Viewing entries tagged
Ukraine

IFOR briefs the UN Human Rights Committee on the right to conscientious objection in Russia.

Comment

IFOR briefs the UN Human Rights Committee on the right to conscientious objection in Russia.

On October 17th the International Fellowship of Reconciliation participated in the formal briefing at the 136th session of the UN Human Rights Committee.

During the ongoing session, after two postponements, the members of the Committee will review the Russian Federation and formulate Concluding Observations.

Members of the Civil Society have been invited to submit reports in advance and to participate in briefing meetings with the Committee to provide useful information.

IFOR took advantage of the 4 minutes speaking opportunity to report on illegal recruitment, cruel treatment of refusers to combat operations in Ukraine, human rights violations of those protesting against the war and other related issues.

Read the complete text of IFOR's statement here, with in-depth notes.

Comment

IFOR speaks at the UN on conscientious objection violations and peacebuilding efforts in Ukraine

Comment

IFOR speaks at the UN on conscientious objection violations and peacebuilding efforts in Ukraine

During the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Director of Division of the OHCHR gave an oral update on the current situation in Ukraine during the interactive dialogue under item 10.

International Fellowship of Reconciliation participated in the dialogue in the plenary and addressed the violation of the right to conscientious objection to military service in Ukraine, freedom of movement and the alarming forced conscription in the occupied territory and the recent partial mobilization announced in the Russian federation.

IFOR Main representative to the UN, Zaira Zafarana, delivering the statement during the 51st session of the UN HUman Rights Council.

In its statement, IFOR has also expressed its solidarity to the victims and its support to all war resisters -calling for asylum for conscientious objectors who refuse to engage in the war at their personal risk and those who pursue nonviolent means to peace-building. The speech mentioned civil society peace initiatives to support local nonviolent action such as the Stop The War Now launched by Associazione Papa Giovanni XXIII together with many other Italian NGOs, including MIR Italy - Italian branch of IFOR.


Human Rights Council, 51st Session 

4th October 2022 

ID Item 4: Oral update of the High Commissioner on Ukraine 

Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. 

Mr. President,  

International Fellowship of Reconciliation thanks the Office of the High Commissioner for the oral update. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine who are suffering for the ongoing war which is causing tragedies and violations and an inhumane nuclear threat. 

We stand in solidarity with those who courageously refuse to kill and call on the international community to ensure full legal guarantees of their human right to conscientious objection and to provide them protection and asylum1. The right to conscientious objection to military service should be absolutely protected and cannot be restricted, as highlighted in the last OHCHR quadrennial thematic report [presented at the last session].

We are alarmed by the current suspension of the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine, the consequent detention sentences and the travel ban for all men aged 18-60. We have been informed of repression of students protests against the prohibition to study abroad. 

IFOR is also deeply concerned by the forced mobilization in Ukrainian occupied territories and by the new mobilization measures issued by the Russian Federation, which include imprisonment for those who refuse to enlist.  

IFOR gives voice to all those who are non-violently resisting war and acknowledge the efforts of the many who support reconciliation and peace building efforts. For instance, Stop The War Now has just concluded its 4th peace caravan to Ukraine, bringing in humanitarian aid and also support to ongoing local civil society peace initiatives. 

UN Member States should urgently pursue the way to peace negotiations and facilitate such a path, which is within the United Nations purposes. 

Thank you. 


Click here to watch IFOR main representative to deliver the statement at the UN Human Rights Council.

Click here to read the full statement.

Share this post on Social Media!


International peace initiative to support nonviolent action in Ukraine

#STOPTHEWARNOW is a network of over 175 Italian organizations committed to peace building and international solidarity through non-violent peace and humanitarian actions. The network was created to launch a message of solidarity and opposition to the conflict in Ukraine and to build together an alternative to the madness of war. It is coordinated by a steering committee made up of the Pope John XXIII Community, Pro Civitate Christiana and the national networks Focsiv, Aoi, the Italian Peace and Disarmament Network, Libera against mafias, representing all the member associations. At the moment #STOPTHEWARNOW is in Ukraine with two permanent presences, one in Lviv and one in Odessa.
Between 1 and 3 April #STOPTHEWARNOW organized the 1st Peace Caravan, which set off from Italy with representatives of non-violent and pacifist civil society, to witness, through its presence in Lviv, Ukraine, the will to build a dialogue of peace through non-violent actions.
The 4th Peace Caravan was aimed to:
- Laying the foundations for partnership agreements between Italian members of the campaign #StopTheWarNow and Ukrainian civil society organizations (including trade unions) committed to Peace building, conscientious objection and non-violent resistance; possible youth exchanges with universities and Youth Centers;
- Relaunching the campaign of solidarity with conscientious objectors under investigation/protest by the General Prosecutor's Office in Ukraine, such as the journalist Ruslan Kotsaba, accused of high treason for spreading calls to boycott the war.

