In Bavaria, a new law has come into effect, obliging state-funded educational institutions, universities and colleges to cooperate with the German Armed Forces. Previously, it was up to teachers to decide whether to invite youth officers into their classrooms or not. The law also makes it impossible for universities to issue so-called “civil clauses” that would prohibit the military use of their research.
The law was passed with the votes of the coalition parties, the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Free Voters, as well as the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Since the law’s adoption, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on research and academic freedom at Bavarian universities, as well as the conscience rights of students, parents and teachers. Over 1,500 people, including prominent figures, signed a petition against the law, fearing a militarization of the education sector.
A coalition of lawyers, scientists, churches and associations has now filed a lawsuit against the Bavarian law, arguing that it violates the constitutional rights of the accused. The lawsuit is led by prominent figures such as singer and songwriter Konstantin Wecker, Dr. Margot Käßmann, the former bishop of the Landeskirche Hannover and former chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany and Adelheid Rupp, a lawyer and former chair of the Bavarian Left.
Critics of the law argue that, while the Bundeswehr now has free access to Bavarian schools, peace groups do not have the same level of access. Tobias Pflüger of the Information Center on Militarization points out that the law was not created in a vacuum, but rather in the context of the “Zeitenwende” and the desired war-readiness of society as a whole.
Bavaria’s government, on the other hand, sees the law as a means to prevent some university boards from prohibiting the use of research for the Bundeswehr. State Chancellor Florian Herrmann of the CSU claims that the law does not restrict scientific freedom, but rather prevents some university boards from prohibiting the use of research for the Bundeswehr.
The law has also found supporters, particularly among the Bavarian government, which brought it into being. State Minister Markus Blume of the CSU warned against a “misunderstood moral pacifism” and argued that the criticism of the law is entirely misguided. The CSU faction in the Bavarian Landtag claims that Bavaria, like the federal government and other states, must contribute to the country’s defense.
The CSU’s faction leader, Klaus Holetschek, even went so far as to claim that the critics of the law are playing into the hands of Russian aggression politics. The SPD and Free Voters, the parties that also supported the law, have not issued any press releases on the ongoing lawsuit.