RUSSIA: "Nationwide rise in arbitrary denials of alternative service"

Although the number of young men doing alternative civilian service rather than military service appears to be rising, so too is the number of rejected applications. Rejections often come despite applicants demonstrating to the military authorities that they hold beliefs which preclude participation in military service. "Conscription Commissions rarely provide justifications for their decisions," Call to Conscience laments. Administrative lawsuits challenging refusals often fail. Jehovah's Witne