europe that still has conscription. Finnish society and national culture are very militaristic and conscription is upheld primarily because of militaristic values and traditions. Even the armed forces admit they don't need all the conscripts and the size of reserve forces was cut by about 1/3, from 350 000 to 230.000 active reserve troops.

Finland: Total objector Jesse Kamila sentenced to 180 days of home detention

(15.02.2013) Jesse Kamila, a 24 year-old conscientious objector from Joensuu, Finland was sentenced to 180 days of home detention on Tuesday 12 February by Itä-Uudenmaan käräjäoikeus (Eastren Uusimaa district court). He had refused to do military service on 21 May 2012. He was charged with "refusal from civilian service" (siviilipalveluksesta kieltäytyminen).

Finland: Total objector Joonas Norrena sentenced to 179 days of ’home detention’

Call to send protest letters

(29.11.2012) Joonas Norrena, a 20 year-old conscientious objector from Imatra, Finland, has been sentenced to 179 days of home detention for "refusal of conscription" on 26 November 2012 by Kymenlaakso District Court. He had refused to do military service in July 2012 in Vekaranjärvi garrison in Southeastern Finland.

Finland: Total objector Topi Louko sentenced to 126 days in prison

(15.10.2012) Topi Louko, a 28-year old total objector from Lempäälä, was sentenced to prison for 126 days for "refusal of civilian service" (siviilipalveluksesta kieltäytyminen) on 9 October 2012. The trial was held in Eastern Uusimaa district court (Itä-Uudenmaan käräjäoikeus) in Porvoo. Louko had refused to continue his civilian service in September 2011.