Conscientious Objection

These reports reaffirm that conscientious objection is a recognised human right within UN frameworks. Crucially, they link conscientious objection to refugee protection and non-refoulement, underlining that objectors facing persecution must be granted safety. For advocates, these references are valuable tools: they can be cited in policy dialogue, asylum cases, and international advocacy to press governments to respect the right to refuse military service, to provide genuine alternatives, and to end the punishment of objectors. By embedding conscientious objection into the broader UN human rights agenda, these reports strengthen the case for protecting COs everywhere, especially in times of war.