The rejection of applications for alternative civilian service and other violations

Draft boards often refuse to accept applications for alternative civilian service. The procedure of providing alternative civilian service, instead of military service, is regulated by federal law. One of the law’s requirements is to apply for alternative service no less than six months prior to the draft, in order for the Federal Service of Labour and Employment to appoint a workplace. Most conscientious objectors, however, learn about this aspect of the law too late. Although the Constitutional Court clarifies that the deadline may be extended, most draft boards refuse to act accordingly.

Many conscientious objectors appeal to courts, which results in a suspension of the recruitment process. While some courts cancel draft boards’ decisions, most uphold them. The courts, however, often take a long time to make a decision and the draft period ends. In these cases, conscientious objectors must wait until the next draft period to repeat the application for alternative civilian service or to undergo a medical examination (with the hope of being exempt from the draft). In some cases, the conscientious objector simply reaches the maximum conscription age (27 years) before the next draft period or just avoids communication with the draft board. There are instances, in which an individual applied for alternative civilian service four or more times. Ultimately, draft boards prefer to reject applications or waste time in court, rather than allow conscientious objectors to fulfill alternative civilian service.

Draft boards also commit violations through the refusal to even file applications and misinforming conscientious objectors, with the goal of persuading them not to apply. These violations are especially prone to happen if the applicant submits his application after the stated deadline. Uncoincidently, draft boards attempt to convince applicants to miss the deadline recommended by the law. All of these violations create difficulties for individuals applying for alternative civilian service.

According to official information about 80-90 % applications grant alternative civilian service. According the information of NGO’s information, only about 25 % applications grant alternative civilian service, about 25 % of applications are rejected and about 50% applications are just ignored by Draft Boards. Last four years the number of applications for alternative civilian service has been increasing, though compared conscripts (military service) it is disproportionately small (about 1%).

Young people, applying for alternative civilian service, still face a lot of obstacles and difficulties

Дата добавления: 2015-05-10