For Which Principles Would
You Be Prepared To Go to
Prison?
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International Conscientious Objectors’ Day
15 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 Titford
I cannot consent to kill another human
being
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Albert Inkpin
As a socialist and an internationalist I am strongly opposed to
war, which I regard as arising from the conflict of capitalist
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CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS
20,000 Men Said No
100 died in custody or directly as a result of their
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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 Scullard
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THIS MAN WAS PORTRAYED LIKE THIS
SIDNEY GODLEY
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THIS MAN RECEIVED THIS
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
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THIS MAN RECEIVED THIS
SIDNEY GODLEY; The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration
awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy”.
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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
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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SIDNEY GODLEY
Kathleen Lonsdale: United Kingdom
It 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 exists
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Ali Fikre Isik: Turkey
A 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: Israel
Idan 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
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practice with other conscientious objectors.
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
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objectors in South Korea.
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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