We mark International Conscientious Objector’s Day on 15 May 2025 in a context of increasing militarisation. Against this backdrop QUNO continues to work to uphold the rights of all whose conscience calls them to refuse military service. Building on decades of work for the full realisation of the right to conscientious objection to military service, our recent submission responding to a call for input by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the topic of combating intolerance against persons based on religion or belief. The submission provides input for a report requested in the UN General Assembly resolution 79/180, on “Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief.”
The right to conscientious objection to military service is inherent in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, however it is not fully recognised in law and practice. In its submission, QUNO highlights six key problems with regard to discrimination in relation to conscientious objection to military service.
To ensure implement the right, QUNO provides five core recommendations in its submission, amongst them being that all States recognise the right of conscientious objection to military service in accordance with the international human rights law standard, ensuring that they do so without discrimination in law and practice. The full submission is available to read and download below.
In additional valuing the work of the Special Procedures, QUNO sees the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as a useful route to full implementation of the right. We welcome questions in advance and recommendations on realisation of the right to conscientious objection to military service. We were particularly pleased to see the acceptance of recommendations by Norway and Albania in the 48th session of the UPR.
In relation to the recommendation to process asylum applications from objectors in accordance with UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection No. 10, Norway said that Norwegian Immigration Authorities will give due weight to the guidelines, in addition to relevant international case law. Albania approved the recommendation to establish conscientious objection to military service for professional soldiers and reservists in accordance with international human rights standards.
In light of upcoming UPR sessions and a rise in militarisation, QUNO is committed to upholding and strengthening the right to conscientious objection to military service in ongoing work.
