TheInternational Conscientious Objectors' Day (sometimes shortened toConscientious Objectors' Day) is aday of remembrance and anawareness day observed annually onMay 15 by thepeace movement to honour those who haverefused and continue to refuse to take part in war and military service.
At theInternational Conscientious Objectors’ Meeting (ICOM), aconference held annually from 1981 to 1997, it was decided in 1985 to mark the day each year on 15 May. The day was adopted from theEuropean Conscientious Objectors’ Day organised by theEuropean Bureau of Conscientious Objectors in 1982, 1983, and 1984.[1]
Each year, special attention has been given to a country where conscientious objectors face particular difficulties. Focus countries have included Greece (1986), Yugoslavia (1987), Poland (1988), South Africa (1989), Spain (1990), Turkey (1992), the former Yugoslavia (1993), Colombia (1995), Angola (2001), and the Balkan region (2002). Thematic focuses have included conscription of women (1991) and asylum for conscientious objectors (1993).[2]
In connection withRussia’s invasion of Ukraine since 2022 and renewed debates in Germany about the reintroduction of compulsory military service, informational and commemorative events have again become more common on International Conscientious Objectors' Day. In 2024, theGerman Peace Society (Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft – Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen) drew attention to the situation of around 1,000 Ukrainian conscientious objectors living in Germany without valid passports.[3][4][5]