«The right to conscientious objection to military service in times of war»...

...side event at the UN with the participation of conscientious objectors from Israel, Russia and Ukraine

15th September 2025

On this day, we held, together with «War Resisters’ International» (WRI) a side event during the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to talk about the right to conscientious objection to military service in times of war.

The right to conscientious objection to military service is a human right and thus is universal and cannot be derogated. The side event presented cases of violations from Israel, Ukraine and Russia.

Among panellists:

⸻ Rachel Brett, consultant at Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO);

⸻ Tal, conscientious objector from Israel ⸻ «Refusers» (מסרבות, Mesarvot; Israel);

⸻ Andrei, conscientious objector from Ukraine ⸻ click here to read his contribution;

⸻ Elisei, conscientious objector from Russia;

⸻ Artem Klyga, Eastern Europe Program Coordinator at «Connection e.V.».

The event has been moderated by Zaira Zafarana, international advocacy coordinator at «Connection e.V.» and it haXXs been well attended by representatives of civil society, UN offices and Member States.

Hosting human rights defenders and conscientious objectors in Geneva is a very important effort to engage in advocacy initiatives with concerned people and offer the opportunity to hear first hand testimonies.

While «Connection e.V.» guests were in Geneva, we had the opportunity to involve them in informal meetings and to experience the UN system participating in the Human Rights Council and networking with other NGOs.

Keywords:    ⇒ Conscientious Objection   ⇒ Israel   ⇒ Russia   ⇒ Ukraine   ⇒ United Nations