press release

Brussels, 17 April 2012

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) participated today in the second Global Day of Action on Military Spending (GDAMS) to protest against military spending with two joint actions, in Brussels, Belgium and in Athens, Greece. EBCO condemns the excessive level of military spending and calls for a reallocation of resources to fulfil basic human needs.

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) expresses its deep concern over forced labour in the Russian army and urges the Russian authorities to take immediate action to stop this inhuman practice and bring those responsible to justice, following the independent analytical NGOs report ‘The Redundant Soldier.

To:    President of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Abdullah Gül
Fax: +90 312 470 1316
E-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Cc:    Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Fax: +90 312 422 1899
E-mail: receptayyip.erdogan@basbakanlik.gov.tr
Brussels, 13 March 2012

Dear Mr. President,

To:   President of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Abdullah Gül
Fax: +90-312-427.13.30
E-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Cc:   Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey
Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Fax: +90-312-417.04.76
E-mail: receptayyip.erdogan@basbakanlik.gov.tr

Brussels, 10 January 2012
Dear Mr. President,

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection denounces the continuing trials of civilians and conscientious objectors before military courts. Recent cases in Egypt, Greece and Turkey have demonstrated that military courts do not respect the rule of law nor international conventions on human rights. EBCO invites human rights organisations to join an international campaign to stop military courts judging civilians.

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection welcomes the recent landmark decision on the case of the Turkish-Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli. On December 8 the Military Court in Lefkosa (“northern” Nicosia, Cyprus) accepted the demand of Murat Kanatli to refer his case to the Constitutional Court on the basis of the freedom of thought and expression. EBCO considers that this is a step in the right direction because the military courts have indeed no authority over civilians; therefore they have nothing to do with conscientious objectors anyway.

Brussels, 7 December 2011

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2011, the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection calls for solidarity with Turkish conscientious objector Halil Savda, Turkish-Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli and Greek conscientious objector Gerasimos Koroneos and demands the immediate and unconditional end of their persecution.

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection calls for the immediate and unconditional end of the persecution of Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Murat Kanatli, whose court hearing will take place tomorrow at the military court in Nicosia (northern part), Cyprus. Claude Verrel, French Board Member of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, will be present at the military court to defend Murat Kanatli, call for the end of his persecution and express the international solidarity with him.