December 1 has long been recognized as International Prisoners for Peace Day, a time to remember imprisoned conscientious objectors (COs), military refusers, and war resisters. Each year since 1956, War Resisters' International (WRI) has published an Honor Roll of the names of current Prisoners for Peace.

In many countries, prison is still the fate of conscientious objectors. Thousands of COs are still in prison - in South Korea, Israel, Finland, Spain, and many other countries. Articles in the special Prisoners for Peace Day 2002 issue of WRI's newsletter, The Broken Rifle (11/02) focus on two regions that normally do not receive much attention from the peace movement, or from the public in general: the Caucasus and Central Asia. "None of the countries can be termed a proper democracy, and none of the countries meets international standards regarding conscientious objection."

War Resisters' International and its member organizations call on everyone to support the 2002 prisoners for peace by sending greeting cards and letters to prisoners. The Prisoners for Peace Honor Roll is available online at www.wri-irg.org, or by request from War Resisters' International, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, England, or the War Resisters League, 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012.