[4] In 1985 EBCO along with War Resisters' International formally adopted the International Conscientious Objectors' Day (CO day), occurring on May 15th,[5] which celebrates those who have and continue to resist war and participating in military structures,[6] and propelled it to worldwide recognition.
[5] The organisation lobbied for European countries to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since at least 2008, it writes an annual report on conscientious objection and civilian service for the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
[1] Since 2021, EBCO has adhered to and utilised the International Standards on Conscientious Objection to Military Service, published in the same year by the Quaker United Nations Office, available in English, Spanish, Russian and French.
The paper outlines the ways in which conscientious objection has been recognised and protected through human rights mechanisms and treaties, accounting for developments in international standards that have occurred since 2015.