Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Ukraine: Recruitment offices, military detain, pressure and torture conscientious objectors

(18.10.2024) On 11 June, Recruitment Office officials tortured Adventist conscientious objector Pavlo Halagan to pressure him to accept mobilisation. "They tied me to the bed with chains and began to physically torture, punch and beat me," he complained. On 1 July, at a military camp, "one commander grabbed me by the neck", Baptist conscientious objector Kiril Berestovoi complained. "He hit me on the head, beat me around the heart." The torture lasted half an hour. Officials use psychological pressure, detention (sometimes for several months), deprivation of food, threats, and beatings.

Report to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

(18.10.2024) Connection e.V. prepared and submitted a contribution to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief in preparation of her reporting to the 58^th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2025. That report will be on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

Turkey: Conscientious objector faces vicious cycle of investigations

(17.10.2024) Conscientious objector Şendoğan Yazıcı has been battling a vicious cycle of criminal investigations and lawsuits since making his declaration in 2010. The activist told Gazete Duvar that the state traps objectors in social and legal "limbo."

Six Russian soldiers granted French temporary entry permits after fleeing Ukraine

Organisations assisting deserters hope France’s decision will lead to more soldiers fleeing war

(17.10.2024) Six Russian soldiers who fled the war in Ukraine have been granted temporary entry permits as they apply for political asylum in France, in what human rights activists describe as the first major case of a group of deserters being admitted to a EU country.