Who We Are

CPTI is an international faith- and conscience-based organization focused on "Taxes for Peace Not War," working to uphold the sanctity of conscience and direct public resources away from preparation for war and toward peacebuilding.

Rooted in diverse historic peace traditions, religious communities, and ethical convictions, our work reflects the foundational principle of Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the UN #Faith4Rights framework: that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion are inseparable and non-derogable, protecting theistic, non-theistic, and pacifist convictions equally.

CPTI works through international human rights mechanisms to win legal recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military taxation alongside the right to conscientious objection to military service, including during states of emergency and armed conflict.

CPTI supports and links the work of national and regional peace tax campaigns worldwide.

CPTI supports and links the work of the many national and regional war tax resistance and peace tax campaigns. Visit our Global War Tax Resistance page for more information about the many other organisations around the world.

CPTI is constituted as a company  (Company No. 08514742) under English law and is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

What We Are Doing

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We focus our international advocacy at the United Nations in Geneva, engaging directly with the UN Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Committee, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and UN Special Procedures Mandate Holders. We submit technical legal briefings and country reports examining State compliance with international standards on freedom of conscience, alternative civilian service, and the Right to Peace.

In accordance with UN human rights protection standards and the principle of "do no harm," CPTI also addresses urgent protection concerns regarding conscientious objectors, including those from minority faith traditions or operating under martial law and de facto authorities, through confidential Special Procedures communications and quiet diplomatic channels. Visit our Visit our CPTI State­ments to the United Nations page to read our public submissions.

We also serve as a central point of reference for peace tax initiatives worldwide. Visit our National War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax Campaigns  page to find an organisation near you.

Founded in 1994, CPTI convenes a biennial International Conference and General Assembly. Our 18th International Conference and General Assembly was held in Brussels, Belgium, in September 2026, setting our 2026–2027 strategic advocacy mandate.

How You Can Help

CPTI needs supporters, because the more of us there are, the more we can impress officials in the UN and national governments with our constitu­ency.

• Join CPTI.
  If you are prepared to put some time into the organi­sation you can become a mem­ber. You would be expected to attend the meetings of the General Assembly, usually every two years, or send your proxy. You would share actively in our work and become involved in the General Assembly's decision-making process. Learn more.
• Join Your National Organisation.
  Find your national organisation on our National War Tax Resistance and Peace Tax Campaigns page. If you know about a national organisation that is not listed on that page, please tell us about it.
• Give Practical Support to CPTI.
  If you cannot make a full com­mitment to membership, you may have particular skills which CPTI needs and would value. For instance: interpre­tation, transla­tion, publicity, assisting UN repre­sentatives. More sugges­tions.
• Fund CPTI's Work.
  CPTI relies on contributions from supporters and faith and peace communities to sustain our permanent representation at the United Nations in Geneva, prepare legal submissions to the UN Human Rights Council and Treaty Bodies, and conduct international research on freedom of conscience and peace taxation. Please help us by donating on-line or by other means offered.