EBCO spot

The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection / EBCO was founded in Brussels in 1979 as an umbrella structure for national associations of conscientious objectors in the European countries to promote the right to conscientious objection to preparations for, and participation in, war and any other type of military activity as a fundamental human right.

EBCO recommends to all European States:

1) to abolish all compulsory military service, and meanwhile refrain from prosecuting or otherwise harassing conscientious objectors, with no further action required from such persons; or - secondly - providing a non-punitive and non-discriminatory alternative service of purely civilian nature;

2) to legally recognise the right to conscientious objection to military service and ensure that it is possible for all conscientious objectors to avoid enlistment in the armed forces and for all serving members of the armed forces or reservists to obtain release without penalties should they develop conscientious objections, and that the civil, economic and political rights of conscientious objectors are fully protected;

3) to immediately cease any recruitment into the armed forces of persons aged under 18 and stop any military-type training of such persons;

4) to accept applications for asylum from all persons seeking to escape military service in any country where there is no adequate provision for conscientious objectors, and especially where they are in danger of being otherwise forced to participate in armed conflict;

5) to decrease military expenditure and increase social spending, and to make available to citizens with conscientious objections means of specifying that no part of the taxes which they have personally paid is directed towards military expenditure;

6) to introduce peace education in all parts of the education system.

www.ebco-beoc.org

Voice: Gina Chappa, Animation: Alexia Tsouni, Sound: Cinevangelos, Production: FemArtAct 2023