London: Conscientious Objectors' Day vigil

Raised Voices choir with Sue Gilmurray

Source: London: Conscientious Objectors' Day 2026

On Friday, 15 May, campaigners, peace organisations and supporters gathered in Tavistock Square, London, to mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day.

The annual ceremony remembers those, past and present, who have refused to take part in war. Around the world, people continue to face imprisonment, exile, punishment and social pressure for refusing military service.

This year's event included speakers from ForcesWatch and Veterans for Peace Britain, testimonies from conscientious objectors, the reading of COs' names, the laying of white flowers at the memorial stone, and a minute's silence.

For Conscience: Taxes for Peace not War, this tradition is central to our campaign. We believe that those who have a conscientious objection to war should not be forced to fund war through their taxes. Just as people have fought for the right to refuse military service, we continue to campaign for the legal right to have the military part of our taxes redirected towards peacebuilding.

This year, Conscience has also joined other peace and faith organisations in supporting a petition calling on the UK Government to rule out military conscription, mandatory national service or compulsory registration, and to uphold the rights of conscientious objectors.

To read on and sign a petition see:
www.conscienceonline.org.uk/post/international-conscientious-objectors-day-2026-the-right-to-refuse-to-kill?