Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Greece and Turkey: Connection e.V. reports to the UN Human Rights Committee on conscientious objection

(25.09.2024) Connection e.V. has just submitted two reports to conscientious objection to military service about Greece and Turkey which will be reviewed this coming October by the group of experts of the Committee during the 142^nd session.

2 years after partial mobilisation: still no asylum for Russian conscientious objectors

(20.09.2024) Even two years after the partial mobilisation declared by President Putin on 21 September 2022, Russian conscientious objectors to the war in Ukraine are generally not granted asylum in Germany. Connection e.V. has now received more than a dozen negative decisions from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The main argument is that there is no ‘real risk’ that they will be called up to fight in the war. ‘These are people who have decided against participating in the war of aggression, which is in violation of international law,’ said Rudi Friedrich from Connection e.V. today. ‘Instead of supporting their decision, they are being ordered to return to Russia. In this way, human resources are supplied to the Russian army.’

Oral statement given at the Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation

UN Human Rights Council, 57th Session

(24.09.2024) Today at the UN in Geneva on the occasion of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, it took place the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. On this occasion, Connection e.V. together with War Resisters’ International prepared and delivered in the plenary a statement addressing the situation of conscientious objectors, forced recruitment and the employment of conscripts in the war. Connection e.V. and War Resisters’ International reinforce the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation to the international community to “consider granting protection and asylum to conscientious objectors".

Oral statement delivered during the interactive dialogue with the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus

UN Human Rights Council, 57th Session

(23.09.2024) Today at the UN in Geneva on the occasion of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, it took place the interactive dialogue with the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus. On this occasion, Connection e.V. together with War Resisters’ International prepared and delivered in the plenary a statement addressing the repressions of grass-roots civil society organisations and the stigmatisation and humiliation of conscientious objectors to military service. Connection e.V. and War Resisters’ International urge Belarus to respect the human right to conscientious objection to military service and call on the other Member states to grant asylum to those seeking protection abroad.