EBCO expresses deep concern on Russia on May 15th, International Day on Conscientious Objection

Brussels, 15 May 2012

On the occasion of the International Day on Conscientious Objection on May 15th, the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) expresses its deep concern over the criminal prosecution of Nikita Konev, a Russian pacifist charged with draft dodging.

Nikita Konev from Kirovsk, Murmansk region, grew up in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 2011, he applied for substitution of the military conscript service by alternative civilian service to the Kirovsk military commissariat, which should have transmitted the application to the call up commission.

EBCO's symbolic solidarity action with Bradley Manning

BrManEBCO activists in Brussels are calling for Bradley to be free and join them for coffee. They have reserved a place for him at their table in a beautiful garden. They have already served coffee to him. He will not be late, he will be free soon!

EGYPT: Emad El Dafrawi declares his refusal to the Military Service

emad“War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.” -- John F. Kennedy

My name is Emad El Dafrawi- 24 years old. I went to Cairo’s military conscription office in 2008 where I received a 3-year postponement for my military service. I was supposed to return to the conscription office on January 14th, 2012, but I decided not to go.

EBCO's symbolic solidarity action with Bradley Manning, to coincide with the April 24-26 hearing: Coffee with Bradley Manning in Athens

bradley_manningEBCO activists in Athens are calling for Bradley to be free and join them for coffee and cookies. They have reserved a place for him at their table with panoramic view over Acropolis. They have already served coffee and cookies to him.

PRESS RELEASE 17 April 2012: Global Day of Action on Military Spending

Brussels, 17 April 2012

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) participated today in the second Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) to protest against military spending with two joint actions, in Brussels, Belgium and in Athens, Greece. EBCO condemns the excessive level of military spending and calls for a reallocation of resources to fulfil basic human needs.

Global day of action on military spending, April 17th 2012

EBCO participates in the Global Day of Action on Military Spending 2.0 organising a joint action with other organisations and groups in Syntagma square, Athens, Greece - a country which keeps spending so much on military, while its people are suffering so much from the harsh austerity measures.

EBCO deeply concerned over forced labour in the Russian army

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) expresses its deep concern over forced labour in the Russian army and urges the Russian authorities to take immediate action to stop this inhuman practice and bring those responsible to justice, following the independent analytical NGOs report ‘The Redundant Soldier.

OPEN LETTER for the release of Turkish conscientious objector and human rights activist Halil Savda

To:    President of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Abdullah Gül
Fax: +90 312 470 1316
E-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Cc:    Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Fax: +90 312 422 1899
E-mail: receptayyip.erdogan@basbakanlik.gov.tr
Brussels, 13 March 2012

The right to conscientious objection to military service should be guaranteed in all parts of Europe

People should not be imprisoned when their religious or other convictions prevent them from doing military service. Instead they should be offered a genuinely civilian alternative.

OPEN LETTER for the release of Turkish Cypriot activist Halil Karapasaoglu

To:   President of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Abdullah Gül
Fax: +90-312-427.13.30
E-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Cc:   Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Fax: +90-312-417.04.76
E-mail: receptayyip.erdogan@basbakanlik.gov.tr

EBCO's campaign to end military courts judging civilians

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection denounces the continuing trials of civilians and conscientious objectors before military courts. Recent cases in Egypt, Greece and Turkey have demonstrated that military courts do not respect the rule of law nor international conventions on human rights. EBCO invites human rights organisations to join an international campaign to stop military courts judging civilians.

No more military courts for conscientious objectors

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection welcomes the recent landmark decision on the case of the Turkish-Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli. On December 8 the Military Court in Lefkosa (“northern” Nicosia, Cyprus) accepted the demand of Murat Kanatli to refer his case to the Constitutional Court on the basis of the freedom of thought and expression.

Turkey, Cyprus and Greece must drop the charges against conscientious objectors Halil Savda, Murat Kanatli and Gerasimos Koroneos respectively

Brussels, 7 December 2011

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2011, the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection calls for solidarity with Turkish conscientious objector Halil Savda, Turkish-Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli and Greek conscientious objector Gerasimos Koroneos and demands the immediate and unconditional end of their persecution.

EBCO visits Cyprus for the court hearing of C.O. Murat Kanatli

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection calls for the immediate and unconditional end of the persecution of Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli, whose court hearing will take place tomorrow at the military court in Nicosia (northern part), Cyprus. Claude Verrel, French Board Member of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, will be present at the military court to defend Murat Kanatli, call for the end of his persecution and express the international solidarity with him.

About EBCO

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) was founded in 1979 as an umbrella organisation for national associations of conscientious objectors, with the aim of promoting collective campaigns for the release of the imprisoned conscientious objectors and lobbying the European governments and institutions for the full recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service.

EBCO promotes:

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