Russian Federation

A peace march of mothers of Russian soldiers began at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, Russia, on March 8. The participants offered flowers in front of the memorial to all the victims of the Chechen war. Mothers who had been to Chechnya in attempts to save the lives of their sons read poetry about their experiences. Each marcher then expressed her or his commitment to not use violence, even in self-defense. The Mother's March for Life and Compassion is demanding the immediate end of the war in Chechnya.

On 8 April, a Moscow district court excused conscientious objector Pavel Zverev from military service. Judge Lidiya Sorokina read Article 59 of the constitution aloud in court. She ruled that this constitutional assurance should be upheld, even though there is still no law establishing a structure for civilian service.