NEWS – Page 2 – #ObjectWar!

Thomas Stiefel for International CO Day

16th May 2026

International Work in Support of Conscientious Objectors of the Ukraine War

«Dear Friends of Peace,

my name is Thomas Stiefel and “my” organization “Connection e.V.” based in Offenbach, which is dedicated to supporting conscientious objectors and deserters worldwide, is currently undergoing a transition.

At the highest level, Zaira Zafarana is active on our behalf as a specialist advisor and coordinator for advocacy at the UN and EU. Yesterday in Brussels, on the occasion of International Conscientious Objection Day, she presented a collection of texts entitled “Voices for Peace”, featuring stories from affected individuals from all over the world. This storytelling publication is set to be released in various formats.

In terms of direct assistance for those affected by the war in Ukraine, which has now been ongoing for four years, ”Connection e.V.” is working tirelessly alongside our lawyer and Eastern Europe expert, Artem Klyga. Artem is not surprised to be labeled a “foreign agent” by the Russian government for his work; in fact, he feels rather honored by it. Artem also collaborated with ZDF on a documentary and a report for the magazine “Frontal” about Russian deserters in Germany. Interviews with Artem are frequently published in various German media outlets…»

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Jehovah’s Witnesses: UKRAINE — Conscientious Objection to Military Service on Religious Grounds

22nd April 2026

The «Jehovah’s Witnesses» (JW) are a recognized religious organization in Ukraine. Since 2025, their members have been imprisoned for conscientious objection. Currently, 17 are in prison.

This constitutes a violation of Art. 35 of the Ukrainian Constitution, Art. 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Art. 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR), as well as the EU accession project adopted by Ukraine on May 14, 2025, which includes the right to conscientious objection. Furthermore, it contradicts the Amicus Curiae decision of the Venice Commission: «The state may not use the need to ensure national security as the sole basis for restricting the exercise of the right of a person or group to practice their religion.»

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Human Rights Organizations Express Concern Over the Immediate Risk of Deportation of Russian War Resister Maksim Kuzmin to the Russian Federation

30th March 2026

The undersigned organisations express their serious concern regarding the immediate risk of deportation of Maksim Kuzmin back to Russia, as he is approaching a yet another — and probably the ultimate — hearing on April 2nd 2026 at the Regional Administrative Court in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Maksim Kuzmin is a Russian citizen from Kaliningrad and a reserve military officer who refused to support the illegal war of aggression in Ukraine and started to engage in anti-war activities and eventually was forced to flee his country and seek protection abroad. He applied for protection in Lithuania where he has been declared a threat to national security, placing him under immediate risk.