Conscientious objectors and peace activists met in the UN buffer zone, Cyprus

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) held its 2017 General Assembly on 4th November in the UN buffer zone in Cyprus. The Assembly followed a press conference and a public forum held with the participation of conscientious objectors and peace activists from across Europe, as well as from the Republic of Cyprus and the northern part of the island.   

At the press conference, Derek Brett, editor of EBCO’s Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe 2017, presented the key findings of the report, to be published on December 10th, International Human Rights Day. In his presentation, Brett noted that the worsening situation in some countries, such as Ukraine and Lithuania, where compulsory military service has been reintroduced, and said “Efforts to recognise the rights of conscientious objectors have taken a negative track across Europe”.

Read more here.