News – Page 5 – IPB – International Peace Bureau

Yurii Sheliazhenko*, Conscientious Objector to Military Service and Human Rights Defender, under Immediate Threat

JOINT PRESS RELEASE | 23 January 2026

The undersigned organizations express serious concern regarding the continued persecution of Ukrainian human rights defender Yurii Sheliazhenko, a conscientious objector to military service. He is currently under an alarming threat of being arrested and forcibly conscripted under Ukraine’s system of universal military registration, which is enforced through coercive measures including arbitrary detentions and forced transfers to conscription offices. Such practices effectively compel conscientious objectors to act against their beliefs and directly violate Article 18(2) of the ICCPR, which prohibits coercion impairing freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

In answer to his appeals against the summon recently received at Christmas time, Yurii Sheliazhenko was sent a communication from a number of authorities, all stating in writing that there is not recognition of conscientious objection to military service in Ukraine in times of war. The Secretariat of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets replied to a related complaint, “mobilization by the State of Ukraine is the only necessary and urgent measure to prevent aggression by another state, during which the possibility of alternative service is excluded (since mobilization itself is aimed not simply at performing military service, but at protecting the Motherland from military invasion by another state). At the same time, the current legislation provides for the liability of persons guilty of violating the legislation on military duty and military service.”

Inputs for OHCHR: Conscientious objection to military service in Belarus

Belarus systematically suppresses conscientious objection, expanding criminal penalties, militarization, and coercive recruitment while undermining international human rights standards.

January 15, 2026

1. Brief summary

Belarus maintains compulsory military service for male citizens of conscription age (18-27 years), with conscription generally taking place twice a year. IIn 2025, this is confirmed by official documents on spring and autumn conscription.¹ ²

After completing their fixed-term military service, citizens are subject to enlistment in the reserve and continue to perform military duties until they reach the maximum age for remaining in the reserve, as established by the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Military Duty and Military Service.” Depending on the reserve category and military category, this age is in some cases up to 60 years, and for certain categories of conscripts, up to 65 years.³ ⁴

In wartime or when mobilization is declared, the law allows for the expansion of the age range for conscripts.⁵

IPB Statement on Iran Protests

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) expresses our deep concern for the situation in Iran, even as the most recent protests are reported to be winding down. The repeated cycle of protests have become more regular and have been met by disproportionate and unacceptable levels of violence against legitimate demands. The thousands of Iranians killed, injured, and arrested during the past month should shock and concern everyone, even while the complete information blackout makes it difficult to determine totals. The IPB unequivocally condemns the violence of the Iranian state against protesters.

Quantum Scientists Publish Manifesto Against the Militarization of Research

Quantum technologies are often presented in public discourse as one of the most promising scientific frontiers of the twenty-first century. The so-called “second quantum revolution” encompasses developments such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing—technologies that are now transitioning from fundamental research to early industrial applications. While large-scale commercial deployment is still limited, concrete uses are already emerging, particularly in sensing and secure communications.

Why ‘Common Security’ is good for business and global stability. Here’s why

By: Luc Triangle, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) at the World Economic Froum 2026

The concept of Common Security is about addressing root causes of instability: poverty, environmental degradation, exclusion and erosion of trust.
The approach is the cornerstone of sustainable, predictable and profitable global business.
Such security is not an abstract vision – it is a necessary strategy for our collective future, and business must be part of the solution.

By any measure, the world is at a crossroads. Geopolitical conflicts are escalating, climate breakdown is accelerating, economic inequality is deepening, erosion of democracy is growing.

Greenland: Not for Sale (or Conquest)

Statement by the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security, January 20, 2026.

The Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security opposes and condemns President Trump’s imperial and neocolonial campaign of coercion to seize Greenland, an integral domain of Denmark.

Trump’s ambitions for Greenland are part of the increased strategic and commercial competition for influence and potentially control of the Arctic and the northwest passage. Greenland’s mineral wealth, including rare earth minerals, has increasing economic importance.

Appeal to the Presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States of America

On 5 February 2026, the last nuclear arms control treaty between the USA and Russian Federation, The United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START), which has limited the nuclear arms race – albeit completely inadequately – will expire. There is a danger of an unrestrained arms race, including a nuclear arms race, with far-reaching political, strategic, economic and psychological consequences, leading to even greater confrontation and destabilisation of the already volatile international situation.

Global Day of Action in Solidarity with Venezuela: January 17

No War, No Overthrow, No Coup, No Sanctions!

We are calling for an end to U.S. hostility toward Venezuela, including sanctions, threats, & war.

End all war and hostilities toward Venezuela.
Cut off the funding that allows such crimes.
Free Venezuela’s kidnapped president.
Bring all U.S. troops and equipment back to the United States from Venezuela and vicinity.
Cancel the brutal economic sanctions, naval blockade, and no-fly-zone.
Renounce overthrows and the Monroe Doctrine.
Impeach, convict, and remove President Trump from office.

Women As Agents of Change: Students of Serbia

Love is the quiet force that rebuilds what was broken. Unity is the light that guides us forward.

This is their story…

From Serbia to the world, a new vision and frequency moves through the youth, one woven with hope, compassion, and unbreakable solidarity

At the forefront of this rising are the women, whose voices, resilience, and leadership have set the tone for a new era of courage.

They show us that even in the darkest chapters of humanity, the light returns through those willing to stand together.

A reminder that humanity’s greatest revolutions begin with love and what becomes possible when we stand as ONE.

This is The Students of Serbia.

No to War, No to Abduction: IPB Calls for Global Opposition to U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) firmly condemns the US military strikes in Venezuela, and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to stand trial in the US. This illegal act of war has already led to the death of civilians and military personnel alike and risks throwing both Venezuela and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region into greater instability and deeper conflict. Though the US claims that the military intervention is over, we must be wary of continued military and non-military intervention in Venezuela during this sensitive and volatile moment – as we have seen in past instances such as post-Gaddafi Libya, there is likely further instability to come.