With very few exceptions, Russians refusing to fight in Ukraine are finding it impossible to get humanitarian visas from EU Member State embassies in places like Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia where they can travel without an international passport. Often they are told to go back to Russia to apply at the embassies there, despite their safety being at risk in those countries. In Lithuania, those fleeing military service in Belarus often find themselves under threat of deportation. This despite the real risk of intimidation, arrest or imprisonment, especially for those who leave military service.

Russian deserter Sasha (name changed) describes his situation as follows:

I was forcibly conscripted and sent to the front. I did not want to participate in the bloody russian invasion of Ukraine and take part in killing innocent people. From the first day of mobilization I was looking for a way to escape from my military unit and leave russian army.

(…) I believed I would find protection in Europe, but so far it wasn’t the case. I fled to France via Armenia and Croatia. However, after a few months, I’ve received an order to move back to Croatia. This country, in most cases, does not grant asylum to russian citizens. I fear that from there, I could be deported to Bosnia and then to russia. 

Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations that help those refusing to fight find themselves labelled as ‘foreign agents’.

We call on the European Parliament to reiterate its demand to Member States to provide protection for those who are at risk because they refuse to fight, in line with UNHCR Guidelines on International Protection. We ask Member States to offer humanitarian visas to those who refuse to fight, and thus exercise the human right to conscientious objection to military service, whether they refuse conscription or make that decision while in training, in service or as reserves.

Signed by:

  • Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)
  • European Bureau for Conscientious Objection (EBCO)
  • German Peace Society – United War Resisters
  • Un Ponte Per ETS (UPP)
  • Pax Christi International
  • Connection e.V.
  • War Resisters’ International
  • International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)