Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Ukraines Supreme Court: Religious belief does not exempt citizens from military service during wartime

(01.05.2025) Ukraine’s Supreme Court ruled that citizens cannot refuse military service during wartime based on religious beliefs, emphasizing that the obligation to defend the nation applies to all Ukrainians during Russia’s full-scale invasion, the court’s press office said on May 1.

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.

Belarus - Conscientious objection to military service and related issues

Connection e.V. reports to the UN Human Rights Council to UPR (50th session)

(March 2025) The right to conscientious objection to military service is not yet fully implemented. We also reported on the persecution of human rights defenders.

Eritrea - Conscientious objction to military service and related issues

Connection e.V. reports to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea

(February 2025) We submitted a report to the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Mr. Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, to inform the report of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea to the 59th session of the human rights council.