Yannick Kiesel, the political director of the German Peace Society – United War Opponents (DFG-VK), views the recently revealed regulation within the Armed Forces Modernization Act-which requires men between the ages of 17 and 45 to obtain Bundeswehr permission for extended stays abroad-as preparation for the reintroduction of military conscription. Speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” he stated, “We criticize the corresponding paragraph in the Armed Forces Modernization Act most strongly. Even though there is officially no mandatory service yet, this regulation, in the DFG-VK’s view, clearly indicates the direction of political development: toward increased coercion, control, and militarisation of society”. Kiesel further added, “This creates the foundation for full-scale conscription. Who gets permission to leave today will be forcibly recalled tomorrow”. The DFG-VK firmly anticipates that a so-called ‘needs-based conscription’ will be implemented in the coming years. In relation to this, the currently debated paragraph will not only remain in place but will also be more rigorously enforced. Consequently, the DFG-VK is commissioning a legal review of it. The organization positions itself as the representative body for objectors to military service, providing support to these individuals.
Peace Activists Fear Wehrpflicht Return Over Military Service Law Change
