Conscientious Objection to Military Service for Professional Soldiers
While the right to conscientious objection is recognized in international standards and legislation, only a limited number of European countries grant the status of conscientious objector to professional members of the armed forces. The right to conscientious objection is provided for through Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human …
Launch of the Compendium on Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel
A recording of the event is now available to view here. On 5 March 2021, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) launched the Compendium of standards, good practices and recommendations on Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel. The Compendium presents …
The Same Duties, The Same Risks?
As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches one year since its initial outbreak, a glimmer of hope has appeared on the horizon: the rollout of vaccines across EU Member States, in December 2020, is a bright light at the end of what was an incredibly dark year. Giving her official approval before …
Priorities of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency
On 1 January 2021, Portugal takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the 4th time. The Presidency rotates every 6 months and will be held by Portugal in the first half of 2021. To ensure coherency, three Presidencies are grouped together – Portugal shares the …
Creation Of The First UK Independent Defence Authority
EUROMIL was informed that on 1 December 2020, the first Independent Defence Authority in the United Kingdom (UK) has been created. This is the first initiative to represent military personnel in the UK through an independent body. The mission of the Independent Defence Authority is to provide more cost effective …
Numbers of Military Personnel – Personnel Strength of European Armed Forces
EUROMIL observed in the past months and years that European armed forces are reducing the numbers of their personnel and / or have problems to recruit enough young people to fill their ranks. In autumn 2020, EUROMIL decided to take a step back and analyse the underlying political and military …
The Role of Military Trade Unions in Tackling Discrimination in the Armed Forces
On 18 November 2020, EUROMIL held an online discussion on “The role of military trade unions in tackling discrimination in the armed forces”. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in international standards and legislation. At the European Union (EU) level, these principles are foreseen in EU Treaties and …
12 ICOAF: Impact of COVID-19 on Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces
Since its first meeting in Berlin in 2009, EUROMIL participates at the yearly meetings of the International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (ICOAF). Among the participants, EUROMIL is one of the rare participants not being an Ombuds Institution. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 12th ICOAF planned …
Attacks against PFEARFU Secretary for Gender Equality
EUROMIL is deeply worried about the recent immoral and sexist attacks against the newly appointed Secretary for Gender Equality of its Greek member association, the “Panhellenic Federation of Armed Forces Unions” (PFEARFU). The organisation has been informed that the Secretary for Gender Equality of PFEARFU had been the victim of …
Human Rights Situation in the Armed Forces of Montenegro
EUROMIL is gravely concerned by the worsening human rights situation in the armed forces of Montenegro, where the human rights and fundamental freedoms of members of the armed forces and especially their trade union rights and their right to freedom or religion or belief are under attack. EUROMIL is equally …