Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Latvia - Conscientious objection to military service and related issues

Connection e.V. reports to the UN Human Rights Committee (144th session)

(May 2025) We reported that the right to conscientious objection to military service is not adequately recognised and implemented by the State party, since there is no genuinely civilian alternative service, the body examining applications is not independent and impartial, and there is no genuine recognition of the right to conscientious objection for professional members of the armed forces.

Ukraine: How should government deal with conscientious objectors in wartime?

(24.04.2025) Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and Ukraine’s immediate declaration of martial law, alternative civilian service has not been available to conscientious objectors in Ukraine. Many conscientious objectors  have been detained and forced to join the army, held illegally (often for months) on military bases, or criminally prosecuted. Jehovah’s Witnesses report that about 661 of their believers faced criminal charges of evading mobilisation in 2024. Courts have handed several conscientious objectors three-year jail terms for refusing mobilisation. Courts have handed others suspended sentences.

Your help is needed - Conscientious objectors need new opportunities and perspectives

(22.04.2025)

Dear,
we  have really good news: Our team at Connection e.V. has been strengthened by Artem Klyga. Artem is a lawyer specializing in military law in Russia and has been living in Germany for two years. He will support conscientious objectors and deserters from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and other countries as part of the #ObjectWarCampaign.

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#RefuseWar everywhere! - Call to action on May 15

International Conscientious Objection Day

(08.04.2025) On May 15, the International Conscientious Objection Day, we want to send out a powerful joint message for peace and the right to refuse to kill. Especially in times of global armed conflict, it is more important than ever to promote public debate on conscription, conscientious objection and alternatives to the military.