Conscientious Objector Support Group
Encyclopedia
The Conscientious Objector Support Group (COSG), a support group to conscientious objectors (COs) in South Africa
, was formed in 1978. The organisation grew in the context of South African resistance to war
, at the time of Apartheid.
COs at the time included those who openly refused to report to the Military, once conscripted, those who were sometimes referred to as draft dodger
s, and in due course those who were doing statutory community service.
The amendment was drafted at a time when the State was under increasing pressure to address the situation of COs. One of these pressures was the increased number of COs in prison or military barracks. For example, in 1982 there were 263 COs serving sentences in military detention barracks.
The 1983 amendment provided for the first time for a form of alternative service, although for a punitively long period of three times the military service.
Conscripted military service at that time consisted of two years full time service, followed by 'camps'. The latter were annual call-ups for short-term periods of about a month, though not everyone was called every year. For those who had not done any military service, the Act provided for a six-year period of community service. For those who had done the initial military service and objected only to the camp component, the requirement was three years duty.
This amendment recognised COs only if they were religious pacifists, even if they did not belong to the so-called 'peace churches
'. COs had to appear before a Board for Conscientious Objection sitting in Bloemfontein
, which ruled on whether they complied with the requirements of the Act.
Those who were accepted by the Board as COs were placed in community service under the administration by the then Department of Manpower. Typical places for service were hospitals and the civil service generally. The decision was made by the authorities, though the CO was permitted to express his preferences. (Military service only applied to white males.)
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, was formed in 1978. The organisation grew in the context of South African resistance to war
South African resistance to war
South African resistance to war has a long tradition, and a history that includes conscientious objectors, pacifists, deserters and draft dodgers, as well as those whose objections are based upon the notion of "just war" as opposed to unjust or illegal war....
, at the time of Apartheid.
COs at the time included those who openly refused to report to the Military, once conscripted, those who were sometimes referred to as draft dodger
Draft dodger
Draft evasion is a term that refers to an intentional failure to comply with the military conscription policies of the nation to which he or she is subject...
s, and in due course those who were doing statutory community service.
Community service under the 1983 amendment to the Defence Act
A 1993 amendment to the South African Defence Act provided for substitute service outside the armed forces for COs complying with certain requirements.The amendment was drafted at a time when the State was under increasing pressure to address the situation of COs. One of these pressures was the increased number of COs in prison or military barracks. For example, in 1982 there were 263 COs serving sentences in military detention barracks.
The 1983 amendment provided for the first time for a form of alternative service, although for a punitively long period of three times the military service.
Conscripted military service at that time consisted of two years full time service, followed by 'camps'. The latter were annual call-ups for short-term periods of about a month, though not everyone was called every year. For those who had not done any military service, the Act provided for a six-year period of community service. For those who had done the initial military service and objected only to the camp component, the requirement was three years duty.
This amendment recognised COs only if they were religious pacifists, even if they did not belong to the so-called 'peace churches
Peace churches
Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating Christian pacifism. The term historic peace churches refers specifically only to three church groups among pacifist churches: Church of the Brethren, Mennonites including the Amish, and Religious Society of Friends and has...
'. COs had to appear before a Board for Conscientious Objection sitting in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
, which ruled on whether they complied with the requirements of the Act.
Those who were accepted by the Board as COs were placed in community service under the administration by the then Department of Manpower. Typical places for service were hospitals and the civil service generally. The decision was made by the authorities, though the CO was permitted to express his preferences. (Military service only applied to white males.)