Municipal deputies and human rights activists demanded that the authorities ensure compliance with the right to replace military service with civilian

Current and former municipal deputies and human rights activists demanded that the Russian authorities provide residents of the country with the constitutionally guaranteed right to refuse military service for religious and ethical reasons. The letter was posted on the website of the “Spring” movement.

The authors of the letter note that although the right to alternative civil service is enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation, over the past year there have been regularly recorded cases of refusals by military registration and enlistment offices to replace military service with an alternative one. And those military personnel who try to protect their rights are subject to criminal prosecution under the article of failure to comply with an order.

In addition, it is known from media publications that at least 13 illegal prisons were organized in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, where more than 600 Russian conscientious objectors are being held by force, through threats and torture, and without a court decision. Investigative authorities do not respond to complaints from relatives and human rights activists.

The signatories demanded that the State Duma reform legislation so that “the right to conscientious objection to military service is clearly protected by law at all levels” for all military personnel and conscripts, and also conduct a parliamentary investigation into the unlawful prosecution of those who refuse to serve. The authors of the letter also demanded that the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office investigate violations by military commissars.

The appeal was signed by more than 60 current and former municipal deputies from various regions of Russia, about a dozen human rights and social movements, as well as FBK director Ivan Zhdanov, politician Maxim Kats and others.

“Medusa” in Russia is now not only a “foreign agent”, but also an “undesirable” organization. This status is much worse than before. Nevertheless, we continue to work. We can still be read. It is safe. Here are all the answers to troubling questions.

• After the start of mobilization in the fall of 2022, the Russian authorities claimed that alternative service was not provided for during mobilization. In fact, this is not true. Meduza did a detailed analysis of the relevant provisions of the legislation.