conscientious objection

A lawsuit against the four people who participated in an activity to protest what happened to the conscientious objector Bal has been filed under article 318 for “alienating people from the military service”.

The court acquitted journalists Gençay and Çeşmecioğlu of their interview with the conscientious objector Bolot on October 30, 2005. There are still many cases like this one.

The four soldiers who were accused of tormenting conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan are acquitted. Tarhan’s lawyer is getting ready to appeal the verdict.

The Military Prosecutor sees no need to file a lawsuit for the bad treatment and torture conscientious objector Bal had to endure. Instead, Bal may be sued under article 301 for insulting the Turkish Armed Forces.

Mehmet Ali Avcı joins among conscientious objectionists with a public statement to refuse military service at the Istanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association. Refusing military service is still a crime in Turkey

Adana military court released conscientious objector Mehmet Bal by finding him not fit for military service. His lawyer objects the decision, since, he says, Bal rejected military service based on his belief in conscientious objection.

The Human Rights Investigation Committee may look into conscientious objector Bal’s ordeal, either when petitioned by the victim or informed about the subject.

Mehmet Bal, who refuses completing his military service on the ground of being a conscientious objector, goes on hunger strike to protest the treatment and violence he has been subjected to in the hands of his captors.

Bal, a conscientious objector, is arrested for refusing to return to his unit. He was manhandled in the military detention facility where he spent the night. The Human Rights Association plans to protest the incident.

Halil Savda, a conscientious objector, who is in jail for supporting other conscientious objectors, is also sentenced to five months for supporting the Israeli conscientious objectors.

Seven human rights organizations start a campaign for the removal of article 318, “the alienation of people from military service”. Close to a thousand people sign the declaration.

The conscientious objector Savda, still in prison, is declared exempt from military service to prevent the discussion of conscientious objection. Savda claims that he did not want the certificate of discharge.

After reading a press statement for the Solidarity Initiative for Ismail Saygi, conscientious objector Savda was himself taken into custody. The IHD has called on parliament to recognise the right to conscientious objection.

Conscientious objector Ismail Saygi, who was taken into custody on 16 March, has been arrested. His supporters have planned a campaign for today.

The ECHR has sentenced Turkey to paying Sanar Yurdatapan 3,500 Euros compensation for violating freedom of expression.

Turks in Northern Cyprus have also formed a Conscientious Objectors' Initiative, opposing militarism and legislation which punishes "alienating the public from military service".

Three supporters of conscientious objector Halil Savda have been acquitted of "putting the public off military service". Turkey has still not changed its legislation.

The 32nd issue of a local Gaziantep newspaper was confiscated after an article entitled "Mother, Don't Send Me to the Army" was published.

Turkey is the only member country of the European Council not to accept conscientious objection. Please support our campaign.