Let’s support freedom of conscience and build peace & justice.
During WWI, pacifists refused to kill, and helped to establish the right to conscientious objection in British law. Other people felt the only option was to join up and fight.
How can we honour these people, and all those affected by the many conflicts since?
We believe that the best way is to say ‘Never Again’ and instead to work for peace and justice.
Around the world, efforts to make peace often bring activists into conflict with the authorities. Many people are still put in prison for standing up for their beliefs today, like Loujain al-Hathloul, a human rights defender from Saudi Arabia, or Noam Gur, a conscientious objector in Israel.
Meanwhile conscientious objectors in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are refusing to participate in Russia’s war of aggression, and seeking peaceful resolutions to the conflict instead. The #ObjectWar campaign says: “they are our hope to refuse war and let peace prevail!”
Pop into Peace Hub, throughout May, June & July to:
- Find out more;
- Share what you believe in;
- Sign the petition to support Russian Objectors;
- See the beautiful Peace Poppy Mosaics.
Latest Posts on Taking a Stand
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Defend the Right to Speak out
A police raid on a Quaker Meeting House reminds us of the importance of freedom of assembly and expression. On 27 March 2025, more than 20 uniformed police, some equipped with tasers, forced entry into Westminster Quaker Meeting House, in central London. Officers broke open the door without warning, arresting six young people who had…
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White Poppies on Sale
White Poppies are now available at Peace Hub for 2023 – pop in to get one for a donation, to wear in the run-up to Armistice Day & Remembrance Sunday. You can also take a look at our white poppy displays created by local craftivists from Bull St, Hall Green and Walsall Quaker Meetings. And…
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Who are Conscientious Objectors Today?
Today (15th may) is International Conscientious Objectors day. As part of our theme Taking a Stand we’re highlighting those who are opposing war today, in very difficult circumstances. Conscientious Objectors (COs) Today Almost 30 countries still have conscription for young men (and in some cases women). In many countries, being recognised and respected as a…
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Over 100 years of Conscientious Objection
Our current theme Taking a Stand is all about exploring freedom of conscience. We are inspired by the people who made sacrifices to establish the right to conscientious objection over a century ago, and by those who are taking a stand today. Conscientious Objection in the First World War In 1916, the British government introduced…
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Join us to Take a Stand
We’re pleased to announce that our theme at Peace Hub for May, June & July is: Taking a Stand:Let’s support freedom of conscience. During WWI, pacifists refused to kill, and helped to establish the right to conscientious objection in British law. Other people felt the only option was to join up and fight. How can…
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Promote Human Rights
In this article, we’re thinking about how we could Promote Human Rights. Sometimes, we see security as holding onto the power we already have. We can be convinced to give up our basic rights in the name of protecting the status quo; and we can certainly become convinced that it’s necessary to take away other…