Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

What is happening to Conscientious objectors and Deserters from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus?

Webinar 3 Years After the Start of the War in Ukraine

Webinar: Mo., 3rd March 2025, 6pm CET

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qr-w6NxLRsempYiDR8G-Mw

Three years ago, Russia attacked Ukraine, resulting in devastating consequences. Yet, there are also hundreds of thousands of individuals in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine who have refused to participate in the war. What is the state of their right to conscientious objection? What about their protection?

Russian objectors: Two remarkable court rulings raise hope

(03.02.2025) A few days ago, the Berlin Administrative Court issued two rulings granting subsidiary protection to Russian conscripts. By doing so, the Administrative Court challenged a landmark decision issued by the OVG Berlin-Brandenburg in November. "This is a truly remarkable development. It has been recognized that Russian conscripts are indeed at risk of being recruited into the Russian army to fight in the war in Ukraine," explained Rudi Friedrich, Executive Director of Connection e.V., today. "This protection must now be extended to Russian conscientious objectors who can be called up as reservists."

Belarusian conscientious objector has won a decisive court case in Lithuania

(04.12.2024) Dear friends,

Today, I am thrilled to share some excellent news: a Belarusian conscientious objector, Vitaly Dvarashin, has won a decisive court case in Lithuania, overturning a deportation order.

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.