Conscientious Objection
Tarhan first publicly objected to military service in October 2001. At a press conference in Ankara he said,
"I condemn every kind of violence and believe that joining or condoning violence will only result in new violence and everyone will be responsible for the consequences. I think that wars caused by power-mongering states are first and foremost a violation of the right to life. The violation of the right to life is a crime against humanity and no international convention or law can justify this crime, regardless of any rationale. I therefore declare that I won’t be an agent of such crime under any circumstances. I will not serve any military apparatus."
Read more about this topic: Mehmet Tarhan
Famous quotes containing the word objection:
“My only objection to the arrangements there is the two-in-a-bed system. It is bad.... But let your words and conduct be perfectly pure—such as your mother might know without bringing a blush to your cheek.... If not already mentioned, do not tell your mother of the doubling in bed.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)