Russian Courts Use School Course Grades to Reject Alternative Civilian Service Requests

Russian courts are increasingly rejecting conscripts who seek alternative civilian service by citing grades in the school subject OBZh, now OBZR, and character references that include a stock phrase stating the individual did not demonstrate consistent pacifist beliefs. Artem Klyga, head of the legal department at the Conscientious Objectors Movement, says the courts use excellent grades on topics such as “Conscription for Military Service” as proof that a person does not hold beliefs conflicting with bearing arms, even though the grades only reflect knowledge. The same references now appear in school and college reports, effectively blocking any chance of replacing military service. Students who wish to avoid the basic military training component of OBZR can have their parents submit a written request to the school head citing the constitutional right to freedom of conscience, asking for exemption from shooting practice and handling weapons. The practice raises questions about the protection of conscientious objection in Russia.