Learn more about Stop the war now.

-section under update-

Comment

IFOR addresses the UN Human Rights Council on the right to conscientious objection and the war in Ukraine

Comment

IFOR addresses the UN Human Rights Council on the right to conscientious objection and the war in Ukraine

On July 5th, during the interactive dialogue on the situation in Ukraine at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council, IFOR took the floor in the plenary to report on conscientious objectors sentenced in Ukraine for refusing to bear arms and called on UN Member States to contribute to a peaceful setting of the ongoing armed conflict.


Human Rights Council, 50th session 

Geneva, 5th July 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 and mourn with them at this dramatic time of armed conflict. We stand in solidarity with all war resisters and conscientious objectors to military service in Ukraine as well as in Russia  and Belarus and call on the international community to provide them asylum; for instance IFOR sponsored a joint appeal  to European Institutions on this matter1. 

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. The right to conscientious objection to military service should be absolutely protected and  cannot be restricted as highlighted by the quadrennial analytical thematic report by OHCHR presented at this session2. 

IFOR is concerned about the violations of this right in Ukraine where general mobilization to the army is enforced without  any exceptions for conscientious objectors3. Evasion of conscription during mobilization is criminally punishable by  imprisonment from 3 to 5 years4. The pacifist Andrii Kucher and the evangelical Christian, [member of the church "Source  of Life"] Dmytro Kucherov were sentenced by Ukrainian courts for their refusal to bear arms with no respect to their  freedom of conscience5. 

IFOR is also concerned by the forced mobilization of conscripts in Ukrainian territory controlled by Russian affiliated  armed groups6. 

As previously stated7, war should be abolished because it is never a conflict resolution, neither in Ukraine nor in other  countries. UN Member States should urgently pursue a diplomatic way to peace negotiations and facilitate such a path which is within the United Nations purposes. 

Thank you.



Insights on the current warfare in Ukraine.

According to a recent report of UN HRMMU: "OHCHR is concerned that some conscripts forcibly mobilised in territory controlled by Russian affiliated armed groups are being prosecuted by Ukrainian authorities without due regard for applicable combatant immunity"

Learn more here.

If someone hides a Russian deserter in Ukraine (even Ukrainian-born one), that person could be charged by Ukrainian police in collaboration with the aggressor state.

Read more here.

Handing out calls for military mobilization at churches. If you failed to appear on call, you could be sentenced for evasion.

Read more here.


Insights on the individual cases reported in IFOR's statement

Sentence for Kucher Andrii Volodymyrovych

https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/104351558

Case category No.303/2482/22: Criminal cases (from 01.01.2019); Criminal offenses in the

sphere of protection of state secrets, inviolability of state borders, provision of conscription

and mobilization; Evasion of conscription for military service during mobilization, for a

special period, for military service upon conscription of reservists in a special period.

Sent by the court:05/18/2022.

Registered:19.05.2022.

Published:05/20/2022.

Date of entry into force:06/20/2022

Number of court proceedings:1-kp/303/124/22

Number of criminal proceedings in the EDPR:12022071040000275

 

May 18, 2022, Mukachevo

 

Mukachevo City and District Court of Zakarpattia Oblast

 

- in the commission of a criminal offense (crime), provided for in Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine,

 

established:

 

The accused XX on March 13, 2022, being conscripted, arrived at the Mukachevo District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in connection with the announcement by the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 69-2022 of February 24, 2022 of general mobilization and conscription for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On the same day, 13/03/2022, XX, being in the premises of the Mukachevo District Territorial Center for Equipment and Social Support of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine at the address of the city of Mukachevo, str. Dukhnovycha, 89, having been duly notified by the employees of the above-mentioned center about the draft for military service during the general mobilization, as well as about the consequences of refusing to be drafted and undergo military service during the mobilization announced by the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 69-2022 of 24.02. 2022, the latter reliably knowing that in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine No.

