Report concerning the situation of the right to conscientious objection in Bolivia

UN Univeral Periodic Review

(18.07.2024) Connection e.V. has prepared and submitted to the UN a country based report in preparation of the upcoming 48th session of the Universal Periodic Review of the State of Bolivia. The formal session will take place at the UN in Geneva in November 2024.

The Universal Periodic Review is a State-driven process, which provides the opportunity for each State to present what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situation in their country and to fulfil their human rights obligations; the State under review will also report on the implementation of the previously accepted recommendations. UN Member States have the possibility to ask questions and make recommendations to the State under review. The UPR Working Group consists of the 47 members of the Council, however any member state can take part in the discussion.

The review is based on information provided by the interested State, independent human rights experts and other stakeholders such as NGOs. NGOs reports and proposed recommendations can be referred to by any of the States taking part in the interactive discussion during the review; it is therefore of vital importance to engage at the UPR and address specific issues which can be therefore part of the dialogue with the country under review.

Connection e.V. focuses in particular on issues related to conscientious objection and to the militarization of society. The right to refuse to kill, although it is a human right, thus universal and non-derogable, it is not recognized in all countries and many objectors are persecuted.

On this occasion, Connection has prepared a report concerning the situation of this right in Bolivia where, unfortunately, there are no legal provisions for the full recognition of this right and consequently for the application to an alternative civilian service. It is also of particular concern the involvement of underage people in military programs and trainings. Similarly to other countries, in Bolivia it is registered the discriminatory issue of the Libreta militar which is a requisite for the job market and the full exercising of other social and economic rights. You can read the full report in Spanish here: UPR by Connection e.V. as pdf-file

Connection has also addressed specific recommendations to the concerned country:

1. Recognise and legally implement the right to conscientious objection to military service and provide for an alternative service of a civilian nature.

2. Promote information campaigns on the right to conscientious objection in educational institutions aimed at young people and also more generally for the benefit of the population potentially involved in military service.

3. Align its domestic legislation on military service with international standards and eliminate forms of military recruitment that include military education and instruction for minors and, therefore, voluntary military and pre-military service for minors. 

4. Reform or abolish the Libreta militar requirement, because this document currently restricts access to fundamental rights, including social and economic rights, for young people and citizens in general in Bolivia, generating discrimination and violating the principle of equality.

This thematic work of Connection e.V. is currently funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT), a grant-making Quaker trust. Among the main objectives of the funded project there are the thematic research work and redaction of country-based reports to be submitted to the UN for the regular State reviews on the situation of human rights, accompanied with related advocacy initiatives.

Connection e.V.: UN Univeral Periodic Review on Bolivia, July 2024.

Keywords:    ⇒ Bolivia   ⇒ Conscientious Objection   ⇒ Human Rights   ⇒ International Resolutions   ⇒ Pazifism   ⇒ Peace Movement   ⇒ War