“I Refuse” – conscientious objection as resistance against the state and the military
Friday, February 13, 2026, 7 – 10 p.m.
Conscientious objection is the right to refuse to serve with a weapon for reasons of conscience. In the face of new conscription debates, rearmament and military escalations in Europe, it is once again gaining political and social significance.
Military service shows whether societies are prepared to actively support the war plans of their governments and militaries – or withdraw their consent. Conscientious objection is therefore much more than an individual decision of conscience: it is a political act that fundamentally questions state violence, militarization and preparations for war.
Germany is currently actively supporting warring states – especially Ukraine and Israel. But whether these wars are actually being waged in the interests of the respective societies can also be seen from another indicator: the growing number of people who refuse to serve in the armed forces, desert or evade it.
What is the state of readiness for war in Europe – and in Germany itself?
At the International Munich Peace Conference 2026 (IMFK 2026) , this evening will shed light on the diverse meanings, motives and political dimensions of conscientious objection – from an international perspective and based on personal experiences.
Participants of the panel
●from Germany
○ Simon David Dressler
○ Franz Nadler (Connection e.V.)
● from Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories
○ Sofia Orr (Mesarvot)
● from Ukraine/Russia
○ Yan Kormilishin (conscientious objector from Ukraine)
○ Timofy Vaskin (conscientious objector from Russia)
Moderation: Kerem Schamberger (Medico International)
Further input: Katharina Rottmayr-Czerny (Peace Tax Network)
Backgrounds
Conscientious objection in Ukraine and Russia
The war in Ukraine is characterized by the massive destruction of cities, landscapes and livelihoods as well as hundreds of thousands of dead and injured. While this violence is usually attributed exclusively to the Russian attack, hundreds of thousands of men who are evading military service in Ukraine point to a different reality: there is apparently a growing realization that military defence does not necessarily serve to protect one’s own life, but above all to maintain state order.
Conscientious objection in Israel
Despite a current, extremely fragile ceasefire in Gaza, military attacks are continuing. Gaza continues to be bombed, as do targets in Lebanon and Syria. At the same time, the humanitarian situation of the Palestinian population is worsening – not only in the Gaza Strip, but also in the occupied Palestinian territories, where expulsions, settlement expansion and military violence continue.
At the same time, social and military resistance to the war is growing within Israel. Reservists are increasingly refusing to serve, soldiers are warning that the armed forces are being overstretched and that society is losing legitimacy. Internationally, critical voices from academia, civil society and human rights organizations are growing, pointing to serious questions of international law in connection with the Israeli government’s actions.
Organizations such as Mesarvot, Breaking the Silence and Combatants for Peace have been documenting the reality of occupation and militarization for years. They support conscientious objectors and help to make civilian alternatives to violence and war visible.
Conscientious objection in Germany
What happens when German society no longer supports its own government’s preparations for war? For decades, politicians have had a great deal of room for manoeuvre in matters of armament – despite stable majorities in polls against foreign deployments, nuclear weapons and militarization.
Today, the Bundeswehr and reserves are to be massively expanded, even though the military is shrinking and the number of applications for conscientious objection under Article 4 (3) of the Basic Law is increasing significantly. With the entry into force of the law on the “Modernization of Military Service” on 1 January 2026, the state’s compulsion to perform military service will once again take center stage. How will society react to this?
Conscientious objection – more than an individual decision
Conscientious objection can mean many things:
- Survival strategy
- Refusal to participate in war crimes
- Act of conflict prevention
- Political resistance against militarization
In any case, it questions the state’s claims to violence and opens up spaces for alternative concepts of security beyond military logic.
National and international relevance
The debate on conscription and conscientious objection is part of current security policy discussions, such as those surrounding the Munich Security Conference. Transnational support for conscientious objectors and deserters is becoming increasingly important worldwide. In Germany, it is closely linked to:
- the renewed debate on conscription and compulsory service,
- Restrictions on the right of asylum,
- and the presence of hundreds of thousands of conscientious objectors from countries such as Ukraine, Russia and Turkey.
While security policy elites are deciding on war, armament and geopolitics at the Munich Security Conference, people are taking their fate into their own hands by refusing military service – as an act of civil disobedience and democratic self-determination.
Format & key questions
The evening will focus on personal experiences of conscientious objection from different countries.
Discussions will include:
- Is there a right to conscientious objection – and is it granted?
- How are conscientious objectors, deserters and soldiers treated?
- What role does international solidarity play?
- What does conscientious objection mean in the context of rearmament, violations of international law and automated warfare?
- Is refusal an act of responsibility – or a call to surrender?
- What alternatives to military defense are conceivable?
International Munich Peace Conference 2026
Friday, February 13, 2026, 7 – 10 p.m.
