Conscientious Objection in Turkey

Provides a socio-legal analysis of cultural norms and the right to conscientious objection in Turkey

• Discusses the international instruments which recognise the right to conscientious objection
• Analyses the compatibility of Turkish domestic law with international law
• Examines the socio-cultural elements behind the non-recognition of the right to conscientious objection in Turkey
• Forges a link between real life and academia
• Provides a socio-legal analysis of the right to conscientious objection

This book provides a socio-legal perspective to critical military studies by asking socio-legal questions about military conscription in Turkey: How do the international and domestic laws approach the conflict between the law and conscience? Why does Turkey insist on the non-recognition of the right to conscientious objection? How are those pursuing their conscience affected by such non-recognition? These questions are important as the law is shaped by the socio-cultural structures in which it operates, and any attempt to create a social change also necessitates understanding and challenging the legal framework. In this light, the book argues that one cannot fully understand and, as a result, resist the militarisation of society without understanding the relationship between the law and social norms.