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Conscientious Objection

Conscientious objectors are those who, for reasons of conscience, are opposed to military service because of their religious, philosophical, moral or ethical beliefs. Conscientious objectors who, out of principle, refuse military service where it is obligatory because their conscience rejects any kind of recourse to the use of force or because they are opposed to the participation in a particular conflict, must be open to accepting alternative forms of service.

Highlights

• Pax Christi International supports those who refuse to participate in armed force or object to specific military tasks, and calls on all governments to recognise this universal human right.

• Pax Christi also calls on governments to provide alternative civilian service opportunities for those opposed to military service. A variety of activities are organised to inform young people about the options.

• Pax Christi International made several written and oral interventions on the right of conscientious objection at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva.