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Resisting Militarism

By

Liza Smith

on

Thursday, August 28, 2008, 1:11pm

Conscientious Objection and Counter-Recruitment in the U.S.

All across the country, young people are standing up and saying “NO” to military recruiters in their high schools and on their college campuses. Communities are mobilizing to create alternative jobs and find positive opportunities outside of the military. Youth in the military and “civilian” youth are defining themselves as conscientious objectors — those who refuse to fight what they deem as unjust and unnecessary wars.


According to the Center on Conscience and War, hundreds of U.S. soldiers have applied for Conscientious Objector status since the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003, refusing to engage in armed conflict because of their beliefs. Beyond those currently in the military, it is also becoming increasingly popular for non-enlisted youth to examine their attitudes towards war and proclaim themselves as conscientious objectors as well.


Counter recruitment organizing, working to stop youth from joining the military, is ——

Educating our communities about alternatives to the military, shutting down the military invasion of our communities, schools, and future and supporting those who refuse to fight
——To name a few components.
Conscientious Objection in Colombia

In Colombia, forcibly recruiting youth to be involved in the 40-year civil war has been regarded as just another tragic effect of the armed conflict. Currently, all men over 18 must serve in the military unless they meet certain criteria or are able to buy their way out. There are certain sectors of the population who are legally exempt from service, but since the most common form of “irregular” military recruitment entails rounding up boys at places where they meet — at schools, parks, or dance and billiard halls, many youth never have a chance to file for an exemption because they are not aware of an opportunity (or knowledge of their rights) to resist. Without a military service card, men cannot graduate from university or get a job with any private or public company.

Despite a provision in the Colombian Constitution stating, “no one will be obligated to act against their conscience,” the Colombian Constitutional Court has ruled that there is no right to conscientious objection. However, the United Nations has long recognized the right of conscientious objection to military service and Colombia, as a signer of both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, is thereby required to obey.

Written by Liza Smith and Brie Phillips for the Drop Beats Not Bombs 2008 Tour.