Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Appeal: Free Ruslan Kotsaba!

Ukrainian journalist and conscientious objector in prison

(26.05.2016) Ruslan Kotsaba, a journalist and conscientious objector from Ukraine, was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment by the city court of Ivano-Frankivsk (Western Ukraine) on 12 May 2016. The court found him guilty of „obstructing the legitimate activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces“.

Ukraine: Ruslan Kotsaba affirms refusal to take up arms

Observers report from the day in court in Ivano-Frankivsk

(05.02.2016) The case brought against the Ukrainian journalist and conscientious objector Ruslan Kotsaba continued today in Ivano-Frankivsk. It was the first day on which the hearing was observed by a delegation of antimilitarist organisations from Germany. Mr Kotsaba, aged 49, has been held in detention ever since he was arrested almost a year ago on charges of treason and obstructing the military. If sentenced, he faces 15 years in jail.

Turkmenistan Amnestied Imprisoned Jehovah’s Witnesses

(13.11.2014) In a surprising turn of events, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov amnestied eight of Jehovah’s Witnesses who were imprisoned in Turkmenistan for practicing their faith. They were among other prisoners who were released on October 22, 2014. Six of the Witnesses had been imprisoned for their conscientious objection to military service and two on fabricated charges for religious activity.

EBCO shocked at imprisonment of its Board Member Murat Kanatlı

(25.02.2014) “EBCO is shocked at the provocative and outrageous imprisonment of its Board Member Murat Kanatlı, a Cypriot conscientious objector and human rights activist, and demands its immediate and unconditional release. We also call for the full recognition of the right to conscientious objection for conscripts, reservists and professional members of the armed forces, in line with European and international standards”, Friedhelm Schneider, EBCO’s President stated today, after Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatlı was sentenced to 10 days in prison for his refusal on grounds of conscience to participate in the annual compulsory military exercises in the northern part of Cyprus.