War has been part of humanity from early on. It mainly emanates from human greed, hatred and abuse of power. All this evil has been igniting causes of war. However, it seems collective behaviour of humanity can win over all these elements of evil and achieve everlasting peace. On the contrary all humanity regardless of origin, race or geographic location shares a common desire for peace. Almost all religious teaching advocates for peace. This was evident from the World Council of Churches (WCC), International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC).

Further on the Turkish military prosecution of conscientious objector İnan Süver. His possible release on license for this 25 months sentence was delayed for 9 months, because he escaped from the civil prison for some days. He declared no his escape: “I haven’t committed any crime, so why am I in prison?” Now İnan Süver has to stay in jail at least until June 13, 2012.

He was sentenced to 25-months’ imprisonment for three cases of desertion before 2007. For his desertion in 2007, the trial continues and the possibility that he will be sentenced is high. His trial for military insubordination also continues and a trial on his recent escape from prison will begin soon. Under such conditions İnan Süver’s freedom seems to be a dream. We believe that everybody and every group can do something to help change this situation. We call on them for solidarity.

There exists objection and evasion of war and military in many countries of the world. It can occur at any time. A person may object before or after joining the military, before or after being recruited in case of conscription. Evaders and deserters are generally prosecuted, COs are rejected still in a lot of countries. If a CO right exists, they often have to face a complicated and degrading screening process. Furthermore a lot of countries do not give the opportunity to already recruited draftees and professional soldiers to legally declare their CO. Globally, COs are facing prosecution, repression, or re-recruitment. For this reason some of them apply for asylum somewhere else.

In all wars individuals - sometimes only a few, sometimes thousands - try to evade military service, to object military actions or desert from the military. They face prosecution and persecution. Furthermore objectors have to realize that in many countries their conscience and convictions are not accepted. They face repression, prosecution or new recruitment as well. This is why all of them seek protection abroad in other countries. But over and over again such applications for asylum are rejected. Generally, prosecution and persecution of conscientious objectors or deserters is not regarded as a valid reason for asylum.

Some international resolutions and recommendations have been adopted in recent years. I would like to give a summary of these, highlighting different opinions and the existing possibilities for conscientious objectors and deserters to be accepted as refugees. Additionally, I will outline the limits of such possibilities.