Venice Commission to review alternative service issue in Ukraine

Illustrative photo: dalma.news

On December 4, 2024, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine sent a written request for an amicus curiae opinion to the Venice Commission regarding alternative (non-military) service, according to the Commission's official website.

The draft amicus curiae brief will be submitted for adoption at the 142nd plenary session of the Commission on March 14–15, 2025.

Currently, Ukraine faces a legal gap regarding the application of alternative civilian service (ACS) during wartime. While the right to alternative service is guaranteed during peacetime, under martial law courts have broad discretion in interpreting this right, according to commentary from the Telegram channel "Christians Against War". It has been noted that this situation has resulted in dozens of Ukrainian believers who refuse military service facing criminal prosecution.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Ukraine does not violate believers' rights.

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