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In its "Say No" statement, issued shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001, War Resisters' International called for conscientious objection to war and preparation for war [1]. One day ago, the second phase of the US-led "war on terrorism" started - the war on Iraq.
The US led "coalition of the willing" is a list of countries, among them many which figure prominently in reports of human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. In a press statement released by the International Press Institute on 19 March, Johann P. Fritz, director of IPI, therefore called the coalition a 'coalition of the sinning', as many of the countries "have done their utmost to suppress and stifle the independent media in their countries". [2] War Resisters' International is especially concerned about the right to conscientious objection within the "coalition of the willing", especially those countries sending troops, but is also very concerned about the right to demonstrate and take nonviolent action against the war on Iraq.
According to media reports, Albania has offered 70 soldiers for noncombatant roles [3]. Albania has conscription, and does not recognise the right to conscientious objection. Conscientious objectors can be imprisoned for up to two years [WRI 1998]. According to Amnesty International reports, torture and ill-treatment are widespread in Albania [4].
There is no known CO group in Albania which could provide support.
Australia participates in the war on Iraq with about 2,000 troops, including elite SAS commandos, along with fighter jets and warships. Australia does not have conscription, but there is also no legal provision for conscientious objection for professional soldiers. Under article 22 of the 1982 Defence Force Discipline Act, desertion is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment [WRI 1998].
Members of the Australian Armed Forces who wish to leave the military should contact WRI's Australian affiliate: War Resisters' League (WRL) PO Box 451, North Hobart TAS 7002; tel +61 3 6278 2380; fax 6234 8209; email pdpjones@mpx.com.au
It is unclear if and how Azerbaijan contributes militarily to the coalition of the willing. Azerbaijan is of major concern to War Resisters' International. The country relies on conscription to fill the ranks of its military, and does not recognise the right to conscientious objection, although it is enshrined in the constitution. According to reports received by War Resisters' International, there are about 2,600 deserters and draft evaders in Azerbaijan's prisons [5].
Potential conscientious objectors should contact the Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan, P.O. Box 31, Baku 370000; tel +994 12 977026; email aihmm@lycos.de; http://www.aihmm.org
According to media reports, Bulgaria will send a 150-member Bulgarian Army company for nuclear, chemical and biological protection. The Bulgarian soldiers will be located in a country neighboring Iraq under an agreement with the United States, which Parliament has approved. "The Bulgarian soldiers will not take part in direct combat on Iraqi territory," Svinarov said. [6] In addition the United States has stationed six refueling planes KC-10A at the Bulgarian airport of Sarafovo.
Bulgaria has conscription. Although Bulgaria recognises the right to conscientious objection, an application has to be made before starting military service [WRI 1998]. This means that the right to CO is not available to serving soldiers - who might be send to the Gulf. Soldiers who go absent without leave (AWOL) can be punished by up to five years' imprisonment, if the absence lasts more than 3 days [WRI 1998].
Potential COs should contact: Youth Society for Peace and Development; 22 Persenk St, 4000 Plovdiv, email yspdb@abv.bg
Czech troops from the antichemical-, antibacteriological- and antinuclear-warfare unit departed for Kuwait to reinforce the U.S. forces stationed there in late January 2003. Altogether around 130 Czech soldiers and 40 vehicles were sent to the Gulf. The Czech parliament has approved military operations against Iraq if the U.N. Security Council passes a resolution calling for force or if Iraq employs weapons of mass destruction. [7] The Czech Republic has conscription, but recognises the right to conscientious objection. However, serving soldiers cannot apply for conscientious objection [WRI 1998].
Denmark's government offered on Tuesday to send military and medical personnel to help an expected U.S.-led war against Iraq and set aside funds for postwar reconstruction. "The government has decided to propose to the parliament that Denmark take active part in a military action against the Iraqi rule," Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after a meeting in the parliament's foreign policy committee.
The Danish corvette Olfert Fischer is in the Mediterranean as part of the U.S.-led "war on terror" and Denmark had earlier sent a submarine to the Gulf in preparation for a decision to support a war against Iraq. "The government has after careful consideration decided to take part in the military action with a submarine and a corvette and a medical team," Rasmussen said.[8] Denmark still relies on conscription. However, it recognises the right to conscientious objection. Serving soldiers too can apply for conscientious objection. [WRI 1998]
Potential COs should contact WRI's Denish affiliate: Aldrig Mere Krig (AMK) Norremarksvej 4, 6880 Tarm; tel +45 9737 3163; email amk@fred.dk; website www.fred.dk/peace/index.htm
Italy's parliament voted on Wednesday to open Italian airspace and military bases to the United States in a war on Iraq, but no Italian forces will participate. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told a raucous parliamentary session that any attack on Iraq was legal and accused France of derailing diplomatic efforts. Often clamouring to make himself heard over heckling opposition members, Berlusconi said Italy must play its part and parliament heeded his call, voting to open airspace and military bases to the United States, though not to launch attacks.
