June 28, 2006 - The American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization and co-recipient of the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize, supports the efforts of Lt. Erhen Watada, who is declining to serve in the Iraq war on moral grounds.

Speaking from our history as an organization committed to seeking alternatives to violence and war, assisting war victims and identifying constructive military service for conscientious objectors to war, the Service Committee supports Watada’s decision to refuse to fight based on moral conscience.

While Watada is neither pacifist nor a conscientious objector as defined by military standards, we strongly believe that Lt. Watada has the right to object in conscience to a war he believes is immoral.   Watada publicly upholds his moral and legal obligation to the United States Constitution but he believes that fighting in Iraq is tantamount to committing war crimes as defined by international law.  The crux of his decision not to serve is his unwillingness to follow what he believes are unlawful orders or to participate in what he believes are morally reprehensible acts.  He is willing to pay the price for that decision.

As an organization called to confront, nonviolently, powerful institutions of violence, AFSC seeks and trusts the power of the Spirit to guide the individual and his/her search for truth and practical action. The right of dissent is a fundamental principle of democracy. Each person must follow his moral conscience. AFSC, therefore, stands with Watada on his act of conscience.

The American Friends Service Committee is internationally recognized for its humanitarian work and long history fighting for human rights and against injustice. The Service Committee is a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, accepted on behalf of Quakers worldwide, for work to heal the wounds of war including massive efforts to feed starving children and help Europe rebuild during and after World Wars I and II.

We continue to express our deepest concern that war is inconsistent with Christian teachings. As Quakers we believe that there is that of God in each person and that love can overcome violence and hate.