Belarus - Conscientious objection to military service and related issues

Connection e.V. reports to the UN Human Rights Council to UPR (50th session)

by Connection e.V.

(March 2025) The right to conscientious objection to military service is not yet fully implemented. The alternative service continues to be 36 months or 24 months for graduates, while the military service continues to be 18 months or 12 months for graduates, meaning that the length of alternative service continues to be double the length of military service. Furthermore: “Only a limited segment of religious men qualifies for alternative civilian service, while many face criminal prosecution for refusing to join the army”. Additionally, there is not recognition of the right to object for professional soldiers and for reservists.

Download: www.Connection-eV.org/ohchr/50th_UPR-Belarus_EN-Connection.pdf

We also reported on the persecution of human rights defenders such as Olga Karatch who has been advocating through Nash Dom also for the human rights of Belarusians who refuse to join the army and often flee the country seeking protection abroad.

Download of Annex: www.Connection-eV.org/ohchr/50th_UPR-Belarus_ANNEX-Connection.pdf

Zaira Zafarana: International News, February till June 2025. 15. Juni 2025. Excerpts.

Keywords:    ⇒ Belarus   ⇒ Conscientious Objection   ⇒ Human Rights   ⇒ Prosecution