"Italy's active participation in a war against Iraq is excluded now and in the future," he said.[9] Italy still has conscription, although it will be abolished in 2007. Although conscientious objection is recognised, professional soldiers may not apply for CO status [WRI 1998].
Conscientious objectors should contact WRI's Italian affiliates: Associazione SignorNò! via della Guglia 69a, 00185 Roma; tel +39 06 478 0808; fax 679 3968; email signorno@hotmail.com; website www.peacelink.it/users/loc/roma/signorno.htm
Lega degli Obiettori di Coscienza (LOC) Sede Nazionale, via Mario Pichi 1, 20143 Milano; tel +39 02 837 8817; fax 5810 1220; email locosm@tin.it; website www.peacelink.it/users/loc/"
Movimento Nonviolento Casa per la Nonviolenza, via Spagna 8, 37123 Verona; tel +39 045 800 9803; fax 800 9212; email azionenonviolenta@sis.it; website www.nonviolenti.org/
Japan does not have conscription. There is also no legal provision for conscientious objection. However, as Japan does not have any distinct legal legislation, military personnel can resign at any time [WRI 1998].
WRI's contacts in Japan are:
Nipponzan Myohoji 7-8 Shinsen-Cho, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150; tel +81 3 3461 9363; fax 3461 9367
WRI Japan 666 Ukaicho, Inuyama, Aichi pref; tel +81 568 615850
Lithuania has received an official address from the US administration on the country' contribution to the possible military operation in Iraq. In response to that, Lithuania has prolonged the permanent clearance issued during the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan for aircraft of the US and other NATO allies for overflight and landing.
Maintaining its commitments, Lithuania shall enhance protection of the US institutions situated in the Lithuanian territory. Lithuania has also resolved to dispatch one Lithuanian officer to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), where the progress of the Iraq operation would be coordinated from.
The issue of Lithuania' specialised troops (military medics and others) participation in the possible operation in Iraq is also currently being discussed. [10] Lithuania has conscription, and recognises the right to conscientious objection. However, applications cannot be made while serving in the military. Should Lithuania decide to send troops to the Gulf, these troops won't have any legal option for refusing to serve.
Conscientious objectors are advised to contact one of the following organisations first: Lithuanian Peace Forum, Architektu 20-34, 2043 Vilnius, tel +370 2 443053; fax 224694 Centre for Nonviolent Action, PO Box 2642, 2015 Vilnius, tel +370 2 629083; fax 629432
Although Macedonia is not going to be involved in any direct combat action, it hopes to be part of the post-war reconstruction of Iraq. Defence Minister Vlado Buckosvki is expected to discuss his country's role, as well as its preparations for NATO accession, when he meets in Washington this week with US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and others.[11] The right to conscientious objection is enshrined in Macedonia's constitution, and a law was passed in 2001. It is not clear whether conscientious objection is open to serving soldiers.
Conscientious objectors should contact: Mirovna Akcija / Peace Action, email odbij@hotmail.com; tel/fax 389 2 362 477
In a statement, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has expressed his support for the US-led attack against the Iraqi regime. He pointed out that for the past twelve years the international community has tried to force Saddam Hussein to disarm. This approach has proved to be a dead end.
He also emphasized that there was serious discord, both on a national and an international level. The prime minister said the Netherlands will lend political, but not military support to the United States.[12] The Netherlands don't have conscription. The right to conscientious objection is available to professional soldiers. [WRI 1998]
Information is available from WRI's Dutch affiliate: PAIS Vlamingstraat 82, 2611 LA Delft; tel /fax +31 15 2121694; email pais@worldmail.nl; website www.ddh.nl/org/pais/
Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski will send up to 200 Polish troops to take part in a US-led war with Iraq. "We are ready to use a Polish contingent in the international coalition to contribute to making Iraq comply with the UN resolutions," Kwasniewski said after a meeting with Prime Minister Leszek Miller. "It's a difficult decision but necessary," he said.
The decision would allow a contingent of several hundred troops to deploy to the Gulf region from March 19 till September 15, said Kwasniewski. The initial anti-chemical warfare units could be ready to deploy as early as this week. [13] Although Poland recognises the right to conscientious objection, applications cannot be made while serving [WRI 1998]. Thus, the right to conscientious objection won't be able to soldiers sent to the Gulf.
