Right to Refuse to Kill

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War Resisters' International's programme The Right to Refuse to Kill combines a wide range of activities to support conscientious objectors individually, as well as organised groups and movements for conscientious objection.

Our main publications are CO-Alerts (advocacy alerts sent out whenever a conscientious objector is prosecuted) and CO-Updates (a bimonthly look at developments in conscientious objection around the world).

We maintain the CO Guide - A Conscientious Objector's Guide to the International Human Rights System, which can help COs to challenge their own governments, and protect themselves from human rights abuses.

Information about how nation states treat conscientious objectors can be found in our World Survey of Conscientious Objection and recruitment.

More info on the programme is available here.

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejected Turkey’s appeal against the conviction as an outcome of Murat Kanatlı’s complaint, a conscientious objector who refused compulsory military service in Northern Cyprus. The ECHR’s ruling, issued on September 24, upheld the violation of rights verdict in Kanatlı’s case against Turkey. Ankara was ordered to pay the conscientious objector 9,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages and 2,363 euros for trial and other expenses.

The number of new criminal cases against conscientious objectors has surged since summer 2024 after the General Prosecutor's Office wrote to local prosecutors. About 300 conscientious objectors now face criminal investigations which could lead – if cases reach court and end in convictions – to a 3 to 5 year jail term.

On December 1st, Prisoners for Peace Day, we stand in solidarity with conscientious objectors and activists imprisoned for their work against war and its preparations. On this day, we share the stories and names of those detained for their work for peace, human rights, and commitment to nonviolence, and invite you to show solidarity by sending letters to them.

A recent report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) has revealed that the Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria is still recruiting children as young as 12. This is happening despite promises from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration to stop the recruitment of children. HRW is urging the SDF and the US, which provides military support to the SDF, to take immediate action to stop the recruitment of children.

In October 2024, both Croatia and Serbia announced the reintroduction of military conscription. Both countries had previously abolished compulsory military service: Serbia in 2011 and Croatia in 2008. Starting in January 2025, Croatia will require young men to serve for a period of two months, while Serbia plans for conscription to last 75 days.

On 28th August 2024, the Colombian government issued a decree establishing an alternative to military service, referred to as Social Service for Peace. This alternative service is part of the current government's broader policy aimed at achieving what is known as “total peace,” following the 2016 peace agreements. Check here some of the general provisions and the issues pointed out as problematic by the Observatory of Militarism in Colombia.

On 10th July, the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), Connection e.V and War Resisters' International held a webinar to present the OHCHR report on the right to Conscientious Objection (A/HRC/56/30). Daniel Møgster of the OHCHR introduced the report. The report's presentation was recorded and it's available to watch on WRI's YouTube Channel.

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