The International Fellowship of Reconciliation participated in the Interactive dialogue which took place at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council on the occasion of the oral update of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Madam Michelle Bachelet, regarding the situation of human rights in Ukraine.
The High Commissioner presented the dramatic situation following Russia's military aggression with the bombing of many civilian targets such as schools, residential areas and hospitals.
Many member states took the floor to condemn the military aggression of Russia and several NGOs spoke about the concerning local situation.
IFOR addressed the plenary expressing its solidarity to the people of Ukraine; additionally it deplored war which is never a conflict resolution and called on the member states to pursue a diplomatic way to peace negotiations.
IFOR stated its concern for those who refuse to kill and are compelled not to leave to ensure total mobilization in the country. It also referred to some cases of pacifists stranded at the border and highlighted that the right to conscientious objection is a non-derogable right.
Human Rights Council, 49th session
Geneva, 30th March 2022
Item 10: Interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on Ukraine Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Mr. President,
International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) thanks the High Commissioner and her office for the oral presentation on Ukraine.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine at this dramatic time of armed conflict.
War should be abolished because it is never a conflict resolution, neither in Ukraine neither in other countries. Member States should pursue with all efforts a diplomatic way to peace negotiations.
As stated several times, freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a non-derogable right and, as is freedom of expression, it continues to apply in situations of armed conflict.
IFOR is concerned about the violation of the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine where males 18/60 years old are currently compelled not to leave the country in order to enforce total military mobilization.1 Summons to mandatory military service are handed over to men trying to cross border2. The order was enacted not by the law but by letters of Administration of the State Border Guard Service.3
It results that the above prohibition has no exceptions for conscientious objectors to military service. Sasha and Nikita, for instance, are two young pacifists who don't want to fight and are now stranded in Lviv as internally displaced persons.4
Likewise, we have been informed that exception for leaders of churches and religious organizations was not included in the Ukrainian Law "On mobilization training and mobilization".5
Furthermore, we heard news that the Ukrainian military attempts to recruit foreign nationals6trying to leave the country and rejected at the border due to racism and discrimination.7
IFOR joins the UNHCR calls to Ukraine for “compassionate and humane” approach to the enforcement of martial law.8
Thank you.
