Two soldiers sitting with their backs turned, looking towards a river in the background.

Myanmar: Underage Recruits Sent to Military Training, Front Lines

The Myanmar military’s recruitment and use of child soldiers has surged since the 2021 coup, including a significant number recruited after the junta enacted a conscription law in February 2024. On June 19, 2025, the United Nations Secretary-General reported that the UN had verified 2,138 grave violations against children in armed conflict in Myanmar in 2024, including recruitment of children, with about 1,200 additional violations pending verification.

Rudi Friedrich

Remembering Rudi Friedrich: A Lifelong Advocate for Conscientious Objectors

We are deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Rudi Friedrich, director of Connection e.V., a long-standing partner and tireless advocate for conscientious objectors around the world. His passing is a profound loss for the international community of peace activists. We extend our heartfelt condolences to our friends at Connection e.V., and to Rudi’s family and loved ones.

Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union

Record number of protests against Armed Forces Day across the UK

A record number of demonstrations and other actions to challenge Armed Forces Day took place in towns and cities across the UK last weekend. Protest organisers report a three-fold increase compared with 2024, with demonstrations, vigils, stalls and flyering in over fifty locations this year.

Two activists in blue overalls stand on a railway track, holding banners and flags. In the background two more activists lie on the tracks.

Why Dutch activists are targetting the port of Rotterdam

Last week, on the first day of the 2025 Nato summit, Rotterdam harbour’s railways were shut down by action group Geef Tegengas. The group focuses on how logistical hubs act as bottlenecks of the industries fuelling war, genocide, injustice and ecological collapse. In this piece, one of the activists involved reflects on the group’s recent action.