International Conscientious Objection Day

Andreas Speck

In many cities all over the world anti-militarists and CO groups will be active on 15 May, marking International Conscientious Objectors' Day. WRI received some information on activities in different countries - a small hint on what will be happening.

BELGIUM

International action to mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day, organised by War Resisters' International

To: Minister of Defence Ben Eliezer
Ministry of Defence

An officer for whom you are responsible has sentenced me today to 28 days in military prison for my refusal to serve in reserve duty. I did not refuse only to serve in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as I have for the past 15 years, I refused to serve in the Israeli army in any capacity.

For the past several years, War Resisters' International has chosen a focus country or area of concern for its campaigns around 15 May, International Conscientious Objectors' Day.

by Andreas Speck

Tavistock Square, London

By Roberta Bacic

Today, Tuesday May 15th, we gather in Tavistock Square around this commemorative stone which was unveiled here, in 1994, to remember Conscientious Objectors from all over the world and in every age.

This day, the 15th of May, is considered International Conscientious Objectors' Day since 1982. It was first observed by European conscientious objectors to compulsory military service as a focus both: on campaigning for the right of objection to be established where it was lacking, and of support for objectors everywhere.

Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany - founded in November 1998, active since January 1999

The "Antimilitaristic Angolan Initiative for Human Rights" is a anti-war action group by Angolans within and outside Angola and is supported by foreign nationals sympathetic to its aims. We invite new members to join forces and become active in the group.

"The Angolan people want a lasting peace, social justice, good governance and the right of citizenship, and mutual respect for the diversity of people and cultures, which form the Angolan Nation project. these are the fundamental principles for the setting of a common ground among the Angolan people. In essence, these principles are the foundation for in-depth revision of the Nation's concept and valorisation of the Angolan citizenry.

As well as the consensual definition of a vision for Angola and its course towards the future.

Coalition to stop the use of child soldiers

Shortly after achieving independence from Portugal in 1975, armed conflict broke out between the Peoples' Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The civil war lasted nearly 20 years, in which the MPLA controlled the majority of the country and the UNITA fought a guerrilla war against the government forces. The war ended with the 1 May 1991 Bicesse peace accords, which led to presidential elections in 1992.

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