Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Country report: Russia

Military Service and Conscientious Objection

(08.10.2023) Military service is compulsory for citizens assigned male at birth in Russia. Since the war in Ukraine, the relevant military laws have been amended several times. In the Russian Federation, the right to conscientious objection exists, so any person can theoretically apply for conscientious objection. However, an application for conscientious objection is only possible until conscription; there is no right to conscientious objection for reservists and former soldiers. An amendment to the military law has made it possible to use alternative service conscripts in the military, too.

Country report: Ukraine

Military Service and Conscientious Objection

(08.10.2023) On March 3, 2022, according to the Parliamentary Press Service, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted the Presidential Decree "On General Mobilization", initiating the general mobilization of Ukraine. During mobilization, military service is compulsory for all citizens assigned male at birth between the ages of 18 and 27, indefinitely. Previously, the duration of military service was limited to 18 months in general and 12 months for students.

Submission to the High Commissioner of the Human Rights Council

Report on Conscientious objection to military service and asylum

(05.10.2023) Dear Sirs and Madams,

We are very grateful for being given the opportunity to hand over a submission to the High Commissioner’s report on “conscientious objection to military service” to the Human Rights Council, under resolution 51/6. As a non-governmental organization assisting conscientious objectors internationally, we have focused our submission on the questions of conscientious objection to military service and asylum, especially given the current war in Ukraine.

Digest from the Movement of Conscientious Objection Russia

October 2023

(October 2023) Hello! Artyom Klyga is with you again with the MCO digest for October 2023. Conscription in Russia started again and police have already detained men even in mosques. Organisations are afraid of receiving updated fines, and therefore they are putting their military records in order. It is a sad case law – the courts believe that the age of discharge from military service after mobilisation is 65 years old, not 50. The MCO sent its proposals and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council for the Universal Periodic Review.