Article: Regaining My Humanity

On May 21, 2004, 28-year-old Sgt. Camilo Mejia was sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to return to fight in Iraq. Camilo spent six months in combat in Iraq, then returned for a 2-week furlough to the US. There he reflected on what he had seen, including the abuse of prisoners and the killing of civilians. He concluded that the war was illegal and immoral, and decided that he would not return. In March 2004 he turned himself in to the US military and filed an application for conscientious objector status.

He was released from prison on February 15, 2005.

Regaining My Humanity

For more information on Camilo Mejia and others conscientious objectors who have been sent to prison for their beliefs, visit the Free Camilo Web site.