Fearful that conscription is a one-way ticket to bloody trench warfare, the men spend their days holed up at home to avoid draft officers who roam the streets.
Tag: Conscientious Objectors
Ukraine’s Draft Dodgers Run, and Swim, to Avoid the War
With Russia seizing the initiative on the battlefield in recent months, Ukraine’s ability to defend itself hinges on replenishing its arsenal of weaponry and mobilizing troops.
Belief or Betrayal? Ukraine’s Conscientious Objectors Face Hostility.
The option of “alternative service” vanished after martial law was declared last year. But some have refused to serve, and now face jail time and skepticism about their motives.
They Refused to Fight for Russia. The Law Did Not Treat Them Kindly.
Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of Russian men have faced criminal charges for becoming war refuseniks. That has not stopped others from going to unusual lengths to avoid battle.
Finland Closes Border to Russian Tourists
The long-planned move closes off the last land route into the European Union for people fleeing Russia’s military mobilization effort.
Waves of Russian Men Flee, Fearing Call-Up to Fight in Ukraine
Since the announcement of a new troop mobilization, civilians have realized they could not count on staying out of their country’s invasion of Ukraine.
South Korea Reconsiders a Rite of Manhood: The Draft
Military conscription has become less popular. The rules have loosened. But experts still worry about the threat from the North.
Abortion Is Now Legal in Argentina, but Opponents Are Making It Hard to Get
Anti-abortion activists are suing to block a new law allowing the procedure, and many doctors in conservative areas have declared themselves conscientious objectors.
In South Korea, Draft Resisters Still Go to Prison. But Now It’s a Job.
A court ruled that conscientious objectors must be allowed to serve their country in other ways. The government says they’ll still have to do so behind prison walls.
South Korea Frees 58 Conscientious Objectors in Wake of Landmark Ruling
South Korea has imprisoned thousands of men for refusing mandatory military service. But the practice is coming to an end after a Supreme Court ruling this month.