Ukraine

According to media reports, the Ukrainian army will move to become a fully-professional service in 2009, President Viktor Yushchenko told a defence ministry meeting on Wednesday, 28 November 2007.

"The last conscription is in the fall of 2009.

According to news published in the English language Kyiv Post, "Yulia Tymoshenko has promised to end mandatory army

conscription almost immediately after she is confirmed as Ukraine's next prime minister.

Another country scrutinised by the Human Rights Committee in its 88th session was the Ukraine, where the right to conscientious objection is only recognised for religious reasons. The Ukrainian government explains in its report: "Since military service is compulsory in Ukraine, the question of replacing such service by alternative (civilian) service is regulated by the State.

CCPR/C/UKR/CO/6
28 November 2006

(...)

12. While the State party has announced plans to convert its armed forces to an all-volunteer basis, the right to conscientious objection against mandatory military service should be fully respected. Conscientious objection has been accepted only for religious reasons, and only for certain religions.

As published in The Right to Conscientious Objection in Europe, Quaker Council for European Affairs, 2005.

ConscriptionConscientious objection

Conscription

Conscription is enshrined in Article 65 of the 1996 Constitution and is further regulated by the 1999 Law on Military Duty and Military Service.

The length of military service is 18 months, 24 months in the navy, and 12 months for those who have completed higher education.

CCPR/CO/73/UKR
12 November 2001

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20. The Committee notes with concern the information given by the State party that conscientious objection to military service is accepted only in regard to objections for religious reasons and only with regard to certain religions, which appear in an official list. The Committee is concerned that this limitation is incompatible with articles 18 and 26 of the Covenant.