We have come a long way since the first world war, when if you refused to fight for any reason you wouldmost likely be killed by your own side as a "coward". Those who did manage to make a valid case for conscientious objection were not respected that much more. Things have changed - in Britain at least.
The individual soldier may sign almost all his rights away when he signs up for duty, but he dies still qualify as a human being (some Plymouth rewsidents may disagree) and he has Human Rights. There is legal recognition for those who beleive that killing is wrong to be excused duty and now there are a number of organisations there to help you decide one way or the other if you want to bbecome a C.O. and will support you through the process if you decide you. The most useful of these in terms of information is called At Ease. If you are not likely to be called up because you are an ornamental pond technician or something, then you can contact another organisation called Consicence, who will advise you how to request that the percentage of your taxes which would be used to pay for the war machine can be diverted to peaceful peacekeeping uses instead, or simply withheld as a matter of principal. Most of us in normal life do not pay for things we don't beleive in or approve of (except perhaps if you have teenage children) so it is a natural extension to fillin the Peace Tax Return Form and make your point to the government. As my neighbour says, "it's alright for them to be able to fire out 10 million quid missiles per second, but it's our money that will be paying for it, and our services that will suffer".

Families with members out in the Gulf may also want this information to get their loved ones home safely, before the next freindly fire incident makes it too late.

THe Legal Situation and Your Rights
All members of the UK Armed Forces, regular, part-time and reserve, have a
right to apply for discharge on the grounds of a conscientious objection to
continued service.
more information...
Supplied by
AT EASE 28 Commercial Street LONDON E1 6LS
Telephone Sundays only 5pm-7pm 0207 247 5164
email

AT EASE is a free, independent advice service for members of the Armed
Forces. It is completely confidential. You do not need to tell us your
name. We will not attempt to influence your decision.


The following notes on procedure apply to UK Armed Forces only.



RESERVISTS


Reservists from all three Branches are liable to be called up but the
call-up for the potential war against Iraq will be selective. Those
recently discharged or with medical, nursing or certain other
qualifications or experience are most likely to be called up.

If the procedure follows the last Gulf War, you will receive a letter which
addresses you by your military rank ordering you to report to a base on a
specific date as your services are now required. As soon as you receive
that letter you are legally again a serving member of the Armed Forces and
subject to military law. If you fail to report as ordered, then you may be
regarded as a deserter.

Some Reservists may have problems (health, employment, family commitments,
conscientious objection)in responding to this order. If so, you are advised
to contact the AT EASE confidential helpline 0207 247 5164 on Sunday 5pm-7pm.

If, for any reason, you think you should not be sent to this war you need
to state your reason as soon as you report. A panel will probably sit until
late that night to consider all applications for exemption on all grounds.
Unless there are extremely strong grounds, you are unlikely to be granted
exemption that night. You will probably be given a deferment and another
date to report at a later date when your case will be considered further.




CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN UK RESERVE ARMED FORCES
If you have a sincere religious, political or moral objection to war on
Iraq or to any other use of the Armed Forces then you are a conscientious
objector.

You are legally entitled to an honourable discharge as a conscientious
objector but the procedure can be difficult and prolonged. You are advised
to keep in touch with AT EASE.

You need to write a letter stating your objection and post it in reply to
the person ordering you to report. Keep two copies.

This letter should be a truthful statement of your own beliefs in your own
words. You need to make clear whether you now object to any form of
military service or just to this particular war. This is very important.

If you object to any form of military service then you should ask to be
discharged on the grounds of conscience. You should ask for this reason to
be stated on your discharge papers.

If you would be willing to remain in the Reserves and be called up in case
of national emergency but object to bombing or fighting against Iraq in the
present circumstances then you need to state that clearly.

If possible, post your letter before the date on which you have to report.
Take a copy with you and hand it in when you report.

You may have a preliminary hearing that day or night, so you need to think
about possible questions and decide your response beforehand.

Would you be willing to serve in this country during the war to take the
place of someone else who could then go and fight in Iraq?

Are you willing to put on any sort of military uniform? Are you willing to
put on desert uniform?