Information on conscientious objection (in Polish) is available at http://www.pomocspoleczna.ngo.pl/strona.asp?id=192.
Potential COs should contact: Jacek Bialas, Amnesty International, ul. Jackowa Dolina 4, 80-252 Gdansk, tel. +48-58 341 57 92, +48-606 18 55 75; e-mail: jacek.b@amnesty.org.pl
Romania contributed 278 non-combat experts in demining, in chemical and biological decontamination and military police. [14] In Romania conscientious objection is only recognised on religious grounds. In addition, applications for conscientious objection cannot be made while serving in the military [WRI 1998].
Information is available from WRI's Romanian affiliate: Sibienii Pacifisti Str. Mitropooliei, 2400 Sibiu; tel /fax +40 692 18178; email sibpac@rdslink.ro; website www.sibpac.ro/
Slovak President Rudolf Schuster delivered a speech immediately after the start of the military attack against Iraq. He said that all nations have moments in their histories when they have had to make difficult decisions. Slovakia has joined the armed operation as a future NATO member. The country has opened its skies to U.S. flights, has permitted U.S. military ground transportation across Slovakia, and has also deployed its chemical unit in Kuwait.
The Czech-Slovak chemical protection unit deployed to Kuwait has not yet performed any tasks concerning weapons of mass destruction. After seven Iraqi bombs fell on Kuwaiti territory earlier on Thursday, the Slovak Defense Minister telephoned the chief of the Slovak unit, who assured him that the soldiers were safe. [15] Slovakia has a conscription system. Although the right to conscientious objection is recognised, application can only be made within 30days of the conscription board's decision on fitness for military service. Application submitted thereafter are not taken into consideration. Professional soldiers cannot apply for conscientious objection [WRI 1998].
Potential conscientious objectors should contact Amnesty International Slovakia, Staromestska 6/D, 81103 Bratislava, fax +421 2 54419660; email amnesty@internet.sk; website www.amnesty.sk
The ROK said it will send noncombatant troops to Iraq, which in size will be similar to those of the 1991 Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan in 2001. Sources said the number will hover around 500.
"The dispatch of troops could be decided upon later, as our noncombatant troops will be mostly military engineers who will assist with war rehabilitation efforts in Iraq," said another Defense Ministry official.[16] South Korea does not recognise the right to conscientious objection. At present, some 1,500 conscientious objectors are imprisoned in South Korea, usually sentenced to prison terms of 18months to 3 years' imprisonment.
Information is available from: Korea Solidarity for Conscientious Objection, Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights, 152-053 402-ho yunyoung-building, 1127-33 guro3-dong gurogu, Seoul, Korea, tel. +82-2-851 9086, fax 851 9087, email duck52@jinbo.net; website www.corights.net
Prime Minister José María Aznar on Tuesday ruled out sending Spanish troops to take part in a U.S.-led attack on Iraq but said he would deploy military personnel and equipment in a support capacity and offer warplanes to defend Turkey.
"Spain will not participate in any attack or offensive missions," Aznar told Parliament, ending weeks of speculation as to whether Spain would back up its fervent political support of the United States by putting troops in harm's way.
"As a result, there will not be any Spanish troops in the theater of operations," said Aznar, whose backing of Washington defies polls showing a vast majority of Spaniards opposed to war in Iraq even with U.N. backing.[17] Spain abolished conscription recently. Professional soldiers don't have the right to conscientious objection [WRI 1998].
Information is available from one of WRI's Spanish affiliates: Asociación de Objectores/as de Conciencia de Euskadi/ Euskadiko Kontzientzi Eragozleen Alkartea (AOC-EKEA) C/Prim No 27-3 dcha A, 48006 Bilbao; tel +34 94 415 4904; fax 415 0826 [S]
Assemblea Antimilitarista de Catalunya c/ De La Cera 1 bis, 08001 Barcelona; tel +34 93 329 0643; fax 329 0858; email mocbcn@pangea.org; website www.pangea.org/org/mocbcn/index.html [S]
En pie de paz Gran de Gracia 126-130, 08012 Barcelona; tel +34 93 217 9527; fax 416 1026 [AP]
Kontzientzi Eragozpen Mugimendua (MOC-Euskal Herria) Iturribide 12-1 D, 48006 Bilbao; tel +34 94 415 3772; fax 479 0383; email betxea@euskalnet.net[S]
Movimiento de Objeción de Conciencia (MOC) c/San Cosme y San Damián 24-2, 28012 Madrid; tel +34 91 475 3782; email moc.lavapies@nodo50.org; website www.nodo50.org/moc-carabanchel/" [S]
Taller de Paz/Peace Factory c/ Gaspar Fernandez 1, Apartado de Correos 728, Jerez de la Frontera; tel /fax +34 956 346652; email smunozn@clientes.unicaja.es
Turkish troops are most likely to be involved in the Kurdish provinces in Northern Iraq. Turkey does not recognise the right to conscientious objection, and COs face repeated imprisonment for refuseing to obey orders [WRI 1998].
