Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Conscientious objection: Punishment and discriminatory treatment

(15.05.2014) Not all States recognise the right to conscientious objection; and even where it is recognised in principle, the provisions or the way they are applied may exclude some conscientious objectors. They may face a wide range of serious implications for their refusal to perform military service. Besides prosecution and imprisonment there are many other kinds of discriminatory treatments. Emily Graham of Quaker United Nations office gives an overwiev.

Conscientious objection to military service

Resolution of UN Human Rights Council

(27.09.2013) ... Recognizing that conscientious objection to military service derives from principles and reasons of conscience, including profound convictions, arising from religious, ethical, humanitarian or similar motives, ...

Turkey: The Current Situation Regarding Conscientious Objectors

Statement to the UN Human Rights Committee

(15.10.2012) Conscientious objection (CO) hasn't been accepted as a human right in Turkey. Conscientious objection is neither regulated as a right nor as an offence. This amounts to a legal ambiguity and conscientious objectors (COs) are charged with offences regulated in the Military Criminal Code, which do not correspond with their actions. Furthermore a vicious circle of being arrested, being sent to prison and released is still in force, with CO Inan SUVER as the latest example.

ECHR to Turkey: Judgment to Conscientious Objector Mehmet Tarhan

(17.07.2012) The applicant, Mehmet Tarhan, is a Turkish national who was born in 1977 and lives in Sivas (Turkey). The case concerns his refusal to do military service because of his pacifist beliefs. Having refused to wear a uniform, he was held in custody in the military prison, where he was subjected to disciplinary penalties for refusing to have his hair and beard cut, which was ultimately carried out forcefully by seven soldiers. Criminal proceedings were brought against him. Since his desertion in March 2006, the police have been looking for him; he faces fresh criminal proceedings and custody.

European Court for Human Rights found violation of Article 3 and violation of Article 9.