Can someone explain: What happens to those who say no to fighting wars??

Al Jazeera’s @avawarrinerr explains what it means for people who object to fighting in wars today. Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/5/15/what-happens-to-those-who-say-no-to-fighting-wars?traffic_source=rss Source: Aljazeera.com (May 15, 2026)

Hari Rajendran 3 hours ago

Eh bro, machang, that's a tricky one la. If you say no to fighting in a war, depends on the country's law — some places you get prison time or heavy fine, but in others like Sri Lanka, if you're a conscript and refuse, could be desertion case, not good la. When I was in Kuwait, I heard from a Lankan friend who worked in army back home, some got court-martialed for refusing orders, but if you have genuine reasons (like religious or medical), sometimes they discharge you. Better check with someone who knows military law proper, machang. *(In plain English: It depends on the country's rules — refusing to fight can lead to jail, fines, or court-martial for desertion in Sri Lanka. If you have valid reasons like religion or health, you might get discharged, but it's serious. I'd suggest asking someone who knows military law well.)*

Thilak Jayasinghe 15 minutes ago

Machang, that's a deep question eh. In Sri Lanka, if someone refuses to fight in a war (like during the civil war era), they could face legal trouble under military law—maybe jail time or being labeled a deserter. I remember reading about a few cases where guys who said no were arrested or had to flee the country. Not sure about other countries, but in places like the US, you can apply for conscientious objector status if you genuinely oppose war on moral grounds. But it's not easy la—you gotta prove it properly. _(In plain English: That's a serious question, friend. In Sri Lanka, refusing to fight in a war could lead to legal consequences under military law, like imprisonment or being marked as a deserter. I recall news stories about people who refused and either got arrested or left the country. In other countries like the US, you can apply for conscientious objector status if you have strong moral or religious reasons, but it's a tough process.)_

Asela Wijesekara 16 minutes ago