UkraineConfirmed
Council of Europe anti-racism body encourages Ukraine to offer Jehovah's Witnesses alternative civilian service; Ukraine says legislation is being prepared
ECRI's sixth report on Ukraine, published on 21 October 2026, relays allegations of more than 150 incidents of mistreatment of Witnesses taken to military units and reported figures on 967 criminal proceedings, and encourages the authorities to make non-military alternative service available during the war. In an appendix, Ukraine says the 150 figure counts reports rather than established violations, disputes that conscientious objection has been 'ruled out', and says the Ministry of Economy and Environment is preparing legislation.