Joint statement on the protection of Russian and Belarusian conscientious objectors in the EU

The Ukrainian refugee M. threatens extradition to Ukraine. There, despite his refusal, he has to fear being called into the military. According to the BGH, no reason for extradition. Even under German law, conscientious objectors are expected to be drafted. In 2023, the Ukrainian law enforcement authorities requested the extradition of a Ukrainian who fled to Germany. He is accused of insulting and attacking a police officer in 2018. In the even…

Joint statement on the protection of Russian and Belarusian conscientious objectors in the EU

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.  With very few exceptions, Russians refusing to fight in Ukraine are finding it impossible to get humanitarian visas from EU Member…