Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Putin and Zelenskyy, Talk to Each Other!

(27.02.2022) KYIV, UKRAINE — We live in hard times which demand courage to promote peace.

(...) It is hard to stay calm and sane now, but with the support of global civil society it is easier. Friends from many countries are showing solidarity and actively promoting peace by peaceful means in and around Ukraine. We are deeply grateful and inspired here.

Stephan Brües, Germany: From this on I was engaged in the peace movement

Video on YouTube channel Refuse to Kill

(15.05.2020) Hello. My name is Stephan Brües. I’m coming from Germany. 37 years ago I objected the military service, but I did not object the social service that conscription obliged me to, because this might have meant to come into a prison. But from this on I was engaged in the peace movement.

Armin Lauven, Pax Christi, Germany: Active for conscientious objectors and deserters worldwide

Video on YouTube channel Refuse to Kill

(15.05.2020) Armin Lauven, Pax Christi, Germany: Active for conscientious objectors and deserters worldwide In 1974, at the age of 18, I was recognized as a conscientious objector.

South Korea: After historic breakthrough, conscientious objectors face new challenges

(26.02.2019) South Korea’s Ministry of Defense proposed a system for alternative service to the military on Dec. 28, following a historic decision by the Constitutional Court in June, which ruled that the existing law does not guarantee freedom of conscience.

The court’s decision —which was a major victory for the movement to recognize conscientious objection in South Korea — has sparked a fierce debate over the issue. There have been tangible achievements, such as the Supreme Court finding a conscientious objector to be innocent for the first time ever on Nov. 1. However, the struggle over how the alternative service system will work is just beginning: