Digest September 2024
Newsletter
(31.10.0204) Hello everyone!
This exact newsletter is brought to you by an unexpected author – Sasha Rakhmanov, MCO’s media manager. Together with team we discussed and decided that I’ll be responsible for these updates starting from October. Since I oversee our social media and external communications, it seemed like a logical step.
I’d like to share some of the latest news from September and our activities in the final month before the draft season begins. September was marked by anxious anticipation surrounding the e-summons registry, its test launch, and then, as expected, its postponement to 2025, despite the president’s demand to have it ready by fall. Here’s a deeper dive into the main events of September:
The e-Summons Registry Website Began Test Operations
The Unified Military Registry website, Реестрповесток.рф, went live in a test mode in three Russian regions: Sakhalin Oblast, Mari El Republic, and Ryazan Oblast. According to media from Sakhalin and Ryazan, the site would be operational for residents in these regions starting from September 15. However, as noted by Radio Liberty, the registry site was unavailable during its first few days.
By September 18, the site was reported operational by various media outlets. Residents of the test regions who have a verified account on the Gosuslugi portal can check for any summonses. The registry records information on military summonses, which will be considered officially delivered seven days after posting in the registry.
Once a summons is issued, a drafter’s right to leave Russia will be automatically suspended. If the draftee fails to report to the military office within 20 days, additional restrictions may apply, including bans on registering as a private entrepreneur or taking out loans.
New School Subject: Basics of Security and Homeland Defense
Starting September 1, 2024, Russian schools replaced the “Basics of Life Safety” (BLS) subject with a new one – “Basics of Security and Homeland Defense” (BSHD). This isn’t just a rebranding but rather a substantial update to the course content.
In BSHD, students will now study 11 thematic modules, one of which is “Basic Military Training.” Looking at the topics within this module, it feels more like a military academy curriculum than a school subject. Topics will include military regulations, drill and tactical training, combat fundamentals, types of weaponry, drone operation, trench-building, and much more. Mandatory training camps, which were part of the BLS since 2010, will remain.
Previously, students who didn’t want to participate in these training camps could submit a refusal letter and get an individualized study plan that excluded military training. However, it’s likely that this will no longer be an option, as these topics are now embedded not only in the training camp curriculum but also in the federal educational standards. One remaining option might be to request homeschooling specifically for this subject. But there is some good news, too!
A Record Number of People are on Alternative Civilian Service (ACS)!
According to Rosstat’s website, there is now a record number of people serving in ACS in the first half of 2024, totaling 2,022 individuals.
Until the war began, this figure remained stable at around 1,200 people per draft cycle. The first year of the war, as per official data, didn’t significantly change this. But in the second half of 2023, it rose to 1,600, and now it’s reached 2,000. Contrary to what some public speakers claim, ACS isn’t just a viable option; it’s an effective one.
Getting into ACS in Russia remains challenging. We’ve seen that draft boards and courts are increasingly denying applications, and while some rulings still go in favor of draftees, these cases are becoming rarer. Military offices view ACS as a threat and do everything possible to reject applications. According to human rights advocates, there are two common grounds for denial. The first is missing the deadline for submitting an application, as defined by law. The second is the draft board’s opinion that the draftee’s beliefs against military service aren’t adequately demonstrated. Both of these denials can be challenged in court.
Many other events took place this month, but we’ll cover those in the next newsletter. Thank you for staying informed, and see you soon!
The Movement of Conscientious Objectors Russia (MCO): Digest September 2024, 30.10.2024.
Keywords: ⇒ Conscientious Objection ⇒ Russia