European states are handling numerous cases involving draft evaders and deserters from Russia. Unfortunately, rejection rates are very high. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has issued a legal brief on one of these cases: the asylum application of Olga and Nikita Belov in Finland. The brief outlines their need for protection and argues that, under international law, they are entitled to asylum.
Granting protection to people at real risk of being sent to the frontline in Ukraine or of being sentenced to long prison terms is important at a time when repression is rising in Russia. The consequences for those refusing to serve and engaging in anti-war protests may be severe.
European states need to rethink their policies that deny protection to Russian anti-war protesters, draft evaders and deserters. Indeed, there may be signs that such a rethink is underway, with applicants receiving favourable protection decisions, including landmark court rulings in Latvia and France.
Olga and Nikita Belov should be granted protection in Finland, setting an important precedent for similar cases throughout Europe.