This updated paper lays out the ways in which conscientious objection has been recognized and is protected under human rights treaties and mechanisms, taking into account developments in international standards that have occurred since the 2021 edition. These strengthened standards can be used by front line organizations as a tool to limit suffering, improve lives and challenge root causes of injustice.
Building on our many decades of work to ensure recognition and implementation of the right to conscientious objection to military service we welcomed the recent Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) workshop on this subject. This brought together stakeholders dedicated to ensuring protection of the right to conscientious objection including UN staff, civil society organizations, former judgers, and conscientious objectors (COs) themselves. This workshop was a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to safeguard the rights of individuals who refuse military service based on their conscience. It resulted from a Human Rights Council resolution that QUNO worked closely on. A report drawing on this workshop and other inputs will be presented at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2024. The collective efforts of QUNO and our partners played a leading role in shaping these developments and we continue to prioritize a multistakeholder, collaborative approach when it comes to pushing for the right to CO to be respected, protected and fulfilled. The OHCHR workshop served as a useful platform for discussing conscientious objection and its associated challenges. This discussion further enabled our efforts to identify and dismantle the barriers that hinder COs exercising […]
This year, 2023, marks 75 years since the Quakers United Nations Office (QUNO) was founded in 1948. QUNO represents Quakers at the United Nations (UN) and related multilateral institutions, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Operating from offices in New York and Geneva, QUNO works to uphold the original ideal of the UN to strive for sustainable peace and justice. QUNO’s consistent commitment to speaking with integrity, lifting up the voices of those on the margins and bringing to light diverse perspectives, insights, and concerns, has led Quakers to be recognised as trusted partners who create space for new and creative solutions in response to global challenges. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948. A milestone document in the history of human rights, the Declaration is a joint articulation of the value of every member of our human family – a core belief for Quakers. QUNO is proud and privileged to carry forward the Quaker traditions of patient, quiet diplomacy at the UN, working for a more peaceful, just and equal world, as embodied in the Declaration. The strength […]
The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), Connection e.V., International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), and War Resisters’ International (WRI) are pleased to present a new webinar series on conscientious objection to military service in war time. The series will include an overview on conscientious objection to military service in war time and webinars each focusing on a particular conflict with the participation of conscientious objectors and campaigners on conscientious objection to military service. This series aims to: Share skills and lessons learnt between conscientious objection groups and advocates. To build a stronger sense of connection and solidarity between conscientious objection groups and advocates. To learn from conscientious objection groups and advocates how those of us working globally can best support their work. The first webinar in this series will take place on Thursday 9th February 2023 at 16:00 CET providing an overview on the relevant international standards and specific examples from different conflict settings with speakers from War Resisters International, Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights, Colombian Collective Action of Conscientious Objectors, Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, and Connection e.V. Interpretation will be provided in English, French, and Spanish. Please Register your attendance using the below link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtdu2qrDwsH9NaaFEZfdXiaks5EXXPScFk We look forward to […]
QUNO, War Resisters International and International Fellowship of Reconciliation’s webinar series on campaigning for conscientious objection to military service aims to: Share skills and lessons learnt between conscientious objection groups and advocates. Build a stronger sense of connection and solidarity between conscientious objection groups and advocates. Learn from conscientious objection groups and advocates how we can work together and ensure our work is informed by conscientious objectors’ experiences and expertise around the world. Recordings from the series are available online covering presentations and case studies on: Strategic litigation The UN Human Rights System Raising Public Awareness International Solidarity Conscientious Objection and Exile Webinar series presentations in English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YtEuTkB1k&list=PL-xiNgYPKbcowsabA6hEz2VovGlB6TfI8 Webinar series presentations in Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baAPiDTiErE&list=PL-xiNgYPKbcqGgPrMr2Umc89KzlkvOadb