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The International Peace Bureau (IPB) Has Announced its Intention to Nominate Three Remarkable Organizations with a Focus on the Right to Conscientious Objection for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3 August 2023

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) Has Announced its Intention to Nominate Three Remarkable Organizations with a Focus on the Right to Conscientious Objection for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

Berlin, Germany – The International Peace Bureau (IPB) has announced our intention to nominate three exceptional organizations for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize: the Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors, the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, and the Belarusian organization “Our House”. The decision to nominate these three organizations is a testament to their unwavering dedication in advocating for the right to conscientious objection to military service and promoting human rights and peace in their respective countries.

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the world’s most esteemed awards, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the pursuit of peace and harmony. The nomination period for the 2024 prize will open on 1 September 2023 and the nominations will be promptly submitted for consideration.

The Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors (https://stoparmy.org/), the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement (http://pacifism.org.ua/), and the Belarusian Our House (https://news.house/) have demonstrated unparalleled excellence and dedication in their efforts as defenders of peace, conscientious objection, and human rights, especially after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 and despite the considerable stigmatization each organization has faced since.

The fundamental right to conscientious objection to military service is an inherent human right, protected under the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion as safeguarded by Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This right remains inalienable, even during periods of public emergency, as explicitly stated in Article 4(2) of the ICCPR. Embracing conscientious objection is a concrete means of contributing to peace. Hence, it becomes imperative to emphasize and safeguard this fundamental human right, especially during times of war.

Even in the face of escalating threats, the three movements persist in their dedication to aiding individuals who resist war and military mobilization. Their focus is particularly on supporting those who endure persecution, torture, and imprisonment. This commitment encompasses all instances of forced and violent recruitment into participating armies, as well as the persecution of conscientious objectors, deserters, and non-violent anti-war demonstrators.

“We are humbled and honored to nominate these three remarkable movements for the Nobel Peace Prize. Their courage in championing the right to conscientious objection and their tireless efforts to promote peace and human rights serve as an inspiration to us all,” said Philip Jennings, Co-President of IPB.

By nominating these three movements, we seek to raise awareness about the importance of the right to conscientious objection, fostering peace and human rights. Furthermore, we hope that the announcement of this intended nomination will remind and pressure governments and nations across the globe to respect the right to conscientious objection in their own countries and provide alternatives to military service for those that object. This includes the right to asylum for conscientious objectors forced to flee their own countries in order to avoid military service.

We call other organizations and particularly Nobel Peace Laureates from across the globe to support this nomination. Together our voices in support for conscientious objection can protect those who are selflessly putting their lives on the line to defend their beliefs and their compatriots who reject war and violence.

The selection process for Nobel Peace Prize laureates is highly competitive and is conducted by esteemed committees dedicated to recognizing peace efforts worldwide. We firmly believe that these three movements stand among the most deserving candidates for this prestigious recognition.

About IPB

The International Peace Bureau is dedicated to the vision of a World Without War. Our current main programme centres on Disarmament for Sustainable Development and within this, our focus is mainly on the reallocation of military expenditure.  We are a Nobel Peace Laureate (1910); over the years, 13 of our officers have been recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

International Peace Bureau

info@ipb-office.berlin

+49 (0) 30 1208 4549

Marienstraße 19-20 10117, Berlin – Germany

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Justice for Yurii Sheliazhenko

Berlin, Germany – The International Peace Bureau strongly condemns the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) decision to charge IPB Councilmember and Seán MacBride Prize Laureate Yurii Sheliazhenko with “justification of Russian aggression” and search of his apartment. The charge is based solely on Sheliazhenko’s “Peace Agenda for Ukraine and the World,” a document which explicitly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and promotes peace, justice, and the right to conscientious objection to military service.

Yurii and his organization, the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, have always opposed both sides of the current war and advocated for dialogue, negotiations, and a peaceful resolution which addresses the underlying causes of the war.

We call on the Ukrainian government and the SBU to respect the rights of conscientious objectors and the right to free speech for peace in Ukraine, rights that cannot be violated even during times of war. We vow to support Yurii’s rights and to rally international support for his freedom and wellbeing.

Yurii’s response to the charges and search can be found at https://worldbeyondwar.org/we-object-to-the-illegal-search-and-seizure-at-apartment-of-yurii-sheliazhenko-in-kyiv/

A petition for the Ukrainian government to drop the prosecution of Yurri can be found here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-ukrainian-government-to-drop-prosecution-of-peace-activist-yurii-sheliazhenko/

Please see attached Press Release.

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Report – 2nd Negotiations Round on a Nulcear Weapons Ban Treaty

After the successful session in March 2017 and the publication of the draft of the Convention to prohibit nuclear weapons by the Chair Ambassador Elayne Whyte from Costa Rica, the Second round of negotiations on a Convention started on June 15th.

