Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Digest of Movement of Conscientious Objection Russia, August 2023

(25.10.2023) Russian authorities threaten potential conscripts with criminal liability and do not have time to complete the electronic register at military offices. MCO was nominated for a Nobel Prize. Raids on migrants continue to conscript them into war.

Ukraine: Zelensky’s plan has no legal foundation

(07.09.2023) Ukrainian military conscripts who currently reside in the EU are in an uproar. President Zelensky announced that he will submit extradition requests to recruit those who have fled the country and evaded a draft. Due to the European Council Directive 2001/55/EC of July 20, 2001, better known as the “Temporary Protection Directive (TPD)”, all Ukrainian citizens receive temporary humanitarian residences in the European Union at the moment.

Digest of Movement of Conscientious Objection Russia, July 2023

(July 2023) Spring-summer conscription – New laws – MCO helps conscientious objectors – MCO signed a petition

Azerbaijan: Will regime implement alternative service commitment?

(28.04.2020) Ruling party deputy Siyavush Novruzov told parliament on 30 March that an Alternative Service Law should be adopted. Parliament’s Defence Committee is handling this, he told Forum 18. The government has not made public any draft. Azerbaijan committed to the Council of Europe to have alternative service by 2003 but failed to meet its obligation. Jehovah’s Witnesses say criminal cases against their conscientious objectors are not being pursued.

After pledging in 2001 to the Council of Europe it would have introduced a civilian alternative for those who cannot perform military service on grounds of conscience by January 2003, a senior ruling party politician told Azerbaijan’s parliament, the Milli Mejlis, on 30 March 2020 that an Alternative Service Law should be adopted. The brief remark by parliamentary deputy Siyavush Novruzov was widely reported in the media with no comment. The government has not yet made public any draft law.