15 May 2009: International Conscientious Objection Day - Focus on South Korea

17 Dec 2008 — warresisters

Introduction

Since the 1980s, 15 May is celebrated as International Conscientious
Objectors' Day [1]. Originally coordinated by the International Conscientious Objectors' Meeting (ICOM), War Resisters' International stepped in to coordinate and promote International Conscientious Objectors' Day since ICOM ceased to meet ever since ICOM 1995 in Chad. As part of WRI's programme on The Right to Refuse to Kill [2], War Resisters' International helped to established a tradition of international nonviolent direct action on 15 May in support of a
certain CO struggle, accompanied by decentralised activities all over the world since 2002. Focus countries or region of the last years were the Balkans in 2002 [3], Israel in 2003 [4], Chile/Latin America in 2004 [5], Greece in 2005 [6], the United States of America in 2006 [7], Colombia in 2007 [8], and the theme of CO and professional soldiers in 2008 [9].
For 2009, War Resisters' International and Korea Solidarity for Conscientious Objection agreed to make the situation in South Korea the focus for international activities.

Why South Korea?

Since its foundation in 2001, the South Korean movement for conscientious objection has seen some successes, but has not yet achieved the recognition of the right to conscientious objection. Some of the major successes of the South Korean CO movement were:

• a reduction of the usual prison term for conscientious objectors from 3 years to 18 months;
• a decision of the United Nations' Human Rights Committee on two cases of COs from South Korea, declaring the non-recognition of the right to conscientious objection a violation of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion (Article 18 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) [10]
• a recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission of South
  Korea to recognise the right to conscientious objection [11]
• an announcement of the Minister of Defence to recognise the right to conscientious objection (September 2007) [12]

However, with the change of government in January 2008 the announcement of the
Minister of Defence to recognise the right to conscientious objection is no longer valid. Presently, the South Korean government is employing a delaying tactic [13], and it will require more pressure on the government to achieve progress regarding the right to conscientious objection.

Presently, more than 420 conscientious objectors are in South Korean for their conscientious objection to military service. About 100 conscientious objectors are facing trials without being detained. It has to be expected that most will receive a prison sentence of 18 months.

While the majority of conscientious objectors are Jehovah's Witnesses, there is also a non-religious movement of conscientious objectors, organised and supported by Korea Solidarity for Conscientious Objection. Four non-religious conscientious objectors are presently
serving prison sentences [14]

Objectives

• Raising international awareness for the situation of conscientious objectors in South Korea, who routinely face 18 months imprisonment.
• Linking the issue of conscientious objection in South Korea with nonviolent resistance and nonviolent direct action as a tool for social change movements.
• Exchange of experience in nonviolent direct action and campaigning for the right to conscientious objection among groups from South Korea and abroad.
• Strengthening international networking of conscientious objectors through joint training and action.

Planned activities

While the planned activities focus on International Conscientious Objection Day - 15 May 2009 - and the period immediately before 15 May, these activities do not stand alone. In fact, War Resisters' International and Korea Solidarity for Conscientious Objection have a cooperation going back to 2000 and before (see below). International Nonviolence Training and action, Seoul, 10-15 May 2009 Korea Solidarity for Conscientious Objection and War Resisters' International jointly organise an international training in nonviolent action, in Seoul, as the centre piece of the activities for 15 May 2009.

The international training in nonviolent action will bring together 40-50 participants from South Korea and other parts of the world, who will jointly use the training to share practical tools for nonviolent action. The training will also prepare for a joint nonviolent action on 15 May - International Conscientious Objectors' Day - in Seoul.

The training will be facilitated by a training team from KSCO and WRI, and will cover topics such as the development of nonviolent campaigns, preparing for action, dealing with police, decision making in campaigning groups and during an action, and others.

The experience of War Resisters' International in previous years has shown that a joint training is a good way to increase the understanding of each others contexts and political experiences, and contributes to the development of an international network of conscientious objectors.

International Conference on Conscientious Objection, 16 May 2009

The international activities will culminate with an international conference on conscientious objection in Seoul on Saturday, 16 May 2009. This international conference aims to share the experience of conscientious objection movement from different parts of the world
with a broader audience in Seoul, and to attract media attention. It will contribute to strengthening the case for the right to conscientious objection in South Korea.