press release

Uluslararası eylem günü: Salı 9 Aralık 2014

Avrupa Vicdani Ret Bürosu (EBCO) Kıbrıslı Türk yetkililerin vicdani retçileri yargılayıp hapsetmek gibi kabul almaz ve çağ dışı uygulamalarını kınamaktadır. EBCO 31 yaşındaki vicdani retçi Haluk Selam Tufanlı’nın hemen salıverilmesini ve vicdani ret hakkının Avrupa ve uluslararası standartlar doğrultusunda askere alınmış kişilere, yedek kuvvetlere ve silahlı kuvvetlerin tüm profesyonel üyelerine tamamıyla tanınmasını talep etmektedir.

International day of action: Tuesday 9 December 2014

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) condemns the unacceptable and anachronistic practice of the Turkish-Cypriot authorities to prosecute and imprison conscientious objectors to military service.

Διεθνής ημέρα δράσης: Τρίτη 9 Δεκεμβρίου 2014

Το Ευρωπαϊκό Γραφείο για την Αντίρρηση Συνείδησης (EBCO) καταδικάζει την απαράδεκτη και αναχρονιστική πρακτική των Τουρκοκυπριακών αρχών να διώκουν και να φυλακίζουν αντιρρησίες συνείδησης στη στρατιωτική θητεία.

Today, 4 December 2014, Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Haluk Selam Tufanlı was sentenced to 10 days in prison for objecting to participate in the annual compulsory military exercises in the northern part of Cyprus on the basis of his ideological conscientious objection.

Βρυξέλλες, 22 Οκτωβρίου 2014

Το Ευρωπαϊκό Γραφείο για την Αντίρρηση Συνείδησης (EBCO) καταδικάζει για άλλη μια φορά την απαράδεκτη πρακτική των ελληνικών αρχών να στοχοποιούν και να διώκουν αντιρρησίες συνείδησης. Το EBCO ζητά την αναίρεση της καταδίκης του αντιρρησία συνείδησης Γιάννη Γκλαρνέτατζη και την απόσυρση των κατηγοριών εναντίον όλων των αντιρρησιών συνείδησης στην Ελλάδα, χώρα στην οποία ο θεσμός της εναλλακτικής υπηρεσίας παραμένει τιμωρητικός και αποτελεί διάκριση εις βάρος των αντιρρησιών συνείδησης.

Brussels, 22 October 2014

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) condemns once again the unacceptable practice of the Greek authorities to target and prosecute conscientious objectors. EBCO demands the repeal of the conviction of conscientious objector Yiannis Glarnetatzis and the dismissal of the charges against all conscientious objectors in Greece, a country where the institution of alternative service remains punitive and constitutes discrimination against conscientious objectors.

Athens, 1 October 2014

The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

Brussels, 6 August 2014 “On the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, EBCO honours the conscientious objectors who refused to fight then, expresses its solidarity to the conscientious objectors who refuse to fight today, and calls to respect all over the world the peaceable commitment of people for the end of wars, armed conflicts and violence”, Friedhelm Schneider, EBCO’s President stated today. During the World War I, 1914-1918 it is estimated that more than nine million troops were killed, and, as many as 10 million civilians.

Brussels, 17 July 2014

Brussels, 2 July 2014
“EBCO expresses its deep disappointment at the Greek European Union Presidency as far as it concerns the grave violations of the human rights of conscientious objectors in Greece.

Brussels, 3 March 2014

“EBCO is offended at the provocative and outrageous harassment of its activists in Athens and their detention in the General Police Directorate of Attica, after their symbolic peaceful protest against the imprisonment of Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli.

Brussels, 25 February 2014

“EBCO is shocked at the provocative and outrageous imprisonment of its Board Member Murat Kanatli, a Cypriot conscientious objector and human rights activist, and demands its immediate and unconditional release. We also call for the full recognition of the right to conscientious objection for conscripts, reservists and professional members of the armed forces, in line with European and international standards”,

Brussels, 13 November 2013

EBCO urges Greece to immediately drop all the charges against Greek conscientious objector Nikos Κrontiras and urgently comply with its human rights obligations. This case is another example of the violation of fundamental human rights in Greece and the increasing persecution of Greek conscientious objectors by the military authorities.

Brussels, 11 October 2013

“EBCO urges the full recognition of the right to conscientious objection for conscripts, reservists and professional members of the armed forces, in line with European and international standards”, Friedhelm Schneider, EBCO’s President stated today, following yesterday’s ruling of the Constitutional Court in the northern part of Cyprus on the case of conscientious objector and EBCO Board member Murat Kanatli.