64-2022 dated 24.02.2022 “On the introduction of martial law on the territory of Ukraine”, in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, with the aim of evading the draft for mobilization, without valid reasons, acting deliberately, in violation of the requirements of Article 65 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Article 1, 39 3 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service of Ukraine of March 25, 1992 No. 2232-ХІ, Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine “On mobilization training and mobilization”; dated October 21, 1993 No. 3543-ХІ, and Decree of the President of Ukraine “On general mobilization”; dated February 24, 2022 No. 69-2022, being applicable to military service, refused to receive a summons/call to send to the army and undergo military service - under such circumstances, evaded conscription for military service during mobilization in a special period.

Thus, XX committed a criminal offense (crime) provided for in Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine- evasion of conscription for military service during mobilization in a special period.

Accused XX, his guilt in committing the criminal offense (crime) charged against him, provided for in Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine fully admitted and showed that he really acted deliberately, aware of the illegal nature of his actions and their punishment, under the circumstances described in the indictment, evaded

conscription for military service during mobilization in a special period in connection with the fact that pacifist views and does not want to take up arms. He does not repent of what he has done, because it would contradict his views. At the same time, he asks not to punish him strictly and to postpone the execution of the sentence for one year, because he has something to do.

Recognizing that it is inexpedient to investigate other evidence regarding the factual circumstances of the case, which are not contested by anyone in the manner provided for in Art. 349 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, to which the participants of the trial did not object, while clarifying the circumstances regarding the correct understanding of the content of these circumstances by the accused and other participants of the trial, in the absence of doubts about the voluntariness and truthfulness of their positions, explaining to them that in such a case they will be deprived of the right to challenge these factual circumstances of the case in the appeal

procedure, the court limited itself only to the questioning of the accused and the study of such materials of the case that characterize the person of the accused.

Evaluating the evidence collected in the case as a whole, the court comes to the conclusion that the actions of the accused are correctly classified as Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, i.e. evasion of conscription for military service during mobilization in a special period, and his guilt has been proven and fully recognized by him.

When choosing the type and degree of punishment for the accused, the court takes into account the nature and degree of social danger of the criminal offense (crime) committed by him, all the circumstances of the case in their totality, data about the identity of the culprit, guided by the law.

Yes, XX is conscripted, fit for military service due to his state of health, not previously convicted, according to the pre-trial report of the authorized probation body, XX has been registered as an internally displaced person since March 11, 2022 in connection with the introduction of martial law in of Ukraine, he is not registered with a narcologist, psychiatrist or phisiologist, the risk of him committing a repeated criminal offense is “medium”, the risk of danger to society is “medium”.

Circumstances mitigating the punishment of the accused have not been established by the court.

Circumstances aggravating the punishment of the accused have not been established by the court.

Taking into account the above, guided by the principles of humanity, necessity and sufficiency of the punishment to correct the accused and prevent new criminal offenses, the court comes to the conclusion that the correction of the accused is possible without isolation from society and serving the sentence, since such cases under the given circumstances would be excessively severe punishment, and the

accused XX should be punished within the sanction of Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine with the application of the probationary period (Article Ukraine) and imposing on him the obligations provided for in clauses 1, 2, part 1 of Article 76 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

No civil action has been filed in the case.

There are no material evidence and procedural costs.

Guided by: Art.368-374,376 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, the court -

 

DECIDED:

XX, to be found guilty of committing a criminal offense (crime) provided for in Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, imposing a penalty of imprisonment for 4 (four) years.

On the basis of Art. 75 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to release the convicted XX from serving the sentence of probation imposed by this sentence, if he does not commit a new crime within 3 (three) years of the probationary period and fulfills the duties assigned to him, provided for in clauses 1, 2, part 1 of Article 76 of

the Criminal Code of Ukraine, 1) periodically appear for registration with the authorized body on probation; 2) notify the authorized probation authority about a change of place of residence and work.

Preventive measure against XX was not applied.

An appeal against the verdict may be filed with the Zakarpattia Court of Appeals through this court within thirty days from the day of its announcement.

