Ukrainian Parliamentary Ombudsman Lubinets, in his annual report, has put forward an important initiative regarding human rights in the context of martial law. He calls for granting the right to alternative, non-military service to individuals who refuse to participate in hostilities due to religious beliefs.
This is stated in his annual report on the state of observance of human rights and freedoms in Ukraine.
Lubinets noted that he had been repeatedly addressed with such an appeal by leaders of such religious organizations as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Religious Center of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Evangelical Baptist Church, and others.
“The issue concerns the violation of the rights of members of religious communities by representatives of the CCK and SP, who refuse to take into account the beliefs of laypeople and clergy of religious organizations whose beliefs do not allow the use of weapons, their arguments in favor of alternative service, and raise the issue of holding believers accountable for evading conscription during mobilization,” Lubinets writes.
Military commissars explain that currently, under the law, religious beliefs do not exempt from combat operations during martial law.
The Commissioner raised the issue with a Verkhovna Rada committee, which is being considered by the government. Lubinets recommends that the Rada amend the law to allow alternative service.
The Parliament, by its resolution, decided to take note of the Ombudsman's recommendations and instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to process them.
Let us remind you that a corresponding petition appeared earlier.
