Human rights activist Lev Ponomaryov has published an update to the Stop the War on Ukraine petition. Sharing important information for Russians about anti-war initiatives.

Russians urged to give up war

Human rights activist Lev Ponomaryov has published an update to the Stop the War on Ukraine petition. Sharing important information for Russians about anti-war initiatives.

Stop the war with Ukraine

1. Victory Day has always been a celebration of the end of war, not a day to support new unrighteous wars. The “Viasna” movement suggested that the “Immortal Regiment” marches being prepared across Russia on 9 May should have an anti-war content. Recall: the founders of the original “Immortal Regiment” opposed the “special operation”.

2. Two nightmares being talked about in recent days – the possible declaration of military mobilisation in Russia and the use of tactical nuclear weapons in combat operations. Make sure you support the new petitions on these topics: no mobilisation and no use of nuclear weapons!

More than two months of Russia’s war against Ukraine, a month of conscription campaigns and daily news of soldiers from different Russian regions dying and being drawn into the fighting in different ways is behind us.

How can one resist being drafted into the Russian army? How can one participate in this resistance? Human rights activists have prepared a useful compilation. Share this important information, it will help save lives.

Even if mobilization is not announced in Russia in the nearest future (read general information about mobilization here), 135 thousand young men are planned to be called up for military service until July 15, 2022. It should be recalled that the Russian Defence Ministry acknowledges the participation of conscripts in combat operations in Ukraine, and parents report the deaths of “conscripts” on the cruiser Moskva.

 

To conscripts and their loved ones

“A man will never end up in the army if he doesn’t want to,” says the Conscientious Objectors Movement, which has put together an ever-expanding catalogue outlining the procedural steps that should lead to exemption from conscription.

Those conscripts who do not have a deferment or exemption from military service need to know about alternative civilian service (ACS). It is a legal and free way of avoiding the army. It is a job, for example, at a post office or hospital, with a salary not lower than the minimum wage and holidays for 21 months, often in your home town, with the opportunity to continue your full-time (or part-time) education. Citizens who have completed the ACS will not be called up for military training or to the army to participate in military operations in the event of mobilization.

Persons having beliefs or religious convictions incompatible with military service are entitled to ACS according to Article 59, paragraph 3 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The most common beliefs are pacifism, nonviolence, anti-militarism, religion, refusal to participate personally in armed conflicts and ecological views. It is possible to apply for the ACS at any time, even if the deadline is not met – the main thing is to explain the reason for missing the deadline and ask the draft board to reinstate the deadline. If the commission rejects the ACS, you may appeal to a court of law. While the court proceedings are ongoing, you may not be called up.

 

A coalition of Russian human rights organizations advises draftees on the ACS daily on the Telegram hotline and also releases materials for ACS applicants in the Telegram channel, such as how to talk to the draft board.

In the statements that human rights activists are helping to compile today, the most popular expression is: “The special operation influenced or confirmed the final formation of beliefs. For a similar statement in Ufa, the military commissar wrote a denunciation asking to prosecute the ACS applicant “for discrediting the RF Armed Forces and the President’s decision to conduct a special operation. The district police officer did not support the commissar’s zeal and stated that he did not see any administrative offence in the conscript’s actions.

 

For students

There have been cases of students being expelled from Russian universities for anti-war statements. In case of expulsion, it is possible to apply for the ACS within 10 days, but it is better to study materials on the ACS application process and prepare the application in advance.

Those students who are not subject to conscription can support classmates, friends and partners. Students Against the War writes about this:

“Students and female students have friends and partners and acquaintances of peers who are conscripted without deferment, with whom it is important to share information about opportunities to conscientiously object to military service. If you study at universities in the capital but come from other cities, tell former classmates and friends who have not left your city about the ACS. Outside of the capitals, there is less awareness of the ACS, and it is generally harder to avoid the draft there. Campaigning for conscientious objection to military service and disseminating information about ACS is a safe and legitimate way of anti-war activities.

 

Everyone

Disseminate information. In Russia, conscripts who have no exemption for medical reasons often believe that their only option is to “get off” by corrupt means, and if there is no substantial amount on hand, they voluntarily go to the military registration and enlistment offices. Tell us about the ACS. For example, with the help of explanation cards from human rights activists: on Telegram, on Instagram.

You can make simple leaflets or postcards based on the cards. This is what the Feminist Anti-War Resistance did, for example.

 

No to War!

Source: schwingen.net