The judgment of the court becomes legally binding after the expiry of the period for filing an appeal, if such an appeal has not been filed. In the event of an appeal, the court’s verdict, if it has not been annulled, becomes legally binding after the decision of the appellate court.

Participants in court proceedings have the right to receive a copy of the verdict in court. A copy of the verdict is delivered to the accused and the prosecutor immediately after its pronouncement.

 

Sentence for Kucherov Dmytro Mykolayovych

https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/104846891

Case category No.398/1551/22: Criminal cases (from 01.01.2019); Criminal offenses in the sphere of protection of state secrets, inviolability of state borders, provision of conscription and mobilization; Evasion of conscription for military service during mobilization, for a special period, for military service upon conscription of reservists in a special period.

Sent by the court:06/21/2022.Registered:06/21/2022.Published:06/22/2022.

Number of court proceedings:1-kp/398/187/22

Number of criminal proceedings in the EDPR:12022121060000535

Case No: 398/1551/22

proceedings No: 1-kp/398/187/22

 

VERDICT

behalf of Ukraine

 

21 June 2022. the city of Oleksandria, the Oleksandria City and District Court of the Kirovohrad region,

 

XX , being conscripted, on April 29, 2022 at about 900:00, arrived at the Oleksandriysky District Territorial Center of Manpower and Social Support of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine at the address: st. Shevchenko, 85, Oleksandria, Kirovohrad Oblast to undergo a medical examination and clarify their credentials.

The employees of the above-mentioned center XX was informed about the conscription for military service during the general mobilization, as well as the consequences of refusing to be called up and undergo military service during the general mobilization, announced by the Decree of the President of Ukraine “On General Mobilization” No. 69-2022 dated 24.02.2022 .

XX, reliably knowing about the general mobilization announced by the Presidential Decree No. 69-2022 of 24.02.2022 “On the introduction of martial law on the territory of Ukraine”, in connection with the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, with the aim of evading the draft for mobilization, acting

deliberately, being aware of his actions, not having the right to postponement, in violation of the requirements of Article 65 of the Constitution of Ukraine, Articles 1, 39 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service of Ukraine of March 25, 1992 No. 2232-XII”, Art.1, Art.22 of the Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Training and Mobilization” dated October 21, 1993 No. 3543-XII, and Decree of the President of Ukraine “On General Mobilization” No. 69-2022 dated February 24, 2022, being recognized as fit for military service in the presence of the employees of the Oleksandriysk District Territorial and a summons to be sent to the army for military service under general mobilization to order command No. : evasion of the draft for mobilization for a special period.

At the court session, XX fully admitted his guilt in committing the specified criminal offense, explained, as indicated above, added that he is a Christian, a member of the Church of God of Ukrpaina “Source of Life”, therefore he refused to be drafted, because he does not want to fight with weapons in his hands.

The testimony of the accused corresponds to the factual circumstances of the case and the charges brought against him, the parties to the criminal proceedings do not dispute them, and therefore, in accordance with part 3 of Art.349 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the study of other evidence in the case was deemed inappropriate at the court hearing.

Thus, the court finds XX guilty of evading the call for mobilization for a special period, and qualifies his actions under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The court imposes a punishment within the limits established in the sanction of the article of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for responsibility for the committed criminal offense, taking into account its degree of severity, the identity of the culprit and the circumstances mitigating and aggravating

the punishment. At the same time, a person who has committed a criminal offense must be given a punishment that is necessary and sufficient for his correction and prevention of new crimes.

Circumstances that in accordance with Art.67 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine aggravates the punishment of the accused XX has not been established.

Circumstances mitigating the punishment of the accused, in accordance with Part 1 Of Art. 66 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, there is sincere remorse and active assistance in solving the crime.

Studying the identity information of the accused XX, the court found that he is being held criminally liable for the first time, he is not registered with a narcologist or a psychiatrist; according to the place of actual residence is characterized positively; according to the information of the Oleksandriysk RV No. 1 of the branch of the

Probation Center of State Administration in the Kirovohrad region, it was established that XX, INFORMATION_1, is not registered in the Oleksandriysk RV No. 1 of the branch of the State Administration of Probation “Center of Probation” in the Kirovohrad region.

