War Resisters' International promotes nonviolent resistance to war and militarism, uniting pacifist activists across the globe since its founding in 1921.
War Resisters' International (WRI) was founded in 1921 in Bilthoven, the Netherlands, by a group of pacifists from across Europe and North America who had witnessed the horrors of World War I. Key figures included conscientious objector Herbert Runham Brown, and other peace activists like Dutch socialist Bart de Ligt and German anti-militarist Helene Stöcker.
The organisation was formed to create a united international response to militarism and the cycle of violence that had gripped Europe. Its founding declaration was clear and uncompromising: "War is a crime against humanity. I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war and to strive for the removal of all causes of war." This principle still guides WRI's global network today.
WRI stands out from other peace organisations through its global reach and non-hierarchical structure. It brings together individuals and affiliated groups from over 40 countries, united by a commitment to nonviolence and antimilitarism. Members include both secular and faith-based organisations, each working locally while supporting international solidarity.
From its earliest days, WRI supported those who refused compulsory military service, whether they were conscientious objectors imprisoned in Europe or draft resisters in colonial territories. Over time, its scope expanded to include campaigns against the arms trade, military occupations, and the militarisation of society.
Today, WRI continues to support conscientious objectors around the world—especially in countries where refusing to serve in the military can lead to imprisonment, discrimination, or exile. WRI offers legal resources, advocacy, and international visibility to these individuals and their causes.
Beyond objection to military service, WRI campaigns against military spending, the global arms trade, and the militarisation of policing. It also works to resist military influence in education and media, while promoting alternatives such as community-based security and peaceful conflict resolution.
WRI is well known for its educational materials and activist toolkits. Its "Handbook for Nonviolent Campaigns" has become a widely used guide for grassroots organisers, and its "Broken Rifle" newsletter offers regular updates on anti-war efforts and the challenges faced by peace activists worldwide.
The organisation also organises international conferences and training sessions, where activists share skills and build transnational campaigns. Its digital resources are accessible in multiple languages to foster inclusive dialogue and collaboration across cultural and political borders.
The broken rifle has been the emblem of War Resisters' International since its early years. Simple and striking, the symbol captures the heart of WRI’s philosophy: a clear rejection of violence and militarism. It was first used by European conscientious objectors in the early 20th century and quickly adopted by the wider pacifist movement as a universal anti-war symbol.
Today, the broken rifle remains a unifying image for nonviolent resistance worldwide. It represents the courage to say no to war, the refusal to kill, and the creative power of peace activism. WRI continues to use the symbol in its publications, campaigns, and materials — reminding both activists and the public of its unwavering commitment to disarmament and justice.
More than a century after its founding, War Resisters' International remains a vital hub for global peace activism. As wars persist and new forms of militarism arise, WRI continues to advocate for a world built on nonviolence, justice, and mutual respect.
From the prison cells of conscientious objectors to the streets of anti-war protests, WRI's message is consistent and clear: war is not the answer, and ordinary people can make a stand for peace through action, courage, and solidarity.
War Resisters' International badges & campaigns and War Resisters' International website (opens in a new tab).