International Conscientious Objection Day

Peter Kreysler and Elise Fried

Since its independence in 1975 Angola has been ravaged by a civil war, a war that will continue as long as both warring parties still have enough money to buy ever more weapons. Peter Kreysler and Elise Fried describe how they get this money.

The gentle hills next to Luanda's port reach to the shimmering blue Atlantic Ocean. The fresh sea breeze blows into the capital, which makes breathing possible in the biggest African black market with all its different odours.

Former political prisoner, Rafael Marques, argues that no matter what the revelations about the role of oil and diamonds in the Angolan war, for the majority of Angolans they will be little more than excuses used to justify the carnage. The core issue is the right of the Angolan people to live in peace.

Rafael Marques

Human Rights Watch

Fellow countrymen of the Government Armed Forces - FAA

Fellow countrymen of the UNITA Rebel Forces - FALA

Fellow countrymen of the Cabinda Independentist Forces - FLEC's

I, Holden Roberto,

As an old man (mais velho), pioneer of the national struggle for the liberation of Angola, call upon you, as patriots, to depose your weapons to end the self-destruction that the protracted useless and senseless war is causing to Angola, since 1975.

Hein Möllers

Emanuel Matondo

On this year's 15th of May, the International Conscientious Objectors Day, I would like to recall all the pacifists, antimilitarist activists and human rights defenders the impunity in which the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other acts of cruelty are still living today in Angola.

May 15th has been proclaimed the international conscientious objectors` day on the ICOM (International Conscientious Objectors Meeting) in the year 1983. Yet, it was only this year that the antimilitarist network, consisting of NGO from many towns in Serbia and Montenegro, organized, let us say, a notification of this day. The action of notifying this date took part in 17 towns simultaneously. Although in most of the towns the basic action consisted of delivering leaflets and sticking posters, even such modest actions were not allowed in some places by the police.

15 May -- International Conscientious Objection Day:
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