Ukraine: Information on conscientious objection (1991)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UKR9736 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ukraine: Information on conscientious objection (1991), 1 November 1991, UKR9736, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab7e1c.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In April 1991, the Ukraine passed a Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religion which reportedly includes the right of citizens to claim alternative service in the army (BBC Summary 26 Apr. 1991; USSR Country Profile Oct. 1991, 25). Also in April, the Ukraine confirmed its policy regarding service in the USSR army, stating that recruits had to serve on Ukrainian territory unless they volunteered, in writing, to go elsewhere (USSR Country Profile Oct. 1991, 45). Recently, the government of the Ukraine stated that it would establish a republican national guard (USSR Country Profile October 1991, xi; RFE 18 October 1991, 37). In October 1991, the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet approved two draft laws, On the Defence of the Ukraine and On the Armed forces of the Ukraine (BBC Summary 24 Oct. 1991 and 25 Oct. 1991). Details on the content of the draft laws are not currently available to the IRBDC. Some reports on the discussion of the draft laws, including an article from early 1991, indicated that the draft laws may provide for an alternative to military service for consciencious objectors (AP 24 Oct. 1991; TASS 22 Oct. 1991; BBC Summary 19 Feb. 1991). However, a Radio Kiev report of 25 October 1991 quotes the Minister of Defence, General Konstantin Morozov, as stating that "we have preserved the principle of a general military duty of all male citizens of the republic..." (BBC Summary 25 Oct. 1991). Please see the attached article.
There is no further information specific to this topic currently available to the IRBDC. General information on alternative service and conscription in the Soviet Union is available in USSR: Country Profile and REFINFO.
Bibliography
Associated Press (AP). 24 October. 1991. "Soviet General Says Ukraine Has Right to Its Own Army."
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 25 October 1991. "Defence Minister On Ukrainian Armed Forces" Radio Kiev [in English], 23 Oct. 1991.
. 24 October 1991. "Chernobyl to Be Closed Down; Parliament Passes Bills On Ukrainian Defence" TASS [in Russian], 22 October 1991.
. 26 April 1991. "Ukrainian Supreme Soviet Adopts Law on Freedom of Conscience" Soviet Television, 23 April 1991.
. 19 February 1991. "Figures for Ukrainian Recruits to the Soviet Army."
Immigration and Refugee Board Documentation Centre (IRBDC). October 1991. USSR: Country Profile.
Radio Free Europe. 18 October 1991. Report on the USSR. "Weekly Record of Events."
The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS). 22 October 1991. "Ukrainian Parliamentary Session Resumes in Kiev."
Attachment
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 25 October 1991. "Defence Minister On Ukrainian Armed Forces" Radio Kiev [in English], 23 Oct. 1991.
