Emanuel Matondo, Angolan conscientious objector

Today we gather here at the Brandenburg Gate to mark this year’s International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, which we celebrate every May 15. For it was from this historic place in Germany, Berlin, that the slogan «Never again war! Never again fascism!» emerged after the catastrophe of 1933—1945. In other words: Never again racist rule!

Today, 80 years later, we stand here as citizens of Germany and of almost every nation in the world who raise their voices in various ways against war and consistently refuse to serve in the armed forces. In doing so, we are resisting all those who would have our societies believe once again that war is a normal state of affairs or that war can only be ended by war. No, war is the most abnormal state there is on this earth, after natural disasters.

I come from a country that suffered greatly from decades of war, left bleeding and destroyed. That is why I know what I am talking about. And I understand the real message when someone stands in front of me with a weapon in their hand and still talks about peace. I learned a lesson from the history of my homeland and refused: Please do not trust anyone who talks about peace with a weapon in their hand!