Conscientious Objection to Military Service in International Human Rights Law

This book examines the right to conscientious objection in international human rights law. It begins with an exploration of the concept of conscience and its evolution. Ozgur Heval o inar analyzes human rights law at both the international and regional level, considering UN, European, and inter-American mechanisms.

'Özgür Heval Ç?nar provides a thorough and wide-ranging legal analysis . . . Grounded in an interesting exploration of the historical and philosophical origins and meaning of conscientious objection to military service, this book represents a significant contribution to this field.' - Philip Leach, Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre, Middlesex University, UK 'One of the most, if not the most, comprehensive studies to date. Özgür Heval Ç?nar displays profound insight into the genesis of conscientious objections to military service and offers a robust assessment of the position of this paramount right in international and regional human rights law. This book is destined to become the standard reference in the field.' - Jeroen Temperman, Editor-in-Chief, Religion & Human Rights, the Netherlands 'This is a very timely book. At both the United Nations and European level, jurisprudence on the right of conscientious objection to military service has taken significant steps forward in the last two years. All previously published works on the subject have been rendered out-of-date; Özgür Heval Ç?nar's new analysis is therefore an essential supplement.' - Derek Brett, Main Representative for Geneva, International Fellowship of Reconciliation, United Nations, Switzerland 'Since the Second World War, the definition of conscientious objection to military service and the international norms outlining how states should treat objectors have changed enormously, more than soldiers realize and more than most national judicial systems recognize. With detailed discussion of ground-breaking rulings on particular cases, Özgür Heval Ç?nar's account of this evolution is clear and authoritative. Essential reading.' - Howard Clark, Chairperson, War Resisters' International, UK 'This book merits wide dissemination among all those working on human right issues, whether in the context of politics, education, or NGO work.' - Friedhelm Schneider, President, European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, Belgium

Özgür Heval Ç?nar is Senior Associate Member of Seesox, St Antony's College, University of Oxford, UK.