In Germany, there has been a significant increase in the number of people refusing military service on grounds of conscience. Since the beginning of 2022, the number of conscientious objectors has sharply risen.
A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed that, by October 31, 2024, 2,468 individuals had applied to refuse military service. This represents a 50% increase compared to the previous year (2023: 1,609) and an eleven-fold rise from 2021 (209), before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The applications have come from both active Bundeswehr soldiers and reservists, many of whom are reportedly concerned about the possibility of being sent to the Russian-Ukrainian front. There have also been applications from civilians who are not currently subject to military service but wish to ensure they are exempt from being drafted under any circumstances.
By October, the Ministry of Defense had reviewed 136 applications from active soldiers, 840 from reservists, and 1,492 from non-commissioned officers. Since the war began, 549 active soldiers and 1,707 reservists have dropped out.
The Ministry emphasized that the Bundeswehr is “competing for the best talent” and that security concerns, along with the ongoing threat from Russia, will likely continue to influence the number of refusals.
The right to refuse military service on grounds of conscience remains in place under Part 3 of Article 4 of the Basic Law, even after the suspension of conscription in 2011. A written request must be submitted to the local military enlistment office, and a detailed justification must be provided to the Federal Office for Family and Civil Affairs within a month of the application.
