A/HRC/41/23 (f) No time limit on applications No time limit should be applicable for the submission of a request to be recognized as a conscientious objector. Conscripts and volunteers should be able to object before the commencement of military service, or at any stage during or after military service. (g) Independence and impartiality of the decision-making process Independent and impartial decision-making bodies should determine whether a conscientious objection to military service is genuinely held in a specific case. Such bodies should be placed under the full control of civilian authorities. (h) Good faith determination process Application procedures should be based on reasonable and relevant criteria, and should avoid the imposition of any conditions that would result in the automatic disqualification of applicants. (i) Timeliness of decision-making and status pending determination The process for consideration of any claim of conscientious objection should be timely so that applicants are not left waiting for an unreasonable length of time for a decision. As matter of good practice, all duties involving the bearing of arms should be suspended pending the decision. (j) Right to appeal After any decision on conscientious objector status, there should always be a right to appeal to an independent civilian judicial body. (k) objection Compatibility of alternative service with the reasons for conscientious Alternative service, whether of a non-combatant or civilian character, should be compatible with the reasons for conscientious objection. (l) Non-punitive conditions and duration of alternative service The conditions for alternative service should be neither punitive nor have a deterrent effect. Any duration longer than that of military service is permissible only if the additional time for alternative service is based on reasonable and objective criteria. Equalizing the duration of alternative service with military service should be considered a good practice. (m) Freedom of expression for conscientious objectors and those supporting them The personal information of conscientious objectors should not be disclosed publicly by the State, and their criminal records should be expunged. States should neither discriminate against conscientious objectors in relation to their civil, cultural, economic, political or social rights nor stigmatize them as “traitors”. Those who support conscientious objectors or who support the right of conscientious objection to military service should fully enjoy their freedom of expression. 15