South African resistance to war: Difference between revisions

 

==Conscientious objectors==

Those who based their objection to war either on grounds of the rejection of a particular system, such as the Apartheid State, or doctrines that exclude war based upon illegal means. The [[End Conscription Campaign]] was an organisation active from 1983-1994, that for the most part, pursued the notion of objection to war based upon freedom of conscience.

 

==Pacifists, deserters and draft dodgers==

Those who resisted war in general or in part due to either religious, private or personal convictions. Either by failing to enlist, deserting, or refusing to do service by other means. Desertion is punishable under the Military Discipline Code (MDC) which forms part of the 1957 Defence Act. Although the present 1957 Defence Act requires military service obligations after completion of the initial military training, these obligations are not enforced owing to an August 1994 moratorium placed on prosecution for not responding to the call-ups. [7]

 

 

==Committee on South African War Resistance==

The [[Committee on South African War Resistance]] (COSAWR) was founded in 1978 by the merging of two groups of South African war resisters active in Britain. It functions as a self-help organization for South African military refugees. It also worked to raise the issue of militarism in South African and conducted research into the South African military structure and resistance. Its magazine 'Resister' became the leading magazine on South Africa's militarisation. In 1990, when the sentencing of COs in South Africa changed considerably, the majority of COSAWR decided to return to South Africa.

 

==Conscientious Objector Support Group==

The [[Conscientious Objector Support Group]] (COSG), an umbrella organisation, was formed in 1978. In 1982 263 COs were serving sentences in military detention barracks. In 1983 the Defence Act was amended providing for the first time a six-year substitute service outside the armed forces for COs.

 

==Stop the War Committee==

The [[Stop the War Committee]] was an anti-war organisation which opposed the Second Boer War.

 

It was formed by William Thomas Stead in 1899{{Citation needed}}. Its president was John Clifford and prominent members included Lloyd George and Keir Hardie. The group was generally seen as pro-Boer.

 

==References==

* [http://www.wri-irg.org/co/rtba/southafrica.htm Refusing to Bear Arms (South Africa)], A worldwide survey of conscription and conscientious objection to military service, [[10 August]] [[1998]].

 

 

[[Category:Apartheid in South Africa]]