Conscientious objectors should be obliged to make the same sacrifices as conscripted soldiers

The leader of one nation to another: "You should, like, chill out, man. Instead of invading my country, why not light an ethically-sourced soy-wax scented candle, make a nice cup of organic Fairtrade jasmine tea and attain inner peace through holistic meditation? Because killing people is like wrong, you know, and war is like really bad and that." I think we can all sympathise with the appeal from a pacifist head of state to an evil, psychopathic tyrant to stop his warmongering ways and get in touch his feminine side though the medium of spiritual healing but, unfortunately, more often than not, the ruthless dictator in question will ignore such an entreaty and will instead order his amassed armies to cross the border and advance on his enemy's capital with strict instructions to mercilessly crush all resistance en route. In such a scenario, even the most peace-loving president would have no option but to mobilise his armed forces and immediately compel all men of fighting age to enlist for military service. However, there will be some men who refuse to fight on either moral or religious grounds. They are known as conscientious objectors (CO's) and their status is recognised by the United Nations. http://www.wri-irg.org... However, a prospective CO cannot just turn round to a recruiting sergeant and say "I love my country as much as the next man, but I'm ethically opposed to physical violence so, if it's all the same to you, I'll just go home, open a can of beer and watch the action live on CNN." That's because his fellow countrymen are expected to take up arms and, if necessary, make the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their nation. In view of this, applicants for CO status must convince the recruiting sergeant that their beliefs are sincerely held. Therefore, as part of a rigorous interview, I propose that the applicant for CO status should be asked the following key question: "Are you prepared to die for your country?" Now, if the answer is ‘No' then the recruiting sergeant will know that the applicant is a merely a coward and should reject his application for CO status, give him a uniform and a rifle and pack him off to the front. However, if his answer is ‘Yes' then his application for CO status should granted and his right not to perform military service, even in a non-combat role, should be respected. But he shouldn't be allowed to walk away from his responsibilities just like that. Instead, he should be sent to a secure holding compound located next to a field hospital where he will join other CO's. There, he will be given non-military tasks such as sorting medical waste and washing soiled linen to perform. Then, as and when wounded troops are admitted into the hospital, the doctors will examine their new patients and any human organs that may be required to save those brave soldiers' lives can be harvested from the CO's staying in the nearby compound. That way, the CO's will have made good on their word that they are prepared to die for their country and their families can give them an honourable burial, proud in the knowledge that, just like soldiers killed in battle, their relatives made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their country. Thank you.