Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Oral statement given at the Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation

UN Human Rights Council, 57th Session

(24.09.2024) Today at the UN in Geneva on the occasion of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, it took place the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. On this occasion, Connection e.V. together with War Resisters’ International prepared and delivered in the plenary a statement addressing the situation of conscientious objectors, forced recruitment and the employment of conscripts in the war. Connection e.V. and War Resisters’ International reinforce the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation to the international community to “consider granting protection and asylum to conscientious objectors".

2 years after partial mobilisation: still no asylum for Russian conscientious objectors

(20.09.2024) Even two years after the partial mobilisation declared by President Putin on 21 September 2022, Russian conscientious objectors to the war in Ukraine are generally not granted asylum in Germany. Connection e.V. has now received more than a dozen negative decisions from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The main argument is that there is no ‘real risk’ that they will be called up to fight in the war. ‘These are people who have decided against participating in the war of aggression, which is in violation of international law,’ said Rudi Friedrich from Connection e.V. today. ‘Instead of supporting their decision, they are being ordered to return to Russia. In this way, human resources are supplied to the Russian army.’

Human Rights Violations Concerning Mobilization in the Ukrainian Territory

(26.08.2024) Together with its international partner Connection e.V. and local partner Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, WRI expresses serious concern about the violation of the human right to conscientious objection to military service in Ukraine. The organisations are deeply concerned about the ongoing war of aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and the forced mobilization in the occupied territories.

Russia: Deployment of conscripts in the Kursk region

(26.08.2024) Idite Lesom, an organisation that supports deserters from Russia, reports on the situation in the Russian military following the invasion of the Kursk region by Ukrainian troops. The reports are based on a large number of enquiries received by the organisation. On 24 August 2024, Idite Lesom also pointed out that a prisoner exchange of conscripts between Ukraine and Russia had already taken place. This confirms the reports on the use of conscripts in Russia.