This document, lays out the ways in which conscientious objection has been recognized and is protected under human rights treaties and mechanisms, taking into account developments in international standards that have occurred since 2011.

A German translation of a 2014 version of the document featured in Connection eV (beginning on page 23) is also available below.

There is a growing debate about intellectual property rights, food, farming, biodiversity, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and other agreements. This paper aims to draw on the various perspectives presented in the body of literature informing debate to: