Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Turkey: Conscientious objector appeared in court on charges of turning the people against military service

(22.11.2011) Conscientious objector (CO) Süleyman Tatar appeared in court on Monday on charges of “turning the people against military service,” a crime under Article 318 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Tatar, a member of the Conscientious Objection for Peace platform, is accused of making society hostile toward military service with his remarks in an anti-war press statement he made during a protest at Boğaziçi University.

Egypt: Case against imprisoned blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad adjourned again after more than 80 days of hunger strike

(16.11.2011) In the case of imprisoned pacifist blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, the military court on 13 November again adjourned the trial, this time until 27 November, to wait for the report of the internet service provider. At the hearing on 13 November, none of the witnesses called on 1 November showed up. Meanwhile, Maikel Nabil Sanad passed the 80th day of his hunger strike, surviving on fruit and dairy juices.

China to update military conscription system

(27.10.2011) China’s Ministry of Defense held a monthly press conference on Oct. 26. At the conference, the spokesman Yang Yujun answered a question about reviewing the amendment to China’s military conscription law. The amendment seems to refer to an amendment presented at the end of June, which is aimed at recruiting more college graduates to the military.

Egypt: Imprisoned blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad to be sent to psychiatric hospital

Trial postponed to 1 November

(20.10.2011) War Resisters’ International learned today that a military court ordered on 18 October to send imprisoned pacifist blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad to a psychiatric hospital for examination. According to the information received, the blogger is presently still being held in El Marg prison, and is on hunger strike since 23 August.