Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Turkey: CO Onur Erden denied asylum in Cyprus

Detained in a military prison on his return to Turkey

(19.07.2013) After his demand for political asylum was rejected by the Republic of Cyprus, Turkish conscientious objector Onur Erden was deported back to Istanbul via Jordan on Thursday, July 11th. He was arrested after his appearance in the court and transferred to military prison in Kasimpasa Naval Base in Istanbul. On 17 July, he was transferred to the 2nd Army Corps Command Military Prison in Gelibolu, Çanakkale. He remains in custody.

South Korea: Conscientious objector Yoonjong Yoo begins serving 18 month prison sentence

(01.05.2012) War Resisters’ International is concerned about the imprisonment of South Korean conscientious objector Yoonjong Yoo. After he declared his conscientious objection, he was trialed for violation of the country’s military service law, and finally sentenced to the standard 18 months’ imprisonment on 25 April 2012. On 30 April 2012, he reported to the Seoul Detention Centre to serve his sentence.

Egypt: War Resisters’ International welcomes the overdue release in Cairo of pacifist blogger Maikel Nabil

(26.01.2012) Maikel Nabil Sanad after his 302 days of an unjust detention aiming to suppress criticism of the Egyptian military. Detained on 29 March, Maikel was sentenced in April by a military court to three years’ imprisonment for insulting the People’s Assembly, the Shura Council or any State Authority, or the Army or the Courts", and article 102, "spreading false information". This verdict was annulled but a new trial in December, also in front of a military court, sentenced Maikel to two years.

Rally "Free Bradley Manning"

Gallery

(21.01.2012) About 100 people demonstrated in Frankfurt, Germany for the release of Bradley Manning. In the call they made their demands clear: "Pointing out violations of international law may in no circumstances be regarded as crimes. We therefore call for the release of Bradley Manning and all other whistleblowers. Whistleblowers are an important component in any free and democratic society. We demand general statutory provisions for the protection of whistleblowers. In a democracy the government should have no secrets from its citizens. We demand an open and transparent information policy in all states!"