Background

In resolution 51/6, the Human Rights Council requested the High Commissioner to prepare a report “in consultation with all States and relevant intergovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, the treaty bodies, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations”. The report is mandated to contain “recommendations on legal and policy frameworks to uphold human rights in the context of conscientious objection to military service in accordance with States’ obligations under international human rights law and applicable international human rights standards”. The Human Rights Council requests the High Commissioner “to present the report, in an accessible and readable format, to the Council at its fifty-sixth session”.

Guiding questions on the inputs sought

Recognition in law:

• Please provide information on the recognition of the right of conscientious objection to military service in domestic law, including whether the protection is provided for in constitutional law.
• Please provide information on the scope of the right of conscientious objection to military service and any exceptions applicable to it within domestic law. Please highlight whether there are exceptions applicable:
• To particular situations, such as states of emergency and/or armed conflict.
• For particular categories of persons, such as individuals voluntarily serving in the armed forces.
• To particular places, including nationals residing in areas outside the territory of the State that are within its effective control.

Procedure:

• Please provide information on the extent to which policies and procedures have been adopted to facilitate the exercise of the right of conscientious objection to military service. If so, please provide a description of those procedures.

Implementation:

• Please provide information on legislation or policies adopted with respect to the implementation of the right of conscientious objection, in particular of alternative service arrangements. Where possible, please highlight the length of such service as compared to military service and any other conditions applicable to carrying out alternative service.

How inputs will be used

Unless requested otherwise, the information provided may be made available on this page.