A/HRC/23/22 Contents Page I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1–5 3 II. The international legal framework, with particular attention to new developments ................................................................................................... 6–39 3 A. The right to conscientious objection to military service ................................. 6–24 3 B. The right of serving members of the armed forces, including conscripts and volunteers, to make a claim of conscientious objection to military service .......................................................................................... 25–27 8 C. Selective conscientious objection ................................................................... 28 9 D. Decision-making process on applications for conscientious objector status ................................................................................................. 29–31 9 Prohibition of repeated trial or punishment of conscientious objectors............................................................................... 32–33 9 Alternative service .......................................................................................... 34–39 10 State law and practice: best practices ...................................................................... 40–49 11 A. Trend to abolish or suspend compulsory military service .............................. 40–41 11 B. Alternative service .......................................................................................... 42–45 12 C. Recognition of the right to conscientious objection to military service for conscripts and those serving voluntarily ................................................... 46 12 D. Selective objection to military service ............................................................ 47 13 E. Fair, independent and impartial procedures to consider applications for conscientious objection to military service; non-discrimination between conscientious objectors...................................... 48 13 Consideration of claims for refugee status for conscientious objectors .......... 49 13 State law and practice: remaining challenges .......................................................... 50–67 13 Lack of recognition or implementation of the right to conscientious objection to military service and alternative service; repeated trial or punishment ................................................................................................. 50–63 13 Restrictions on the right of freedom of expression for those who publicly support conscientious objectors and conscientious objection to military service ........................................................................................... 64 16 Conscientious objection for those serving voluntarily in the armed forces.......................................................................................... 65–66 16 Availability of information about the right to conscientious objection to military service ........................................................................................... 67 16 Conclusions ............................................................................................................. 68–70 17 E. F. III. F. IV. A. B. C. D. V. 2 Paragraphs