Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

What is happening to Conscientious objectors and Deserters from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus?

Webinar 3 Years After the Start of the War in Ukraine

Webinar: Mo., 3rd March 2025, 6pm CET

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qr-w6NxLRsempYiDR8G-Mw

Three years ago, Russia attacked Ukraine, resulting in devastating consequences. Yet, there are also hundreds of thousands of individuals in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine who have refused to participate in the war. What is the state of their right to conscientious objection? What about their protection?

"I believed I would find protection in Europe"

Joint Statement

(14.02.2025) On 16 February 2023, in the resolution ‘One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine’, the EU Parliament demanded that Member States provide protection for conscientious objectors and deserters fleeing Belarus, Russia, and occupied Ukraine. However, this is not guaranteed in most Member States.

Speech at the 90th CEDAW Session on Belarus

(06.02.2025) Honorable Committee Members, As the head of the International Center for Civil Initiatives ’Our House’, I appeal to the CEDAW Committee for Action.

Russian objectors: Two remarkable court rulings raise hope

(03.02.2025) A few days ago, the Berlin Administrative Court issued two rulings granting subsidiary protection to Russian conscripts. By doing so, the Administrative Court challenged a landmark decision issued by the OVG Berlin-Brandenburg in November. "This is a truly remarkable development. It has been recognized that Russian conscripts are indeed at risk of being recruited into the Russian army to fight in the war in Ukraine," explained Rudi Friedrich, Executive Director of Connection e.V., today. "This protection must now be extended to Russian conscientious objectors who can be called up as reservists."