On September 19, 2024, Amnesty International Greece will host a webinar dedicated to conscientious objectors from various countries, including Belarus. The event, aligned with International Peace Day, will bring together experts and activists from around the world to discuss the issues and challenges faced by individuals who refuse military service for moral and ethical reasons.

The webinar will feature the following speakers:

• Yuri Sheliazhenko — Director of the “Non Violenza” organization, a conscientious objector from Ukraine, Director of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, and member of the EBCO (European Bureau for Conscientious Objection) Council.
• Sasha Belik — Russian conscientious objector, Director of “Stop Army” organization, and representative of conscientious objectors to military service in Russia.
• Olga Karatch — Representative of the “Our House” human rights center from Belarus and member of the EBCO Council.
• Arkun Merve — Conscientious objector from Turkey, representative of Watch Turkey, Vice-President of EBCO, and member of the War Resisters International (WRI).
• Halil Karapasaoglu — Conscientious objector from Cyprus.
• Theodoris Diamantidis — Conscientious objector from Greece and Secretary of the EBCO Council.

The webinar will start at 6pm Berlin time (7pm Athens time)

It is worth noting that Olga Karatch, as a representative of “Our House” from Belarus, has been elected to the National Council of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, based in Brussels. “Our House” is also a member of the WRI.

The webinar will serve as an important platform for discussing the pressing issues faced by conscientious objectors and for exchanging experiences among activists and experts from different countries.