OCTOBER • Connection e.V. reports to the UN OHCHR on intolerance and discrimination against conscientious objectors to m
27th December 2025
«Connection e.V.» prepared a thematic submission to contribute to the thematic report of the Office of the Hugh Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to the UN Human Rights Council on «Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief» which will be presented at the UN in Geneva in March 2026.
On April 4th 2025, the UN Human Rights Council adopted resolution A/HRC/RES/58/29 on «Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief», requesting «the High Commissioner to prepare and submit to the Human Rights Council at its sixtyfirst session a comprehensive follow—up report with elaborated conclusions based upon information provided by States on the efforts and measures taken for the implementation of the action plan outlined in paragraphs 7 and 8 above, and views on potential follow—up measures for further improvement of the implementation of that plan».
«Connection e.V.» prepared a submission focused on the specific aspects related to conscientious objection to military service.
According to the Human Rights Committee:
«The right to conscientious objection to military service inheres in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It entitles any individual to an exemption from compulsory military service if this cannot be reconciled with that individual’s religion or beliefs. The right must not be impaired by coercion. A State may, if it wishes, compel the objector to undertake a civilian alternative to military service, outside the military sphere and not under military command. The alternative service must not be of a punitive nature. It must be a real service to the community and compatible with respect for human rights.»
⸻ the first part of this contribution provides examples, both of previous years as well as recent ones, about «intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons» in the case of conscientious objectors to military service;
⸻ the second part of this contribution presents recommendations, elaborating on suggested measures to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against conscientious objectors to military service.
The report presents as well suggested measures to combat intolerance and discrimination against conscientious objectors.
Recommendations to member states:
I. Recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service according to international human rights law and standards
The overarching and most fundamental measure in order to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against conscientious objectors to military service is to adopt legislation recognising the right to conscientious objection to military service according to international human rights law and standards.
⸻ states which do not have such legislation yet should promptly introduce it;
⸻ states which already provide for conscientious objection to military service should review their laws and practices to ensure that they are compatible with current international human rights standards (A/HRC/41/23, para. 60; A/HRC/50/43, para. 57; A/HRC/56/30, paras. 54—58) and that they do not discriminate.
In this regard, special attention should be given to the following specific standards:
⸻ non—discrimination on the basis of the grounds for conscientious objection and between groups of conscientious objectors ⸻ A/HRC/41/23 (para. 60e);
⸻ recognition of selective conscientious objection ⸻ A/HRC/41/23 (para. 60d);
⸻ non—punitive conditions and duration of alternative service ⸻ A/HRC/41/23 (para. 60l);
⸻ states should neither discriminate against conscientious objectors in relation to their civil, cultural, economic, political or social rights nor stigmatize them as «traitors» ⸻ A/HRC/41/23 (para. 60m);
⸻ criminal records of conscientious objectors should be expunged ⸻ A/HRC/41/23 (para. 60m).
It is also worth considering that in the recent relevant report about «Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief» of the Secretary General it is noted that:
«The non—governmental organization Conscience and Peace Tax International noted that following best practice regarding the recognition of conscientious objection was also an effective way of countering intolerance and stigmatization of members of religious or belief communities.»
A/80/287 ↷ (para. 39)
II. Protection of personal data
In Human Rights Council Resolution 58/29 States are called, inter alia, «to foster religious freedom and pluralism by promoting the ability of members of all religious communities to manifest their religion and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society».
A/HRC/RES/58/29 ↷ (para. 8b)
Indeed, this is fundamental. Nevertheless, under current circumstances it is also useful to protect personal data of certain persons, such as conscientious objectors to military service, and not to force them to reveal their religion or beliefs, which would make them vulnerable to intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence.
In this regard:
⸻ the personal information of conscientious objectors should not be disclosed publicly by the State ⸻ A/HRC/41/23 (para. 60e);
⸻ consideration should be given to accepting claims of conscientious objection to military service as valid without inquiry, so that conscientious objectors are not forced to reveal their religion or belief ⸻ A/HRC/50/43 (para. 57h).
III. Training of State officials
In Resolution 58/29 States are called to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance, peace and respect by, inter alia, encouraging the training of government officials in effective outreach strategies.
A/HRC/RES/58/29 ↷ (para. 7c)
States should also provide adequate training and education to all relevant State officials about the right to conscientious objection to military service according to international human rights law and standards. Such training should be provided, inter alia, to: the military, police, government officials, lawmakers, prosecutors and judges, members of the bodies examining applications for conscientious objector status, officials of institutions where conscientious objectors perform alternative service and other public employees, as well as officials examining applications for asylum / international protection.
As for the latter, training should include the UNHCR Guidelines No. 10.
UNHCR, Guidelines on International Protection No. 10, HCR/GIP/13/10/Corr. 1 ↷
IV. Public information and awareness—building
Apart from State officials, it is also important to provide information and awareness—building for the public.
In Resolution 58/29 States are called to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance, peace and respect by, inter alia:
« […] (g) Understanding the need to combat denigration and negative religious stereotyping of persons and incitement to religious hatred by strategizing and harmonizing actions at the local, national, regional and international levels through, inter alia, education and awareness-building […]».
A/HRC/RES/58/29 ↷ (para. 7g)
In this context, States should undertake public education and awareness—building initiatives to enhance knowledge of, and understanding about, the right to conscientious objection to military service.
V. Adoption of effective measures to ensure that public functionaries, in the conduct of their public duties, do not discriminate against conscientious objectors to military service on the basis of religion or belief (and/or other status)
In Resolution 58/29 States are called, inter alia, to take effective measures to ensure that public functionaries, in the conduct of their public duties, do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of religion or belief.
A/HRC/RES/58/29 ↷ (para. 8a)
In this context, States should take effective measures to ensure that public functionaries, in the conduct of their public duties, do not discriminate against conscientious objectors to military service on the basis of religion or belief (and/or other status).
VI. Adoption of measures to criminalise incitement to violence and violence
In Resolution 58/29 States are called to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance, peace and respect by, inter alia:
« […] (f) Adopting measures to criminalize incitement to imminent violence on the basis of religion or belief […]».
A/HRC/RES/58/29 ↷ (para. 7f)
In this regard, States should ensure that criminalization of incitement to imminent violence on the basis of religion or belief should include incitement to violence against conscientious objectors to military service.
States should also take measures for prompt, impartial and thorough investigation of any alleged acts of incitement to violence and violence against conscientious objectors to military service, by any State or non—state actors.
Keywords: ⇒ Conscientious Objection ⇒ Discrimination ⇒ United Nations