From the pre-trial report on the accused XX, drawn up by the Oleksandriyskiy RV No. 1 branch of the State institution “Probation Center” in the Kirovohrad region, it was established that the probation authority assessed the risk of the accused committing a repeated criminal offense as medium, the risk of danger to society, including for individuals persons also as an average. In the opinion of the probation body, correction of XX in the community is possible under the condition of imposing on him the obligations provided for in Clause 1, Clause 2, Part 1 of Art. 76 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

When sentencing the accused, the court is guided by the general principles of sentencing provided for in Art. 65 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and takes into account the degree of gravity of the criminal offense committed by him, data on the identity of the culprit and the circumstances affecting his punishment.

According to Art. Code of Ukraine, a criminal offense provided for in Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is not a serious crime.

Taking into account the data on the identity of the accused, the circumstances that mitigate his punishment, taking into account the sincere remorse of XX and the desire to change his behaviour, preventing further violations of the law, the court came to the conclusion that the given circumstances testify to the possibility of

correction of the accused without isolation from society and serving the sentence, and hence the application to the accused of the provisions of Art. 75 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, however, with the supervision of him by the authorized probation authority at the place of residence during the probationary period, with the imposition of duties provided for in clauses 1, 2, part 1, part 2, part 3 of Art. .76 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Such a punishment is fair and sufficient to achieve the goals of punishment defined in Article 50 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The accused was not given a preventive measure during the trial.

No civil action has been filed.

The fate of physical evidence should be decided in accordance with Art. 100 CCP of Ukraine.

There are no procedural costs in criminal proceedings.

On the basis of the above, guided by Art. Art.349,368-371,373-376 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, the court

 

RESOLVED:

to find XX guilty of the criminal offense provided for in Art. 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and sentence him to 3 (three) years of imprisonment.

On the basis of Art.75, clauses 1, 2, part 1, clause 2, part 3 of Art.76 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to release XX from serving the prescribed sentence, if he does not commit a new criminal offense during the probationary period of 1 (one) year and fulfills the duties assigned to him: periodically appear for registration with the authorized body on probation issues, notify the authorized body on probation issues about changing the place of residence and work, not to leave the borders of Ukraine without the consent of the authorized body on probation issues.

Material evidence: a copy of the journal of the delivery of mobilization orders to conscripts assigned to the team of the Oleksandriy RTCC and SP, an act of refusal to receive a mobilization order, a mobilization order, a summons, an examination card and a medical examination, which are attached to the materials of the criminal

proceedings (resolution on the recognition of physical evidence from 05/25/2022) to be left in the court file.

The court’s verdict can be appealed on the grounds provided for in Article 394 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to the Kropyvnytskyi Court of Appeal within 30 days from the day of its pronouncement.

In the case of an appeal, the verdict, if it has not been cancelled, becomes legally binding after the decision of the appellate court.

Comment

WEBINAR: Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine: 27 May 2022, 17:00-18:30 CEST

Comment

WEBINAR: Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine: 27 May 2022, 17:00-18:30 CEST

Joint web event EBCO, IFOR, WRI


Friday 27 May 2022, 17:00-18:30 CEST (Brussels time)
Conscientious objection in Europe today with focus on the war in Ukraine

Moderator: Semih Sapmaz, War Resisters' International

  1. Presentation of EBCO Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe:

    • Summary of findings: Alexia Tsouni, EBCO President, Association of Conscientious Objectors (Greece)

    • Focus on Turkey: Merve Arkun, EBCO Vice-President, Conscientious Objection Watch (Turkey)

    • EBCO recommendations Zaira Zafarana, International Fellowship of Reconciliation

Q&A

  1. Focus on the war in Ukraine:

    • Resisting war in Ukraine: Yurii Sheliazhenko, Ukrainian Pacifist Movement

    • Opposing war in Russia: Alexander Belik, Russian Movement of Conscientious Objectors

    • Right to asylum for war resisters: Rudi Friedrich, Connection e.V. (Germany)

Q&A

  1. Open discussion & exchange on future actions

 

Please note that you need to register in advance for the event here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_Vt3zH78mTGu19C9N-HswaA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar


Visit and share the Facebook link. 
This is part of the CO Marathon, Read more about it on our webpage!

You can watch the recording on our Youtube Channel.

