Left to Right: Kevin Benderman being led out of the courtroom after being court-martialed (photo Maritza Mej&iaacute;a, distributed by www.bendermandefense.org), Camilo Mejia in Iraq © Private, and Agustin Aguayo being arrested after turning himself in at a Los Angeles church
Conscientious Objectors:
Soldiers Refusing to Participate in War
In the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of applications from soldiers refusing to participate in the war and occupation in Iraq. They have applied for conscientious objector (CO) status, which would allow them exemption from participation in war, based on reasons of conscience or conviction. However, the US government has denied most of them and has aggressively pursued soldiers who have gone absent without leave (AWOL), a crime punishable by a maximum sentence of death by firing squad.
» Read more about recently released conscientious objectors and cases in progress
» Get more information if you are a member of the armed forces and are considering applying for CO status
» Questions and Answers about CO status
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