“Imagine there’s a war – and nobody goes.”
Around May 15 – the International Day of Conscientious Objection to Military Service – we recall this sentence and its political significance. The Munich Peace Conference deliberately gave the issue of conscientious objection to military service a central place.
The joint appearance of conscientious objectors from Russia, Ukraine and Israel was particularly impressive. Their voices show:
Conscientious objection is not a retreat, but political resistance against war and militarization.
Watch the panel discussion on conscientious objection:
https://www.youtube.com/@Munich-Peace-Conference/streams
Conscientious objection is a human right
The persecution of people who do not want to pick up a weapon must be stopped – especially in war zones.
Pacifists regard the refusal of all military service as a personal contribution to a world without war and military. From the Declaration of Principles of the International of Opponents of Military Service:
“War is a crime against humanity. I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war and to work to eliminate all causes of war.”
Conscientious objection is a human right.
Anyone who is persecuted must receive protection and asylum.
For a world in which people can live without coercion, violence and war.
Conscientious objection in Germany – what is the legal situation?
In Germany, the right to conscientious objection is enshrined in the Basic Law (Art. 4 para. 3).
This means:
All citizens have the right to refuse military service for reasons of conscience.
How does conscientious objection actually work?
https://dfg-vk.de/verweigerung/
Refuses military service – refuses all military service
If you want to prevent war, you have to act.
Conscientious objection is an active contribution to peace.
Mass conscientious objection can turn individual renunciation of violence into a political effect.
Militarization worldwide – why conscientious objection is becoming more important
Wars and conflicts are increasing worldwide:
Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, Turkey, Syria, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
However, the response of many governments is not peace policy, but:
- Rising military expenditure
- Increasing arms exports
- Discussions about new compulsory military service or general compulsory service
Instead of preventing war, the focus is on being able to wage wars.
Our demands
- Conscientious objection is a human right
- Open borders for war refugees
- Reception and right to stay for persecuted opponents of war
👉 Order stickers: bayern@dfg-vk.de
Conscientious objection – frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You can find the answers here:
- https://dfg-vk-bayern.de/kriegsdienstverweigerung-was-man-wissen-sollte/
- Will there be compulsory military service in Germany again in the foreseeable future?
- Compulsory military service has been suspended since 2011. Until now, the government has hoped that enough volunteers will sign up for the Bundeswehr. However, in December 2025, the Bundestag passed a law to “modernize” military service. This stipulates that the Bundestag can reactivate compulsory military service with a law if “the personnel situation of the armed forces makes this necessary.” If compulsory military service is reintroduced in peacetime, all men between the ages of 18 and 45 could be required to serve in the armed forces (unless they refuse). If a “state of tension” or “state of defense” is declared by resolution of the Bundestag, compulsory military service applies automatically and men between the ages of 18 and 60 can be called up.
- What’s the story behind the questionnaire sent out by the Bundeswehr?
- As soon as they turn 18, young men and women receive mail from the Bundeswehr. In it, they are asked to complete a so-called “declaration of readiness” (questionnaire) online. Only men are obliged to complete the questionnaire. If they do not complete the questionnaire or knowingly complete it incorrectly, they can be fined. It is not possible to complete the questionnaire on paper. Anyone who prints out the questionnaire PDF, fills it out and sends it in has not completed the questionnaire. The military wants to know whether you are basically willing to join the Bundeswehr. There are also questions about physical condition, illnesses and education and training. Anyone who does not complete the questionnaire or knowingly completes it incorrectly can be fined. However, it remains to be seen whether a fine will actually be imposed and how much it will be.
- Important note for all those who wish to refuse military service: When completing the questionnaire, you should of course never declare that you are prepared to do military service.
- For the question “Interest in serving as a soldier” (this is the 11th question, but the questions are not numbered consecutively), a “0” must always be ticked. A “1” already signals interest in the army and triggers follow-up questions that must be answered (e.g. telephone/mobile phone number, e-mail address, length of military service, preferred use, etc.). Everything beyond “0” requires explanation in a KDV application.
- Should I perhaps expect to be called up for a medical examination?
- It depends very much on how old you are. The law stipulates that all men born in 2008 or later can be required to undergo a physical examination. Comprehensive conscription of a cohort is not due to start until mid-2027, as the Bundeswehr needs time to build up the necessary capacities. Men born before 2008 do not initially have to expect to receive a questionnaire from the Bundeswehr or a request for a physical examination – however, they could be drafted later if the Bundeswehr has created the necessary capacities. The Bundeswehr has officially declared that for all KDV applicants born before January 1, 2010, the application will be forwarded for processing without a muster. §13 KDVG. Recognized KDV’ler can no longer be retrospectively mustered. For severely disabled persons (8th question): The law also stipulates that the medical examination can be waived under certain circumstances – namely if the answers to the questionnaire and other findings appear to rule out conscription to the Bundeswehr.
- What actually happens to the “white” vintages?
- Due to the suspension of compulsory military service, men born between 1993 and 2007 were no longer registered for the military or were no longer conscripted. They belong to the so-called “white” cohorts. Initially, they do not have to expect to receive a questionnaire from the Bundeswehr or a request for a physical examination. However, it is conceivable – and probably planned – to retrieve the registration data of the men concerned. They could be drafted on the basis of this data in the event of military service or defense – even if they have not undergone basic military training. The Ministry of Defense has already stated that although reservists will be used first in the event of tension or defence, “parallel training” of undrafted conscripts is “very likely”.
- Is it possible to refuse military service without compulsory military service?
- Men who are at least 17 and a half years old and not older than 60 can apply for recognition as conscientious objectors at any time – even now that there is (still) no compulsory military service. This does not apply to women, as the Basic Law does not yet provide for them to serve in the Bundeswehr (female soldiers and reservists who wish to refuse can, however, submit a conscientious objector application). Should compulsory military service be reintroduced, it should be noted: An application for refusal has a suspensive effect if it was submitted before a call-up to the Bundeswehr. This means that the applicant cannot be drafted until a decision has been made on the conscription application. In a “state of tension” or “state of defense” (the latter is effectively a state of war), the suspensive effect does not apply. The applicant can be called up even though a decision has not yet been made on the recognition of his or her refusal. So if you want to avoid being called up to the Bundeswehr in the event of war, you should submit your KDV application in peacetime.
- Do you have to do civilian service if you refuse to do military service?
- As long as there is no compulsory military service, recognized conscientious objectors do not have to perform civilian service. However, if compulsory military service is reactivated, conscientious objectors can be called up for civilian service. The law provides for this possibility. However, the corresponding places of assignment and the necessary administrative structures would still have to be created. It is important for recognized conscientious objectors that they can be called up for civilian service for an indefinite period in the event of tension or defence. The deployment (as in peacetime) must not be connected to the Bundeswehr or the Federal Border Guard.
Conclusion: Conscientious objection as resistance to war and militarization
Conscientious objection is more than a personal decision.
It is a political act against militarization and war – and an important contribution to a more peaceful world.
