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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

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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.

IPB-Statement-Yuri Download

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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 15^th.

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”

No to War, No to Abduction: IPB Calls for Global Opposition to U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) firmly condemns the US military strikes in Venezuela, and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to stand trial in the US. This illegal act of war has already led to the death of civilians and military personnel alike and risks throwing both Venezuela and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region into greater instability and deeper conflict. Though the US claims that the military intervention is over, we must be wary of continued military and non-military intervention in Venezuela during this sensitive and volatile moment – as we have seen in past instances such as post-Gaddafi Libya, there is likely further instability to come.

Appeal for a Christmastime Peace in Ukraine

As Christmas approaches, the war in Ukraine is still ongoing after nearly four years, with countless lives lost, cities destroyed and grave consequences for the environment. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the war, there are still no signs of a breakthrough. Recent calls for a Christmas ceasefire from Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz represent a renewed opportunity for an important first step towards peace – a new Christmas Ceasefire. Similar proposals have been made in past years, including by Russia in 2023, without success.

Resolutions Adopted at the 2025 IPB Triennial Assembly

The weekend of October 25–26 IPB held its Triennial Assembly in Barcelona, the organization’s highest decision-making meeting. The event brought together 19 Board and Council members in person from the different regions in the world and 16 Board and Council members online, along with several individual members and external observers who joined both onsite and remotely—bringing the total to over 50 participants. Representatives of member organizations and partner networks engaged in formal and informal discussions, reviewed the progress made since the last Annual Council Meeting in 2024 and the last Triennial in 2022, and contributed to shaping IPB’s strategic direction for the coming years.

The outcome of such strategic conversations is reflected in the adopted resolutions, which will guide the work of our network moving forward.

Global Governance in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
The Importance of Cross-Movement Collaboration during Overlapping Crises
The Urgency of Disarmament Revitalization
Digitalizing IPB’s Data Management and Expanding Communication Platforms and Budget
Consolidation of IPB Consultants into a Formal Advisory Group

The first three resolutions respond to the changes we are currently facing in the international sphere. An increasingly dangerous tendency towards rearmament and a disregard for international institutions and norms is making it more necessary than ever to reflect on where we stand as a network committed to peace and justice. We renew and reaffirm our stance against militarism and in defense of social justice and environmental protection.

The last two resolutions are enablers for the sustainability and improvement of the work we do, indispensable to keep the IPB network active and growing.

Translations of the resolutions into different languages will be available shortly on this page.

Resolutions

1. Global Governance Reform in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

At a time when structural flaws are visible in the UN system, and the legitimacy of its institutions is growing fragile, IPB sees opportunities for global governance reform.

In doing so, we commit ourselves to advocating for the Pact for the Future, to supporting efforts to internationalise the UN Headquarters and meetings, and for greater inclusion of civil society and regional networks within the UN framework. Through developing partnerships, coalitions, and networks, we will support UN treaties and oppose efforts to weaken or delegitimise the UN.

1. Resolution – Global Governance Reform in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape Download

2. Building a Common Movement through Cross-Movement Collaboration during Overlapping Crises

2. Resolution – Building a Common Movement through Cross-Movement Collaboration during Overlapping Crises Download

3. The Urgency of Disarmament Revitalization

3. Resolution – The Urgency of Disarmament Revitalization Download

4. Digitalizing IPB’s Data Management and Expanding Communication Platforms and Budget

4. Resolution – Digitalizing the IPB Data Management and Processes Download

5. Development of an Advisory Group

5. Resolution – Development of an Advisory Group Download

Joint Presentation of 3 Million+ Signatures Urging Japan to Join the TPNW

3,449,012 Signatures Collected and Jointly Presented to Government
Urging Japan to Join the TPNW
Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo)

On November 21, responding to the call of Nihon Hidankyo, the joint presentation of signatures on the petition: “We Call on the Government of Japan, the Only A-bombed Country in Wartime, to Sign and Ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” was held in Tokyo. This was the first joint action where Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A-and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), Gensuikyo (Japan Council against A and H Bombs) and Gensuikin (Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs) coordinated, since the three organizations issued a joint appeal on July 23: “On the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombing: We Call for Nationwide Efforts to Inherit and Spread the Reality and Experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

Citizen Barometer on Peace, Security, and Human Rights

Issue 09, Nov.– Dec. 15, 2025

Created and produced by the Pamoja kwa Amani Coalition | www.pamojakwaamani.org | pamojakwaamanioscrdc@gmail.com

Executive summary

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the repetition of events seems inevitable: the months go by and are all the same. Despite the signing of agreements intended to bring about peace, these are never respected on the ground. Alongside these failures, civilians remain the main victims, continuing to suffer the consequences of a worrying humanitarian situation. Human rights violations persist and are spreading, affecting many areas of the country.

IPB Statement Condemning US Escalation against Venezuela

18 December 2025, Berlin, Germany

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) firmly condemns the continued escalation of the US military in the Caribbean against Venezuela, in particular the recently announced “total and complete blockade” of oil tankers leaving and entering the country which is an act of war. Following the recent seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, the Trump administration in the US has laid bare their true intentions in the region, which consistently undermine international law and human rights in the interest of US imperialism and domination.

In Memoriam: Cora and Peter Weiss

In loving memory of the peace founders we honour and remember, written by Colin Archer and Tomas Magnusson. Photo credit to Legacy.com.

Cora Weiss

(1934 – 2025)

It is with deep sadness that the International Peace Bureau announces the death, at the age of 91, of our former President Cora Weiss (USA). Cora was a towering figure in IPB’s modern history, taking the roles of Vice-President, President (2000-2006), and then Past President and UN rep (NY). As President she took over from Maj-Britt Theorin, and was succeeded by Tomas Magnusson and later others.

Let Pedro Sánchez Sign the TPNW

IPB supports the call for Spain to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) before November 2026. Help Generation Zero Nukes reach their goal: 300 signatures to collect!

The Spanish government has still not signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It must do so before the Meeting of States Parties in November 2026.

We are 89 seconds to midnight. The Doomsday Clock marks the greatest risk of nuclear war in history. A single large-scale nuclear confrontation would be enough to end civilization and life as we know it. Never before has humanity been so close to its own destruction.

This story can end in only two ways: either with the end of nuclear weapons… or with our own.

IPB Calls for De-escalation and Dialogue between Japan and China

16 December 2025 | Berlin, Germany

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) expresses deep concern over the growing diplomatic rift between Japan and China, which has escalated in recent weeks with joint Chinese and Russian drills with strategic bombers and fighters and more recently US nuclear-capable bombers accompanying Japanese fighter jets over the Sea of Japan. Japan and China have accused one another of aggressive militaristic behavior including targeting the other with radars.

IPB Calls on Cambodia and Thailand to Urgently Implement a Ceasefire Deal

10 December 2025, Berlin, Germany

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) strongly calls for the immediate implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord signed on October 26, 2025, and urges both Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint. With field-level tensions rising and initial ceasefire breaches reported, we call on ASEAN, the United Nations, and all regional stakeholders to actively support mediation efforts and engage constructively to prevent further escalation.