OPEN CALL to discuss the right to conscientious objection

YKP Youth calls all interested parties to attend a meeting at the Turkish Cypriot Teacher's Union (KTOS) building on December 8th at 3:00pm to discuss the issue of compulsory military service and the addition of the right to conscientious objection to the potential list of changes to the constitution.

Turkish Cypriot youth has been a dedicated part of the struggle for peace participating and organizing demonstrations, activities and now, we still need to continue this struggle to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future in our island. However, despite our struggle, our problems have not disappeared. One of these is the compulsory military service which forces many youngsters to emigrate out of the island, be imprisoned in an endless cycle of unemployment and/or uncertain delays. It also adds to the continued atmosphere of fear and nationalism.

YKP-Youth has always been a pioneer in attempts to solve problems like this one and has signed multiple declarations with other youth organizations, however, unfortunately, all the initial excitement and energy quickly died and nothing was solidified.

Now that we are members of the European Union, we need to start thinking as such. The European Union along with United Nations and other European and international bodies recognizes the right for conscientious objection and provides mechanisms for complete waiver of the requirement or for non-militarist alternatives such as community service.

We would like to take this opportunity, now, that there is a hot discussion about constitutional changes, and ask all interested parties to join us in this discussion to formulate an action plan to demand legislation on this topic.

WHERE: Turkish Cypriot Teacher's Union (KTOS) building.

WHEN: December 8th, 3:00 pm.

INFORMATION: 90-392-2274917, 90-533-933-5071

Turkish Cypriots dare to oppose the ‘military myth’ By Simon Bahceli- Cyprus Mail - 09.12.2007

Και οι Τ/Κ δηλώνουν αντιρρησίες συνείδησης Της ΜΕΛΙΝΑΣ ΜΕΝΕΛΑΟΥ - Αλήθεια - 13.12.2007