Quakers speak out on COs in Russia and Ukraine
'BYM joins other groups to call on the Russian and Ukrainian governments to respect the rights of conscientious objectors.'
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) is urging UK citizens to ask their MPs to pressure the UK government to uphold conscientious objection in Russia and Ukraine.
The move comes as BYM joins other groups to call on the Russian and Ukrainian governments to respect the rights of conscientious objectors (COs).
The letter, delivered to the Ukrainian and Russian embassies in London on 7 December, condemns Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine, and urges the immediate and unconditional release of COs. International human rights law means the right to conscientious objection cannot be suspended even in times of war, say the signatories, which include Pax Christi and Churches Together in England. Around 20,000 Ukrainian men are reportedly fleeing to avoid military service.
The letter, coordinated by BYM, Fellowship of Reconciliation, and War Resisters International, comes as part of an international week of action in support of COs in the region. Conscientious objection is recognised as an essential component of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights – agreements to which both Ukraine and Russia are party.
‘When Russia invaded in February last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky banned all men aged 18-60 from leaving Ukraine,’ says BYM on the Quakers in Britain website. ‘He also introduced martial law under which the limited right to alternatives to military service disappeared. One conscientious objector has served a prison sentence while nine have been given suspended sentences.’
Meanwhile in Russia evasion and desertion from military service can mean up to ten years in prison, says BYM. ‘At least four conscientious objectors have been jailed for refusing to fight in Ukraine on religious grounds.’
‘Hundreds more Russian soldiers and mobilised civilians who object to participating in the war have been detained in detention centres, where they are reportedly subject to physical and psychological abuse.’
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