Russian conscientious objector demands asylum rights for those refusing to fight in Ukraine

Conscientious Objectors memorial in Tavistock Square yesterday - covered in names of COs from around the world after yesterday's service

Source: Pax Christi

Yesterday, on International Conscientious Objectors' Day, a Russian conscientious objector (CO) is calling on the UK and other European countries to grant asylum to those who refuse to fight in the war against Ukraine.

Speaking out despite personal risk, the Russian CO has condemned the ongoing persecution of war resisters in Russia, and called for a future built on peaceful dialogue rather than militarism and oppression.

Having escaped Russia whilst on leave from mandatory military service, the CO - whose identity is withheld for security reasons - now lives in Georgia, one of the few places where Russian nationals can seek refuge from state repression.

In a public statement released today, he urged European governments to act in line with human rights and democratic values: "European countries must uphold their commitment to human rights by granting asylum to conscientious objectors who refuse to participate in an unjust war, in the bloody Russian invasion of Ukraine. Protecting those who stand against violence is a moral and legal obligation that reflects the core values of democracy and peace."

British peace campaigners have welcomed the Russian CO's call, pledging solidarity with conscientious objectors worldwide and backing the Object War Campaign, an international coalition of peace groups pressing for asylum rights for COs.

His message is one of many being heard globally today from those refusing to fight and kill in the military. It echoes other statements made by conscientious objectors in Ukraine, Israel, Turkey, Thailand and other countries where conscription is in force, which have been shared with UK peace groups in advance of International Conscientious Objectors' Day (CO Day).

A Ukrainian war resister, who has also managed to leave his country rather than be conscripted, has spoken up for the rights of conscientious objectors: "There must be people who are in favour of peace. There are plenty of people who are in favour of war and defend the need for weapons. But there must be people who strive to have conversations and dialogues even for the day after the war is over... It's obvious how ruinous it is for a society to be forced into military service."

In both Russia and Ukraine, COs have been imprisoned for taking a stand against the war. Russian COs face up to ten years in prison, and large numbers have reportedly been detained without trial, facing appalling conditions and threats of torture and execution.

In Israel, a group of high school students have recently pledged to refuse conscription, backing the growing movement of COs against the war in Gaza: "There is no military solution - there never will be. We refuse to take part in the front lines, in the medical corps, in intelligence and also in the office. We refuse to be a cog in the machine that fuels bloodshed, and instead, we will create a reality of justice, freedom and equality, which we know is possible."

These and other statements by COs will be read out today at the UK's National Ceremony for CO Day in London. The ceremony has been organised by a coalition of thirteen peace organisations in the UK.

Geoff Tibbs from the Peace Pledge Union, one of the participating organisations, said: "Rather than ramping up military spending and sending more and more weapons to Israel and Ukraine, the UK government should be doing what it can to support those on all sides who are seeking nonviolent solutions. This includes conscientious objectors, whose courageous stand puts them at risk of imprisonment and persecution. The government should recognise their right to asylum and welcome them here in the UK."

The Peace Pledge Union (PPU), a longstanding British pacifist organisation, has repeatedly called on the UK government to provide asylum to COs from Russia and other countries. As the British section of War Resisters' International, the PPU works alongside the Movement of Conscientious Objectors in Russia as well as the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement to support COs.

The Russian CO, who is among the many thousands to have fled to surrounding countries since the invasion of Ukraine, added: "I am now dedicated to ending this unjust war and working toward a future where Russians can live freely and happily, without fear or oppression. I feel a profound empathy for those still trapped in Russia, forced to surrender their moral beliefs just to survive. My hope is for a future where such choices are no longer necessary."

(Events to mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day took place across the UK and internationally yesterday - further reports coming soon.)