Comment

IFOR speaks at the UN Human Rights Council on the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine

Comment

IFOR speaks at the UN Human Rights Council on the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine

download (1).png

On December 18th 2020, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR participated in the UN Human Rights Council "Oral presentation of the report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine".

UN Assistant Secretary-General Ilze Brands Kehris, head of the UN Human Rights Office in New York, presented the UN report, followed by statements of member States and NGOs. At this link you can find the OHCHR reporting on Ukraine 

IFOR took the floor and expressed concern regarding the right to conscientious objection in Ukraine and referred to the case of the pacifist journalist, Ruslan Kotsaba, who has already spent 524 days in jail for an anti-war video posted in 2015 and titled "I refuse to mobilize". Here you can watch his video.

He is currently under trial, again, accused of treason and obstructing military operations.

Here you can read the full intervention made by the IFOR's main representative at the UN in Geneva, Zaira Zafarana.


Human Rights Council
Geneva, 18th December 2020
Interactive Dialogue on the oral presentation of the report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.
Oral statement delivered by the International Fellowship of Reconciliation1

International Fellowship of Reconciliation - IFOR thanks the High Commissioner and her office for the report (on the situation of human rights in Ukraine) and expresses concern about the ongoing violations of the right to conscientious objection to military service.

Alternative service in Ukraine has a punitive and discriminatory character and it is hardly accessible. There are information from the ground about the current case of about 24 Pentecostals2 conscientious objectors who are unable to start alternative service because there is not an available employment3.

Another item of concern is Bill 35534, regarding military service and registration, adopted by the parliament in the first reading. It introduces new measures which forecast a negative impact on the rights and freedom of citizens.

IFOR would like, finally, to draw the attention of the Members of this Council and of the High Commissioner to the case of Ukrainian journalist and pacifist Ruslan Kotsaba who is again under trial5 because of a video posted in 2015 to express opposition to the military mobilization for armed conflict in eastern Ukraine6. He has already spent over 500 days under arrest for his expression of anti-war thoughts and is accused again of treason and obstructing military operations.

As already highlighted by IFOR7, “freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a non-derogable right”, alike freedom of expression, (“and it continues to apply regardless of a situation of armed conflict”).


1 According to the meeting participation rules, the statement has been delivered by video-message.
2 In Hoshcha Raion of Rivne Oblast.
3 Employment has to be suitable to the restrictive legal regulations of alternative service.
4 It has been proposed by President of Ukraine and is titled "On the amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine concerning improvement in some aspects of conducting military service and military registration".
5 In Kolomyia City District Court of Ivano-Frankivsk Region. The High Specialized Court on Civil and Criminal Cases in 2017 quashed the acquittal and ordered a retrial. Then several judges and local courts recused from the case; the court ordered to return formal accusation for further investigation, but the order was quashed by the appellate court; and now, judges Kalyniuk, Berkeshuk, and Veselov will examine 58 witnesses of the supposed political impact of Ruslan's video blog and pass their judgment.
6 Ruslan Kotsaba was arrested on 7th February 2015 in Ivano-Frankivsk, 130 km south-east of Lviv, after he posted a video describing the conflict as “the Donbas fratricidal civil war”. He also expressed opposition to military conscription of Ukrainians to take part in the conflict. He was then named as Amnesty International’s first Ukrainian prisoner of conscience in five years. He has already spent 524 days under arrest and was duly acquitted in 2016. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/04/ukraine-suspicious-deaths-need-credible-investigations/
7 Oral statements delivered by IFOR at the 45th session of the Human rights Council, on October 1st, during the ID with the High Commissioner on the findings of OHCHR report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.

You can download this statement here. 


You can watch the registration of the above meeting of the UN Human rights Council here (IFOR intervention is at 1:07:29) 

Comment

Comment

Statement at HRC in Defense of C.O.s in Ukraine

During the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council, IFOR Fellow Martina Lanza delivered the following statement about Ukrainian Conscientious Objectors and the situation facing young men who object to joining the fighting in Ukraine.

IFOR would like to draw the attention to the plight of young men everywhere in Ukraine who do not wish to become embroiled on either side of the ongoing armed conflict.  Some face pressure to join separatist or anti-separatist militias; many more live under the threat of formal conscription into the Government armed forces, which they can avoid only by fleeing the country.

Comment