Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe urges Turkey to recognize the right of conscientious objection

(07.06.2023) The Deputies in view of the longstanding issues examined in these cases and the lack of progress achieved so far, decided to resume consideration of these cases at their DH meeting in June 2024 at the latest and, in the absence of concrete information allowing for a positive assessment of the general measures, instructed the Secretariat to prepare a draft interim resolution for examination at that meeting.

Nearly 50,000 signatures handed over in Berlin on the International Day of Conscientious Objection

Conscientious objection is a human right. This includes the right to asylum!

(15.05.2023) On this year’s International Day of Conscientious Objection, 30 organizations from Europe called for protection for all those who refuse military service in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. During a festive event, almost 50,000 signatures of the #ObjectWarCampaign collected on the platform WeMove.eu were handed over to the European Commission in Berlin. The presentation of the petition was accompanied by speeches of national and international guests from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, additional actions and music.

EBCO Annual Report 2022/23 on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe

Focus on the courageous conscientious objectors and pacifists in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

(12.05.2023) The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection publishes today its Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe 2022/23, covering the region of Council of Europe (CoE) as well as Russia (former CoE member state) and Belarus (candidate CoE member state).

European Parliament resolution on Russia’s escalation of its war of aggression against Ukraine

(05.10.2022) Condemns the mobilisation in Russia, and calls for an immediate end to involuntary conscription; condemns the measures compelling residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to serve in Russia’s armed or auxiliary forces, which is forbidden under the Fourth Geneva Convention; strongly appeals to all Russian people to avoid being dragged into this war, which violates international law and was therefore condemned by a large majority of countries.