Webinar series: Conscientious objection in times of war

You’re invited to a new webinar series “The right to conscientious objection to military service in times of war”.

Connection e.V., International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) and War Resisters’ International (WRI) are starting a webinar series focusing on conscientious objection to military service in times of war this February. 

The series will include a number of webinars each focusing on a particular conflict zone with the participation of conscientious objectors and campaigners on conscientious objection to military service.

Even if the war in Ukraine is in the foreground of the news coverage, war is being waged in many countries today. And in all these wars, there are people who evade recruitment, refuse military service or desert. Because of the threat of repression in their own countries, they seek protection abroad, which is unfortunately all too often denied them.

With this webinar series, we will hear from refusers and campaigners on conscientious objection from Colombia, Eritrea, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and elsewhere, and discuss the ways in which we can support them.

WEBINAR # 1

This first, introductory, webinar will take place on 9th February at 4pm CET.

Register here to get the link to participate.

Speakers

Our first webinar will give a general introduction to our series including short presentations on what international law says about conscientious objection in times of war, as well as the asylum rights of conscientious objectors from countries waging war. 

In addition, we will hear from campaigners from Colombia, Eritrea and Ukraine about their ongoing campaigns to support conscientious objectors. 

The speakers will include:

• Rachel Brett (War Resisters’ International)
• Helen Kidan (Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights)
• Maricely Parada (Colombian Collective Action of Conscientious Objectors)
• Yurii Sheliazhenko (Ukrainian Pacifist Movement) 
• Rudi Friedrich (Connection e.V.)

Date and Time

9th February, Thursday, 4pm CET, 10am Colombia

Registration

This event is free however registration is required. 

Please use the link here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtdu2qrDwsH9NaaFEZfdXiaks5EXXPScFk

We are looking forward to meeting you on February 9th!