Information is available at www.savaskarsitlari.org
On Monday (17 March), Pres. Kuchma requested Verkhovna Rada to consider this week the sending of Ukraine's chemical, bacteriological and radiation decontamination battalion to Kuwait, Kuchma's representative in VR Oleksandr Zadorozhny said.
According to him, the president urged lawmakers to consider the issue in an ad hoc session.
No relevant agreement has been signed with Kuwait yet, ad as soon as it is concluded, the documents will be handed over to VR, Zadorozhny said.[18] The Ukraine has a conscription system. Although the right to conscientious objection is recognised, application by serving conscripts and by professional soldiers are not possible [WRI 1998].
Britain has the second largest number of combat troops in the Gulf. The British Armed Forces don't rely on conscription. Recently, the UK Armed Forces recruited heavily among the Muslim population of Britain. Although the right to conscientious objection is recognised for professional soldiers, most soldiers are not aware of their rights. The rules covering the procedure on conscientious objection are classified documents, not easily available. During the last Gulf war, a soldiers deserted his regiment, because he did not know about his right to conscientious objection. [WRI 1998]
Conscientious objectors should contact: AT EASE, 28 Commercial Street, LONDON E1 6LS; tel Sundays only 5pm-7pm +44 20 7247 5164; email atease@advisory.freeserve.co.uk
In the United States, conscription is not enforced. Professional soldiers who develop a conscientious objection can apply for a discharge. However, during the last Gulf War the right to conscientious objection was suppressed. Of those who refused to serve and announced their conscientious objection, 42 were imprisoned at Camp Lejeune, some of them charged with 'desertion in wartime'. They were released at the end of 1992 [WRI 1998].
Conscientious objectors should contact the GI Rights hotline: The GI Rights Hotline +1 800 394-9544; +1 215 563-4620 Fax +1 510 465-2459 630; Twentieth Street #302 Oakland, CA 94612 girights@objector.org; website www.girights.org
[WRI 1998] Bart Horeman, Marc Stolwijk: Refusing to bear arms. A world survey on conscription and conscientious objection to military service. http://wri-irg.org
[1] http://wri-irg.org/statemnt/sayno.htm
[2] IPI Criticises Countries Included in the "Coalition of the Willing", Vienna, 19 March 2003, http://www.freemedia.at/Protests%202003/pr_coaltion19.03.03.htm
[3] 'Powell says 30 countries in 'coalition of the willing', 03/18/2003, http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/iraq/topstories/031803cciraqpowell.710306e1.html. The list has grown to as many as 50 countries, but in many cases governments were not consulted about either their listing or their willingness to be in the coalition. Notably, Croatia and Slovenia have asked to be taken off the list.
[4] http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/eur/albania
[5] Eldar Zeynalov: Email to WRI, 21 September 2001
[6] Bulgarian army unit is ready to leave for the Gulf, March 19, 2003, http://www.bgnewsnet.com/story.asp?st=929
[7] No "New Europe", 02/01/2003, http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1430_A_769210_1_A,00.html
[8] Denmark offers military support to Iraq campaign, 03/18/2003, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1888714
[9] Italy opens airspace, bases to US, 03/19/2003, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L19053638
[10] Lithuanian MFA Statement, http://www.urm.lt/view.php?cat_id=9&msg_id=1763
[11] Macedonia Ready to Support US-led Campaign in Iraq, 03/18/2003, http://www.balkantimes.com/html2/english/030318-SVETLA-001.htm
[12] Dutch prime minister expresses support for US, 20 March 2003, http://www.rnw.nl/news/news.html
[13] Poland commits troops for Iraq, March 18, 2003, http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6146270%255E25778,00.html
[14] Powell says 30 countries in 'coalition of the willing', 03/18/2003, http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/iraq/topstories/031803cciraqpowell.710306e1.html
[15] Slovakia Reacts to War in Iraq, March, 20, 2003, http://www.slovensko.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=326
[16] Seoul's Military Braces For War In Iraq, 03/19/2003
[17] Spain Rules Out Sending Troops to Iraq, March 18, 2003, http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/iraq/sns-ap-spain-iraq,0,1312278.story?coll=ny-iraq-dotheadlines
[18] Kuchma Urges Rada to Rubberstamp Sending Ukraine's Decontamination Battalion to Kuwait, 03/18/2003, http://news.org.ua/news/?eid=2543
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