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For Which Principles Would You Be Prepared

To Go to Prison?

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International Conscientious Objectors’ Day15 May 2015

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What is a Conscientious Objector?

If you are called for military service but you refuse to go because you believe it is wrong to

take part in war, you are a conscientious objector

Deeply opposed to war and killing.

Not: Prefer not to or Scared or Got something better to do

Wrong to hurt or kill other people

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Why become a Conscientious Objector?

Opposed to Authority

Religion Reasons

Pacifist

Socialist

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Conscription 1916

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Charles TitfordI cannot consent to kill another

human being

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Albert InkpinAs a socialist and an internationalist I am strongly opposed to war, which I regard as arising from the conflict of capitalist interests

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20,000 Men Said No100 died in custody or directly as a result of their

privations

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

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THESE MEN WERE PORTRAYED LIKE THIS

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THESE MEN WERE PORTRAYED LIKE THIS

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THIS MAN WAS PORTRAYED LIKE THIS

Harry Scullard13

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THIS MAN WAS PORTRAYED LIKE THIS

SIDNEY GODLEY

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HAROLD SCULLARD: Field Punishment No.1

Soldier is tied or chained to a tree, fence or cart wheel with arms spread wide like a crucifixion for

several hours a day over several weeks in extreme heat or cold in full view of passersby and within

range of enemy guns

THIS MAN RECEIVED THIS

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SIDNEY GODLEY; The Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military

decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy”.

THIS MAN RECEIVED THIS

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But who is actually being heroic?

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Who is the Hero?Put a tick against Harry and Sidney if they demonstrate any of these

heroic characteristics

CHARACTERISTIC HARRY SCULLARD SIDNEY GODLEY

Self sacrifice

Standing up for others

Difficult and dangerous situation(s)

Dangerous consequences

Using your own mind

Fearless

Physical bravery

Mental bravery

Ignoring your own well being for the cause

Indominatable

Example to others

Sticking to your guns or principles

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Kathleen Lonsdale: United KingdomIt should be noted that although there were no female conscientious objectors in the UK during the First World War (because women were not called up) many women were actively opposed to the war. During the Second World War women like Kathleen Lonsdale, later a Professor at University College, London refused to register for war duties and as a result spent time in prison

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Conscientious Objector are still being arrested

and imprisoned throughout the world

because of their beliefs and refusal to join the

armed forces

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CONSCRIPTION TODAY

Countries are in red where conscription exists20

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Ali Fikre Isik: TurkeyA military court found Ali Fikri Isik guilty on three different counts of deserting the army and disobeying orders, sentencing him to a total of 25 months’ imprisonment converted into a monetary fine of about £4,000 or $5,700 divided into 24 installments. If the fine is not paid, the jail sentence would take effect.

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Idan Halili: IsraelIdan was briefly interviewed by the Head of the Women's Section at the Main Induction Center, spent the night in detention at the centre, and was eventually sentenced to 14 days in military prison. She was been transferred to Military Prison 400 near Tel Aviv and underwent an indefinite number of re-incarcerations following her release as is the practice with other conscientious objectors.23

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Jeon Seong-Jin South Korea

"Right now, I only have two choices: military or prison. Of the two, I think prison is the more peaceful choice," Kim said. "At least in prison I don't have to train to kill."

Kim was sentenced to 18 months, which today is a typical sentence for conscientious objectors in South Korea.

Lee Jo-Eun, an activist at Seoul-based group WithoutWar, which organizes anti-war protests and workshops for conscientious objectors, said they are often shut out of jobs at big companies and in the public sector, and often have to settle for part-time work.

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Omar Saa’d: Israel

I reject enlisting to the Israeli army or to any other, army because of national and moral reasons. Detained in prison on seven separate occasions

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Haluk Selam Tufanli Northern Cyprus

Conscientious Objector Haluk Selam Tufanli refused to participate in war preparations (reservist call up) in Northern Cyprus

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Yevgeny Yakovenko Belarus

A conscientious objector in Belarus who had been sentenced to one year in prison for "evading military service". He refuses to carry arms because of his pacifist convictions

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Jose Luis Pena Rueda Columbia

Young man in Columbia effectively snatched off the streets to fulfill his mandatory military service despite being a conscientious objector to military service on religious grounds

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TINA GARNANEZ

In July 2004, Tina was deployed to Iraq. Tina had already completed her tour of duty, but the Army can extend a soldier's enlistment through a policy known as stop-loss after some horrific experiences she realised she could no longer serve in the Iraq War and has since then worked in Veterans for Peace to persuade others not to go to war

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Joe Glenton: United Kingdom

Having been a soldier in the British Army Joe Glenton refused to serve a second tour in Afghanistan on legal and moral grounds, later spending five months in military prison.

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For Which Principles Would You Be Prepared

To Go to Prison?

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THE PEACE PLEDGE UNION Oldest secular pacifist organisation in Britain established in 1934

www.ppu.org.uk

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