Compendium on Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel: Conscientious objection to military service
The right to object to conscription for compulsory military service is closely linked to the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief. In recent decades, many states have abolished universal conscription in favour of voluntary enlistment. A minority of states have reintroduced conscription, with Norway and Sweden extending the practice to include women.
The views, opinions, conclusions and other information expressed in this document are not given nor necessarily endorsed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) unless the OSCE is explicitly defined as the Author of this document.