Yannick Kiesel, the political director for the German Peace Society – United Anti-Military Service Opponents (DFG-VK), views the newly revealed regulation within the Military Service Modernization Act, which requires men aged 17 to 45 to obtain permission from the German Armed Forces for extended stays abroad, as a precursor to the reintroduction of conscription. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” Kiesel stated, “We are criticizing this relevant paragraph in the Military Service Modernization Act most strongly. Even though there is no official conscription right now, this regulation clearly shows the political direction, according to the DFG-VK, towards increased compulsion, control, and militarization of society”. Kiesel added, “This creates the foundation for full-scale conscription. Granting permission for people to travel abroad today means forcibly drafting people tomorrow”. The DFG-VK firmly anticipates that a so-called needs-based conscription will be introduced in the coming years. In this context, the now-discussed paragraph will not only remain but also be more rigorously enforced, leading the group to seek a legal review of it. The DFG-VK regards itself as representing and caring for those who refuse military service.
Politics
