EBCO in the European Parliament public hearing on conscientious objection as a human right and in particular, Russian conscientious objectors

EBCO PRESS RELEASE

EBCO in the European Parliament public hearing on conscientious objection as a human right and in particular, Russian conscientious objectors

Brussels, 1 March 2023

Sam Biesemans, Vice-President of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) will participate as speaker to the European Parliament public hearing devoted to conscientious objection as a human right and in particular Russian conscientious objectors, organised by the Subcommittee on Human Rights on Thursday, March 2^nd, from 10.15 until 11.30 (Brussels time).

Sam Biesemans will present briefly the joint international #ObjectWarCampaign: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine: Protection and asylum for deserters and conscientious objectors to military service (https://ebco-beoc.org/node/545).

The public hearing aims to highlight how the human right to conscientious objection to military service must be enforced in all countries, including those at war, and how the EU could grant conscientious objectors further protection.

Topics to be discussed are applicable international standards and jurisprudence relating to conscientious objection to military service, and current trends regarding respect for and violations of the right to conscientious objection. During the hearing, the situation of Russian conscientious objectors will be given special attention.

The event will be webstreamed in 7 languages via the website of the European Parliament:

https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/droi-committee-meeting_20230302-0900-COMMITTEE-DROI

More info and final programme: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/conscientious-objection-as-a-human-right/product-details/20230221CAN68896

Visual Hearing on Conscientious Objection.jpg © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights

Hearing: Conscientious objection as a human right and in particular, Russian conscientious objectors

Brussels, 2 March 2023

10.15-11.30

Room - SPAAK 4B001

DRAFT PROGRAMME

10.15 Introductory remarks

· Udo Bullmann, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights

10.20 Presentations

· Michael Wiener, Human Rights officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

· Sam Biesemans, Vice-President, European Bureau for Conscientious Objection

· Sergey Krivenko, Member of the Board of "Memorial International" and head of the Russian NGO "Grazhdanin, armia, pravo" ("Citizen, Army, Law")

· Saša Belik, Advocacy officer, Sphere Foundation

· Milana Shesterikova, Head of International Office, Russian Youth Democratic Movement “Vesna”

· Kanstantsin Staradubets, External communication manager, Human Rights Center “Viasna”

10.55 Q&A

11.25 Concluding remarks by the Chair

#ObjectWarCampaign: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine: Protection and asylum for deserters and conscientious objectors to military service

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS please contact (ENGLISH, FRENCH, DUTCH, ITALIAN): Sam Biesemans, EBCO Vice-President: +32 477268893; sambiesemans@skynet.be

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The European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO) was founded in Brussels in 1979 as an umbrella structure for national associations of conscientious objectors in the European countries to promote the right to conscientious objection to preparations for, and participation in, war and any other type of military activity as a fundamental human right. EBCO enjoys participatory status with the Council of Europe since 1998 and is a member of its Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations since 2005. EBCO is entitled to lodge collective complaints concerning the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe since 2021. EBCO provides expertise and legal opinions on behalf of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs of the Council of Europe. EBCO is involved in drawing up the annual report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament on the application by the Member States of its resolutions on conscientious objection and civilian service, as determined in the “Bandrés Molet & Bindi Resolution” of 1994. EBCO is a full member of the European Youth Forum since 1995.