Connection e.V. advocates at the OSCE in Warsaw for the right to conscientious objection to military service
Graphic: © OSСE
Between 7th and 16th October 2025, the «Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights» (ODIHR) of the «Organization for Security and Co—operation in Europe» (OSCE) organized the «Conference on the Human Dimension» in Warsaw. It was a ten—day conference with plenary sessions and side events addressing issues from across the OSCE—area. «Connection e.V.» participated in the Conference and advocated there for the right to conscientious objection to military service.
On 16 October, «Connection e.V.» organized a side event on the right to conscientious objection to military service. You can find the event flyer here. The event was co—hosted with the Russian «Movement of Conscientious Objectors» (also known as the «Stoparmy Movement»; Движение сознательных отказчиков) as well as with «Conscientious Objection Watch» (Vicdani Ret İzleme) from Türkiye.
Zaira Zafarana, international advocacy coordinator at «Connection e.V.», presented the international legal framework of the human right to conscientious objection as well as the #ObjectWarCampaign.
Hülya Uçpınar, a human rights lawyer from «Conscientious Objection Watch», presented the situation of Turkish conscientious objectors who are confronted with a so—called «civil death».
Sasza Belik from the «Stoparmy Movement» described the situation of conscripts and conscientious objectors in Russia.
Artem Klyga, Eastern Europe coordinator at «Connection e.V.», explained the concrete work of the organization in supporting conscientious objectors who seek protection in Europe.
On the same day, the plenary of the Conference addressed the topic of «fundamental rights», and Zaira Zafarana took the floor on behalf of «Connection e.V.». She addressed the representatives of the States present in the room and raised the urgency of protecting the right to conscientious objection to military service.
«I am honoured to speak on behalf of "Connection e.V.", an organization that has been advocating for more than 30 years for the rights of conscientious objectors.
As defined by the UN—Human Rights Committee in its General Comment No. 22 [on Article 18] and in subsequent resolutions of the UN—Human Rights Council, the right to conscientious objection to military service is inherent in the human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion [Article 18]. Although this right is universal and non—derogable, it is constantly violated, and hundreds of individuals are persecuted and often forced to seek protection abroad.
For instance, the European Court of Human Rights [ECtHR] has defined the situation of conscientious objectors in Türkiye as "civil death". In Israel, conscientious objectors are subjected to repeated disciplinary punishment in military prisons [accumulating between 90 and 120 days of detention]. In the context of the ongoing war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the forced mobilization in the Russian—occupied territories, refusal to serve may result in punitive fines or detention. Eritrea enforces a de facto indefinite national service.
In the Russian Federation, there is a lack of implementation of the constitutional right to conscientious objection to military service [A/HRC/57/59 (PDF file) ⸻ Recommendations]. This affects military personnel such as contract soldiers attempting to resign, forcibly mobilized men, and reservists.
We strongly reiterate the recommendation of the UN—Special Rapporteur to all Member States at the last session of the Human Rights Council, recalled again today, to "uphold the human rights of Russian citizens in need of protection within their jurisdiction by respecting the principle of non—refoulement with regard to all torture survivors and asylum-seekers from the Russian Federation, in particular human rights defenders, anti-war activists, independent journalists and media professionals, conscientious objectors to military service and individuals who have refused forced mobilization to the war against Ukraine" [A/HRC/60/59 (PDF file) ⸻ Recommendations, paragraph 142].
Many Belarusian conscientious objectors and deserters are seeking protection abroad, and those who have managed to flee the country are at risk of being deported back to Belarus, where they may face criminal prosecution, torture, and long—term imprisonment.
In Ukraine, we have been informed of a de facto suspension of the human right to conscientious objection to military service. We recall the opinion of the Venice—Commission and await a positive outcome of constitutional complaints, including that of Vitalii Alekseienko, who objected on religious grounds.
Many conscientious objectors are also human rights defenders, and many groups and individuals advocating for their rights are often persecuted and discriminated against. We therefore call for their protection, for instance for the human rights defender Yurii Sheliazhenko.
We would also like to recall some of the recommendations of the «OSCE—Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights» listed in the Handbook on Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel [pages 85—86]:
" [...]
⸻ information on the right to conscientious objection to military service and the means of acquiring conscientious objector status should be made available to all persons affected by military service;
⸻ conscientious objection should be available to both conscripts and professional soldiers, both prior to and during military service, in line with the recommendations of international bodies;
⸻ where a state does not accept a declaration of conscientious objection at face value, independent review panels should be established or, where these are not independent, adequate procedural safeguards should be in place;
⸻ conscientious objectors should not be subjected to repeated punishment for failure to perform military service;
⸻ there should be no discrimination against conscientious objectors in relation to their terms or conditions of service, or any economic, social, cultural, civil, or political rights;
⸻ alternative service should be compatible with the reasons for the conscientious objection, be of a non—combatant or civilian nature, be in the public interest, and not be punitive;
⸻ alternative service should be performed under a purely civilian administration, with no involvement by the military authority;
⸻ those performing alternative service should enjoy the same economic and social rights as those undergoing military service.
[...]"
In conclusion, we call on Member States to protect and fully implement the right to conscientious objection to military service, which is inherent in Article 18, and to grant asylum to conscientious objectors who seek protection abroad, in line with the UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection [UNHCR, Guidelines on International Protection No. 10: Claims to refugee status related to military service within the context of Article 1A(2) of the 1951 Convention and/or the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees].«
Download here the full statement delivered by «Connection e.V.» in the plenary of the «OSCE—Conference on the Human Dimension».
The international advocacy coordinator of «Connection e.V.» took the floor following the presentation of the UN—Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova. Artem Klyga, Eastern Europe coordinator at «Connection e.V.», also took the floor to further explain the issue of asylum applications by conscientious objectors.
Photo: © OSCE / Piotr Dziubak
CONFERENCE ON THE HUMAN DIMENSION
The Conference was organized on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the OSCE Helsinki Final Act and was dedicated to the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms across the OSCE—area. It provided a platform to evaluate the implementation of commitments across the 57 OSCE—participating States and offered a forum to exchange views, share good practices, and raise issues for the attention of the international community.
OSCE
The origins of the OSCE date back to the early 1970s, when States began discussing the establishment of a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation, which later developed into the «Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe» (CSCE).
The CSCE was formally established in Helsinki on 3 July 1973 and was attended by 35 States. After two years of negotiations in Helsinki and Geneva, the States agreed on a framework of principles and commitments for all participants ⸻ the Helsinki Final Act, formally signed on 1 August 1975.
ODIHR
The «OSCE—Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights» (ODIHR) works across the OSCE—region to strengthen security by protecting and promoting democracy and human rights.
The ODIHR assists the 57 participating States in implementing their commitments to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promote tolerance throughout the diverse societies of the region.
Keywords: ⇒ Artem Klyga ⇒ Conscientious Objection ⇒ Hülya Uçpınar ⇒ Russia ⇒ Sascha Belik ⇒ Turkey ⇒ Zaira Zafarana