SEPTEMBER • Connection e.V. reports to the UN CESCR on the situation of human rights in Russia
26th December 2025
Read the full report on Russia ↷
On 10th September the international advocacy coordinator at «Connection e.V.», Zaira Zafarana, participated in a briefing with the members of the UN Committee on Economical, Social and Cultural rights (CESCR) to highlight some human rights violations related to forced conscription and conscientious objection to military service in the Russian Federation. The country is under review at the 78th session on the CESCR and ahead of the session civil society has the opportunity to provide additional information to the members of the Committee to be used during the review.
«Connection e.V» has been working on this procedure for a couple of months, preparing a comprehensive report on these issues which has been submitted in writing to the Committee in August.
The report raises and describes several issues related to the Russian Federation such as disproportionate forced mobilization and conscription and lack of recognition of the right to conscientious objection for volunteers / professional members of the armed forces. It also address the topic of alternative employment opportunities to the military and the concerning the armaments industry.
The submission focuses on violations of economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the right to freedom from discrimination (art. 2(2)) and the right to work (art. 6), as well as, consequently, other affected rights, such as the right to take part in cultural life (art. 15) or the widest possible protection and assistance to the family (art. 10), in the context of military service, forced mobilisation and conscription, as well as alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors to military service.
«Connection e.V.» also suggested the following recommendations:
⸻ cease immediately any forced mobilisation and conscription and take measures to combat disproportionate or discriminatory mobilisation and conscription of members of Indigenous peoples, minorities or groups of particular social origin or status in the State party;
⸻ cease immediately any mobilisation and conscription in other territories under the State party’s effective control;
⸻ recognise in law and ensure in practice the right to conscientious objection to military service, including selective conscientious objection, for volunteers/professional members of the armed forces; release unconditionally all those who have developed conscientious objection to military service, without any punishment, including costs / fees;
⸻ take measures to ensure alternative employment opportunities to the military and the armaments industry;
⸻ ensure that any fees / costs to be repaid on early termination of service in the armed forces (unrelated to conscientious objection) are proportionate;
⸻ reduce the length of the alternative civilian service, in absolute terms and in comparison to that of military service, so that it does not conflict with the obligations enshrined in the Covenant (art. 2(2), 6, 10, 15).
Keywords: ⇒ Conscientious Objection ⇒ Russia