The sprit of the 125+ participating countries is productive and dynamic and no major disagreements have been stopping the hard works of the participants from going forward. Nuclear weapons States possessors and their allies, the countries who rely on nuclear weapons in their security doctrines, have chosen to boycott the process, except the Netherlands. Continue reading “Report – 2nd Negotiations Round on a Nulcear Weapons Ban Treaty”

Israel Detains the Global Sumud Flotilla: Another War Crime

Statement by the International Forum for Peace

In violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), International Humanitarian Law, and Article 54 of the Geneva Convention and its Additional Protocol I, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the detention of its crew in waters over which it has no jurisdiction.

Continue reading “Israel Detains the Global Sumud Flotilla: Another War Crime”

In the 80th Year of the A-Bombing – Decision and Action Now to Abolish Nuclear Weapons!

2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs Declaration of the International Meeting

It will soon be 80 years since the atomic bombs were dropped by the US on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Now, in this 80th year, the world must make a decision to abolish nuclear weapons and to take necessary actions to implement that commitment. Assembled in Hiroshima, we recall anew the unspeakable devastation caused by nuclear weapons, and appeal to the people around the world to open the road to a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world.the world must make a decision to abolish nuclear weapons and to take necessary actions to implement that commitment. Assembled in Hiroshima, we recall anew the unspeakable devastation caused by nuclear weapons, and appeal to the people around the world to open the road to a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world.

Continue reading “In the 80th Year of the A-Bombing – Decision and Action Now to Abolish Nuclear Weapons!”

Military & conflict-related emissions & climate reparations for Palestine

A new report titled “Military & Conflict-Related Emissions & Climate Reparations for Palestine”, jointly prepared by Tipping Point North South and the Palestinian Institute for Climate Strategy, examines the environmental and climate impacts of military activity in the context of the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

The report is released to coincide with the civil society-led “Draw the Line” Global Week of Action, which takes place alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and ahead of the UN Climate Summit (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.

Continue reading “Military & conflict-related emissions & climate reparations for Palestine”

Black Alliance for Peace Launches 5th International Month of Action Against AFRICOM

The Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) has launched its 5th International Month of Action Against AFRICOM, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing action against foreign military intervention in Africa. This year’s theme, “21st Century Neocolonialism: Capitalism, Compradors, and the Ongoing Scramble for Africa,” highlights ongoing issues of militarization, dependency, and the exploitation of African resources.

Continue reading “Black Alliance for Peace Launches 5th International Month of Action Against AFRICOM”

Call of the International Forum for Peace Against Wars, Blockades, Military Spending, and the Genocide of the Palestinian People

LET US SOW LIFE | 21 September 2025

On this September 21, declared by the UN as the International Day of Peace, dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace, at a time when the increase in military spending is generating a spiral of warmongering that endangers the future of humanity, we, from the International Forum for Peace, wish to express our rejection of wars, the arms race, the arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, the exponential growth of military spending, and our defense of a future of Peace and progress for humanity.

Continue reading “Call of the International Forum for Peace Against Wars, Blockades, Military Spending, and the Genocide of the Palestinian People”

Sign On: International Declaration for Free, Credible and Inclusive Elections in Cameroon

We, international organizations and partners committed to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and lasting peace, express our deep concern over the sociopolitical and security climate ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 12 October 2025 in Cameroon.

The country is experiencing a profound crisis marked among others by:

Continue reading “Sign On: International Declaration for Free, Credible and Inclusive Elections in Cameroon”

Statement by the International Peace Bureau (IPB) on the U.S. Attacks Against  Venezuelan Vessels and the Escalation of Military Deployments in the Caribbean

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) expresses deep concern over the recent deployment of U.S. Navy destroyers off the coast of Venezuela and, most urgently, the destruction of two Venezuelan vessels that resulted in the deaths of 14 people. Such militarization of the Caribbean constitutes a direct threat to the “Zone of Peace” that Latin American and Caribbean states have collectively declared. Far from promoting stability, these actions risk inflaming tensions, undermining sovereignty, and dragging the region into dangerous cycles of militarization and violence.

Continue reading “Statement by the International Peace Bureau (IPB) on the U.S. Attacks Against  Venezuelan Vessels and the Escalation of Military Deployments in the Caribbean”

Global | Live the Live Peace events

Date and Time: 21-Sep

Location: Global

Description of Activity: 

On September 21, the world becomes a stage for peace.
All over the globe, more and more people are celebrating Live Peace events – through concerts, performances, or simply a party with friends. Anything goes, as long as the message is clear: We want peace!

Find an event near you – or host your own.
Join in. Raise your voice. For peace.

Continue reading “Global | Live the Live Peace events”

Netherlands | Peace Demonstration: Take action now for world peace

Date and Time: 21-Sep, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Monument on Dam Square, Netherlands

Description of Activity: 

Sunday 21 September 2025 is International Peace Day. This year’s UN theme is: act now for a peaceful world. Among other things, it concerns the importance of understanding and non-violence. That is why we will gather in silence from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam. To commemorate the victims of the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and other wars worldwide, but also, and above all, to call for peace.

Continue reading “Netherlands | Peace Demonstration: Take action now for world peace”