Our Executive Member, Helen Martins, had her letter published in the Morning Star on 13 May 2025, which articulates our solidarity and support for conscientious objectors and those who refuse to bear arms.
YOUR recent headline – More hours in store for Gaza (M Star May 5) – reported that Israel’s “so-called’ security cabinet was poised to extend its deadly war on the Palestinians in Gaza.
I don’t have the words to describe how exceedingly chilling and heinous this was to read. The article also reported an Israeli military source saying that the country had already decided to call up thousands of reserve soldiers.
What is less widely reported is that around the world today – in Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Norway, Colombia, Turkey, South Korea and many other countries – conscientious objectors are refusing to fight in wars. They are often persecuted for their beliefs, imprisoned of forced to flee their home countries for refusing to join the armed forces.
Since 1982, people around the world have remembered and marked their support for conscientious objectors on May 15, through live and online vigils and ceremonies across Britain, commemorating their brave example and standing in solidarity with them. The latest figures aviailable indicate that there are approximately 60 countries that have active conscription and about a further 23 countries with conscription laws in place but not actively drafting anyone.
In countries such as Britain, which have armed forces but no physical conscription, people still face “financial conscription” since each citizen is obliged to pay for the military through their taxes.
Today, young Israeli women and men, in ever-increasing numbers, have become conscientious objectors, following their conscience, refusing to obey orders and refusing to kill for their genocidal government. They face persecution, imprisonment or exile.
On May 15 we remember all those who have refused to bear arms and participate in war throughout history and today. Stand with the ones who say “no”.
HELEN MARTINS, Minster-on-Sea
WILPF UK Executive Committee members attend the International Conscientious Day commemorations in Tavistock Square, London on May 15. (Pictured Helen Martins, Claire Poyner, Paula Shaw and Cath Attlee)
