Today is International Conscientious Objectors’ Day
Today is International Conscientious Objectors’ Day
Today is International Conscientious Objectors’ Day. This day is closely linked to the International Conscientious Objectors’ Meeting (ICOM). In 1985, ICOM decided to use May 15 as a focal point for action on conscientious objection. A conscientious objector is an individual who, on religious or ethical grounds, refuses to participate as a combatant in war or to take any role that would support a combatant organization or armed force.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are the only two countries refusing to recognize conscientious objection and sustain their membership in the Council of Europe. Many of the conscientious objectors are Kurdish. In 2006 (ECHR) found Turkey had violated article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of degrading treatment) in a case dealing the conscientious objection of Osman Murat Ulke. In 2005 was sentenced to four years in a military prison as a conscientious objector (he was unexpectedly released in March 2006). Journalist Perihan Magden was tried for an article she wrote in which she argued that conscientious objection is a human right. She was later acquitted.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are the only two countries refusing to recognize conscientious objection and sustain their membership in the Council of Europe. Many of the conscientious objectors are Kurdish. In 2006 (ECHR) found Turkey had violated article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of degrading treatment) in a case dealing the conscientious objection of Osman Murat Ulke. In 2005 was sentenced to four years in a military prison as a conscientious objector (he was unexpectedly released in March 2006). Journalist Perihan Magden was tried for an article she wrote in which she argued that conscientious objection is a human right. She was later acquitted.
