Lithuania

 

Conscription:

Yes

Reintroduced in 2015 (following Russia's annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in Ukraine's Donbass; previously suspended in 2009).

Highly selective conscription: approximately 3,800 conscripts are called annually from the pool of all the potential draftees (~30,000).

Conscientious objection:

1990

First recognised by the Law on Substitute Service of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Service

 

Military:

9

 

Civilian:

10

* Important note: The European Court of Human Rights found that the "alternative national defence service is intrinsically linked to military service, and therefore cannot be seen as separate civilian service" (judgment on 7 June 2022 in the case of Teliatnikov v. Lithuania).

Minimum

 

Conscription:

18

 

Voluntary enlistment:

18

 

More

https://ebco-beoc.org/lithuania

Please check section 1.1.1.1 European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The Ministry of Defence draws lists of people to be called for military conscription. In 2023, the pool includes around 54,000 men aged 18-23 who are eligible for military service. The number of people to be conscripted to serve in various units of the Lithuanian military in 2023 will be 3,828. The lists are drawn up randomly, using a piece of computer software. [1]

The Defence Ministry has proposed to shorten the compulsory service to six months from the current nine months and increase the number of conscripts to 5,000. The reform would increase the number of conscripts from 3,800 to 5,000 in 2027, and the number of active reserve soldiers from 27 000 to 40 000 soldiers in the long run. The reform would also introduce a three-month conscription for young people who have completed their studies or, as an alternative, a three-year service on weekends in the National Defence Volunteer Force. [2]

 

[1] Lithuania’s 2023 military conscription lists to be drawn up Thursday. (05.01.2023). Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT). Available at: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1859973/lithuania-s-2023-military-conscription-lists-to-be-drawn-up-thursday

[2] Lithuania mulls shortening military service, drafting more conscripts. (05.01.2023). Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT). Available at: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1860132/lithuania-mulls-shortening-military-service-drafting-more-conscripts