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Conscientious Objectors in Northern Cyprus

The Conscientious Objectors' Initiative in Northern Cyprus has announced its aim and principles. It has called on everyone to organise and opposed "war, attacks, occupations and militarism".

"This call is for all those who have lost a part of themselves in the wars which lasted for years in Northern Cyprus, for all those young individuals who cannot envisage a future because of military service, in short, for all women and men."

Aims of the initiative 

In its statement, the Initiative listed its aims:

• Not accepting the effects of militarism, it will stand by all those individuals who see militarism as an obstruction of peace, democratisation and civilian life.
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  It will oppose the legislation which accuses those opposing militarism of "alienating the public from military service" and will strive to have this legislation abolished. It will oppose military courts and work towards their abolishment.
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  In Northern Cyprus, it will lobby for a reorganisation of the presently obligatory military service, which violates the practices of EU countries and UN recommendations.

Rejection of violence, homophobia and "civilian death"

The Initiative further said that:

• It rejected violence as a method of problem-solving as well as obligatory military service.
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  It would collaborate with homosexuals and their organisations to combat the inhumane attitude of militarism and the army towards homosexuals.
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  It would call on all armed individuals "not to stand for deadlock, but for peace".
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  It supported those, numbering up to a thousand, who had not, would not or could not do their military service for different reasons, and were thus "draft evaders" and sentenced to "civilian death". They were being deprived of the most beautiful and fruitful time of their lives.
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  It would promote the concept of the right to conscientious objection in Cyprus and organise activities in order to raise public consciousness. (GG/TK/AG)