CO Yurii Sheliazhenko

➡️ YURII SHELIAZHENKO – Ukrainian Peace Activist & Conscientious Objector

Sheliazhenko is the Executive Secretary of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, a council member of the International Peace Bureau, and a board member of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection and of World Beyond War.

Since 1998, he has been an outspoken conscientious objector who rejects military service or the participation of any kind in war based on moral and ethical grounds. As outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), conscientious objection is a fundamental human right.

The Ukrainian Pacifist Movement and Sheliazhenko have historically been the target of harassment by the Ukrainian authorities. The situation has worsened significantly since February 2022 after the Russian invasion.

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• The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

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• Pacifism

• Human Rights Situation in Ukraine

Illegal Forced Detainment – March, 2026

Yurii has been targeted on multiple occasions with threats of imprisonment. On March 19, he was forcibly detained by Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv. In violation of his human rights, the arrest took place without legal procedure, without access to legal counsel, and without compliance with safeguards detailed in Ukrainian law.

Sheliazhenko was apprehended by the Pechersk District Police in Kyiv. The Quakers in Britain and War Resisters' International report that he was forcibly seized and then held by the Territorial Centre of Recruitment and Social Support (TCC), a controversial military conscription authority.

The TCC has faced intense criticism over the years, including allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and illegal detention of men. Under poor conditions, violence is used by guards to force men into the military, a process nicknamed "busification" by locals.

Prosecution & Persecution

Since the 2022 Russian invasion, Sheliazhenko has faced significant pressure from Ukrainian authorities. In August 2023, he was charged under Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for allegedly "justifying Russian aggression".

The evidence cited was a document written by Yurii called "Peace Agenda for Ukraine and the World", which actually condemns the invasion and simply calls for a peaceful resolution. He was placed under a 60-day partial house arrest by the Solomyanskyi District Court of Kyiv.

If convicted under these charges, he faces up to five years in prison. In late 2025, he reportedly received a further summons, which maintains that conscientious objection during wartime is not recognised in Ukraine.

Alarming efforts to forcibly conscript Yurii despite his moral beliefs and right to object continue with threats, harassment, and home raids.

International Response

Global human rights groups, such as Amnesty International and the IPB, have consistently called for the protection of Yurii. They strongly condemn the cruel practices of "busification", forced conscription, and compulsory military registration occurring in Ukraine as human rights violations.

They have denounced Ukrainian attacks on freedom of speech, excessive use of force, and the lack of legal procedure followed in his detention. Organisations maintain that the right to conscientious objection is a fundamental human right under the ICCPR, which, despite protests by Ukraine, remains valid even during wartime.

Since his release, Yurii has documented the traumatic experience, which included excess use of force in a video entitled "Two days of torture and arbitrary detention in Kyiv conscription facilities." Although he is now free, he remains under the constant threat of forced conscription.

A statement by War Resisters' International -

"We repeat our call to the international community to exercise all proper actions to ensure that human rights defenders and peace activists are not criminalised for their actions for peace and nonviolence; moreover, that the right to conscientious objection is fully implemented in line with international standards and that conscientious objectors are provided with the necessary protection against persecution in their country of origin, also with asylum."

Better World Info condemns both arbitrary detention and all threats to freedom of speech, which simply do not have a place in democratic countries.

Conscription in Ukraine

As of February 2022, under martial law, men aged 18 to 60 are generally prohibited from leaving Ukraine to ensure sufficient mobilisation in the war against Russia. In April 2024, the military draft age for mandatory mobilisation was lowered from 27 to 25.

To address shortages, recruitment officers have employed aggressive tactics to round up eligible men into the army. Intimidation, physical coercion, and checking documents in public places have become commonplace.

Known as draft dodgers, around two million Ukrainians are now wanted for evading military call-up. A further 200,000 soldiers have deserted their units.

New laws have been introduced to punish those who avoid registration, including the suspension of driving licenses, the freezing of financial assets, and the seizure of property. Under martial law, those found guilty of desertion and military evasion can be prosecuted and jailed.

*****

As the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its fourth year, despite his recent detention, Yurii Sheliazhenko remains steadfast in his commitment to peace work and resistance to war.

Pacifism is not illegal. Human rights defenders and peace activists should never be detained simply for expressing their views.

We stand alongside the IPB, World Beyond War, War Resisters' International, the Quakers, Stop the War, and the EBCO, calling for all prisoners of conscience to be immediately and unconditionally released, all charges dropped, and all persecution to stop.

The crackdown on Yurii Sheliazhenko and the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement must end, and the right to freedom of expression must be respected.

Author: Dr Norbert Stute and Rachael Mellor 21.03.26, updated 25.03.26 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

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