QCEA
works on issues relating to the right to conscientious objection
to taxation for military purposes. QCEA proposes the establishment
of the legal right for individual taxpayers to direct a relevant
proportion of their tax away from military uses, and towards peacebuilding,
international development, and the many alternatives to war. We
plan to present a resolution to the Council of Europe which establishes
this right under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights
on freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The principle of
freedom of conscience is a basic human right, and the current tax
policies force complicity in war on pacifists, Buddhists, Quakers
and others who are compelled towards peace by belief, by instinct
or by simple humanity. Thus the tax systems in most European Countries
disregard the freedom of conscience, and undermine the fundamental
aspects of religious, moral and human identity.
Governments
are using war as an instrument of policy. Today, they are employing
increasingly sophisticated instruments, binding the civilian population
to participate in preparing for war. The changed nature of warfare
involves fewer, yet more highly trained soldiers, more frequent
use of bombs and an increased number of civilian casualties. In
order to conduct war in modern times, civilian tax money is of utmost
importance, thus making conscription a less significant contributor.
Civilians pay compulsory military taxes.
QCEA
is asking the Council of Europe for the establishment of a legal
right to conscientious objection to the use of our tax money for
military purposes. We have drafted a resolution to this effect,
based on the text of the resolution which legally affirmed the right
to conscientious objection to military service.
Further
Information on Peace Tax at the Council of Europe
•
Peace
Tax at the Council of Europe Briefing Papers
•
Analysis
of the Draft Peace Tax resolution
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