You will be offered a payment for reporting. If you intend to refuse to
fight in Iraq you are advised not to accept this payment. If they insist on
giving you the money then you might state that you will donate it to a
suitable good cause.It is helpful to decide in advance what this will be.

If you are not satisfied with the decision that night you should ask to be
referred to the ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.

This is a committee appointed by the MOD, usually three civilians chaired
by a barrister, to question you and decide on your sincerity.

You should be given a deferment until this Committee is convened.

For further information about this procedure contact AT EASE - address below




CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN REGULAR ARMED FORCES
If you have a sincere religious, political or moral objection to the war on
Iraq, or to any other campaign, then you are legally entitled to an
honourable discharge as a conscientious objector.

The procedure can be prolonged and difficult. You are advised to contact
the AT EASE helpine for further advice on a Sunday 5pm-7pm. 0207 247 5164
EMail  atease@advisory.freeserve.co.uk.

Your first step is a letter to your Commanding Officer stating your position.

If you would be willing to remain in the Armed Forces provided you were not
involved in the war on Iraq then you should state this clearly. You should
ask, at first, for an alternative posting.

If, because of your objection, you wish to leave then you should ask, in
this letter to be discharged as a conscientious objector. The procedure is
the same whether you object to all warfare or just object to one aspect of
military service such as the war on Iraq or strike-breaking.

You should ask for a posting to non-combatant duties whilst your case is
considered.

In either case your letter should be a truthful statement in your own words
about your own beliefs.

Your Commanding Officer will usually ask the Chaplain for an opinion of
your sincerity. You may speed the process up by seeking an interview with
the Chaplain yourself.

You may be asked to provide evidence. That could be a statement about your
sincerity from someone who knows you such as a Minister of Religion,
teacher or Member of Parliament

If your objection is political, ask your referee to be careful about what
he or she says. Members of the British Armed Forces are allowed to be
members of non-subversive political organisations such as CND but are not
allowed to be active members. That means you are not allowed to join
marches, demonstrations, make speeches, talk to journalists or collect
petitions. You may wear a badge when not in uniform and you may attend
indoor meetings.

If your objection is just in your own mind and you don't have any witnesses
then you can provide evidence in the form of an affidavit, that is a
statement by yourself sworn before a solicitor.

You will be informed verbally whether or not your Commanding Officer has
recommended your discharge as a conscientious objector.

If not you, may ask for your case to be referred to the ADVISORY COMMITTEE
on CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.

You will later be informed whether the Ministry of Defence has agreed your
discharge. This may happen more than once. There are variations within the
three services. Each time you are told it has been turned down, at whatever
level, you need to repeat your request for referral to the ACCO.

This is a hearing before a panel of three civilians, usually chaired by a
lawyer, who will ask you questions about your sincerity. You may bring
witnesses who may include family or friends. You may, if you wish have a
solicitor or you may if you wish represent yourself.

The ACCO hearing is usually in London and, if posted overseas, you are
supposed to be returned to the UK in time to consult a solicitor and/or
your witnesses.

You can, if you wish, ask to wear civilian clothes for the hearing.

You will not be told the result on the day as it has to be confirmed by the
Secretary of State.

If you wish, an AT EASE counsellor can offer advice about the procedure at
any stage. Please ring us on a Sunday (5-7pm) 0207 247 5164

Note to journalists and peace activists

Please remember that members of the British Armed Forces do not enjoy the
same rights to free speech, civil liberties and choice of employment that
you do. They do not even have rights enjoyed by members of other European
or USA Armed Forces.

It is a heavily punishable offence for any member of the British Armed
Forces to communicate with the media directly, indirectly or anonymously,
to take part in any demonstration or speak in public on any controversial
issue.
In war time absence without leave is counted and punished as desertion.
They are committed to harshly enforced, long contracts and can no longer
"buy themselves out".

So before you urge them to any action that will incur penalties you will
never face, consider advising them to consult AT EASE instead.

AT EASE counsellors will not incite, manipulate or exploit them. We will
not ask them to do anything they don't want to do. We will try our best to
respect their own decisions and support them in carrying them out.