Ukraine

This page lists individuals currently imprisoned for their conscientious objection, peaceful beliefs, or nonviolent actions. These cases highlight the challenges faced by people jailed for exercising their rights, including freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and peaceful expression.

War Resisters’ International, in collaboration with Connection e.V., is organising a side event during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The event will focus on the right to conscientious objection in times of war with contributions of conscientious objectors from Russia, Ukraine and Israel, alongside experts from international organisations.

On the occasion of International Conscientious Objection Day, we are sharing the voices of conscientious objectors from around the world — individuals who have taken a stand against war and militarism by refusing to serve in the armed forces.

On March 3rd Connection e.V and WRI hosted the webinar "Three years after the start of the war in Ukraine" where activists from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine shared how's the current situation in their countries regarding conscription and the situation of Conscientious Objection to military service. The presentations are available to watch and share now.

The Venice Commission has issued a legal opinion affirming that Ukraine cannot compel individuals to carry or use weapons if they refuse military service on grounds of conscience.

Officials took Baptist Serhy Semchuk to prison in Lviv in January for his 5-year jail sentence. The Recruitment Office had told him he could serve in the military without weapons. However, later a criminal case was launched when he refused to take up weapons. "We're in such shock," a church member says. "He doesn't want to kill." Conscientious objectors to mobilisation who were not in the military also increasingly face prosecution on "disobedience" charges, including 6 Jehovah's Witnesses on trial.

In a statement marking the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN emphasized that 2024 saw a concerning increase in the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts.

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? Join us in this discussion with peace activists and campaigners from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. 

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.

The number of new criminal cases against conscientious objectors has surged since summer 2024 after the General Prosecutor's Office wrote to local prosecutors. About 300 conscientious objectors now face criminal investigations which could lead – if cases reach court and end in convictions – to a 3 to 5 year jail term.

The following list includes individuals who have been imprisoned for their nonviolent resistance to war and conscientious objection to military service.

The 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place in Geneva between 18th June and 12th July 2024. During the 56th Session, War Resisters’ International, in collaboration with Connection e.V., has made oral statements on the right to conscientious objection to military service on several occasions.