Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

"I believed I would find protection in Europe"

Joint Statement

(14.02.2025) On 16 February 2023, in the resolution ‘One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine’, the EU Parliament demanded that Member States provide protection for conscientious objectors and deserters fleeing Belarus, Russia, and occupied Ukraine. However, this is not guaranteed in most Member States.

Clear Demand for Asylum in the Face of a Refusal of Aggressive Warfare

(18.11.2024) Since February 2022, approximately 5,400 Russian men aged between 18 and 45 have applied for asylum in Germany. Only a small fraction of these applications has been granted. These individuals are fleeing an unlawful military deployment and therefore should receive protection against potential persecution.

Ukrainian draftees under pressure

(15.08.2024) A few days ago, the press reported that Ukrainian men of military service age will not be issued travel documents for foreigners. Connection e.V. and PRO ASYL had called for this in May 2024. The Ministry of Social Affairs in the German county Hesse had refused to issue travel documents, stating that it was reasonable to expect those affected to travel to Ukraine to obtain a passport and fulfil their military service obligations. How should this be assessed?

Protection for Belarusian conscientious objectors like Vitali Dvarashyn and Mikita Sviryd

They are under threat of deportation by Lithuania to Belarus

(29.07.2024) Lithuania should protect Belarusian conscientious objectors and deserters, grant adequate legal protection and prevent their deportation!

The undersigned organizations are genuinely concerned by the threat of the Lithuanian authorities to immediately deport the Belarusian conscientious objector Vitali Dvarashyn and deserter Mikita Sviryd to Belarus where they are at risk of persecution, imprisonment, and death penalty. We demand immediate action from the Lithuanian authorities to prevent the deportation of conscientious objectors back to Belarus and grant asylum in Lithuania where they have been seeking protection.