Webinar: Conscientious objection and asylum, 28th May, 12:30pm UTC

On this International Conscientious Objection Day (CO Day), we drew particular attention to those who have had to leave their country of origin due to forced recruitment, and who are looking for protection in other countries. Following the CO Day, War Resisters’ International is organising a webinar on the same subject with contributions by campaigners and conscientious objectors.

Today in many countries men and women have been denied the human right of conscientious objection, but to flee from war and forced recruitment is generally not seen as a reason for asylum. Women and men who refuse compulsory recruitment to the military need protection! Together with campaigners from Quaker United Nations Office, Connection e.V., and conscientious objectors going through asylum process, we will discuss the challenges faced and chances to improve conditions for conscientious objectors seeking asylum.

The event is free and no prior registration is required. Just join us by the link below! The language of the webinar will be English with simultaneous translation to Spanish.

Date/Time: 28 May, Thursday, 12:30pm UTC

Link to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83864031252 - Zoom Meeting ID: 838 6403 1252

Please contact us via info@wri-irg.org (with subject line 'CO Webinar') if you have any questions about joining the webinar or experience problems.

Speakers

• Laurel Townhead, Representative for Human Rights and Refugees of Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO - Geneva, Switzerland)

Laurel Townhead leads QUNO’s work on human rights of migrants, focusing on how the UN system can better promote and protect the rights of migrants regardless of status. Conscientious objection to military service is one of the particular focuses in Laurel’s work.

In this webinar, she will speak about the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Guidance on asylum for conscientious objectors.

• Rudi Friedrich, General Secretary of Connection e.V. (Germany)

Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V., has been counselling and supporting conscientious objectors and deserters seeking asylum in Germany for about 30 years. In this webinar he will report about his experiences, chances and restrictions faced.

• Beran İşçi, Conscientious objector (Turkey/Germany)

Beran İşçi is a conscientious objector from Turkey who is now seeking asylum in Germany. In this webinar, Beran is going to tell us about his ongoing case and share his experiences as a conscientious objector seeking asylum. Watch a video message by him for the International Conscientious Objection Day here.