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An IDF disciplinary body sentenced 18-year-old Israeli conscientious objector Shahar Schwartz to 10 days in military prison on Monday over his refusal to serve in the army. Schwartz, who graduated from high school this year, was jailed after appearing before the IDF’s conscientious objectors committee where he declared his intention to refuse service due to Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians.

Official data obtained after a legal struggle by an applicant for conscientious objector (CO) status, revealed that the percentage of recognition of those applicants for CO status who cite ideological grounds has fallen to 0% in 2021. Greek authorities have also intensified unacceptable practices against conscientious objectors.

In Ukraine, a trial against Ukrainian journalist, pacifist and conscientious objector Ruslan Kostaba will be held on Tuesday 19 July 2022, simply because he publicly expressed his pacifist views.

On 7 June 2022, the European Court of Human Rights issued an important judgement (Teliatnikov v. Lithuania) in relation to the protection of the right of conscientious objection to military service under Article 9 of the European Human Rights Convention. 

On 17th June, members of WRI affiliate in Australia - Wage Peace - blockaded the facilities of the NIOA bullet manufacturer in Benalla in solidarity with the call by Senior Elders from the aboriginal Yuendumu community for a police ceasefire.

In a webinar on June 22, 2022, refusers Shahar Perets and Eran Aviv will explain their approaches to conscientious objection in Israel and address the importance of conscientious objection to a peace and reconciliation process in the Middle East.

Lockheed Martin is a US company and the world's biggest arms manufacturer, and world's biggest exporter of arms.

On April 17, 2022, Ukrainian pacifists adopted a statement reposted here, together with an interview with Yurii Sheliazhenko, executive secretary of the movement.

Dear conscientious objectors to military service, today we mark our CO day while war is being waged.

As the war with Ukraine began, the notion of refusing military service in Russia has become especially topical. Before the war, most conscripts and their relatives did not associate military service as conscripts with actual warfare. Conscription appeared to be something akin to a sports camp with elements of military training.

The current restrictive recognition practice of German authorities for deserters prevents them from receiving protection here. In order for the resolution of German parliament of April 28, 2022, to take effect, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the BAMF must now immediately change their practices, PRO ASYL and Connection e.V. demand.