Refuseniks

Refuseniks are individuals, often in the context of the former Soviet Union, who refused to comply with government policies or military service, especially during times when dissent was suppressed. The term originally described Soviet Jews and other citizens who sought to emigrate or oppose government mandates, risking persecution or imprisonment. More broadly, it can refer to anyone who refuses to follow certain regulations or orders as a form of protest or ethical stance. Their actions highlight struggles for individual rights and freedoms under repressive regimes or situations.