As we reported in the previous CO Update, conscientious objectors in Greece have been subject to new cycles of detention and trial since the beginning of the year. Last time, we reported on the situations of Nikos Karanikas, Charalabos Akrivopoulos, Menelaos Exioglou and Dimitris Sotiropulos.
Last month, a panel debate was held in London on the title Conscientious Objectors to Form Association in Turkey.
We're happy to announce the launch of 'A Conscientious Objector's Guide to the International Human Rights System'. As well as reading it as a book, you can also use the interactive guide online.
Around the world children, adolescents, and young adults encounter the military and military values in a variety of ways, from visits to schools by military personnels, to video games and the presence of the military and its symbols in public places. Young people are encouraged to see the military as necessary and valuable; something to be supportive of, not to question.
Join members of the WRI network and the New Tactics community for an online conversation on tactics for combating the militarisation of education, public spaces, vulnerable communities, entertainment and culture. www.newtactics.org/conversation/tactics-combating-militarisation
Empowering conscientious objectors to take advantage of human rights mechanisms
Carlos Pérez Barranco
In December 2001, the last recruits abandoned military barracks across Spain after having completed the final nine months of obligatory military service. In many European states, the end of forced recruitment had been motivated almost exclusively by the military forces' evolution towards global intervention operations, whilst in Spain the system of forced recruitment had collapsed despite years of government efforts.
In Europe, conscription has mostly disappeared and made place for professional armies with high-tech weaponry. This was caused by a transformation of military strategies and a change in the political objectives of defense policy after the end of the Cold War.
Since the beginning of the year, a crackdown on conscientious objectors (and maybe draft evaders in general) has taken place in Greece. The arrest of 44 year old Nikolaos Karanikas in February, followed by that of 37 year old Haralampos Akrivopoulos in March, and of 30 year old Menelaos Exioglou in April, were the first after many years of relative calm. In this period, COs who were total objectors or refused to accept a punitive alternative service were still prosecuted and sentenced (some times in absentia) - to suspended prison sentences, in military courts - but without arrests.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riLHRtZ4Biw width:400 height:300]
IFOR representiative Derek Brett gives an introduction to the status of conscientious objection in human rights law.
With thanks to Paul at Fourman Films for this: http://www.youtube.com/user/fourmanfilms