Issued by the Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft – Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen (DFG-VK) German Peace Society – United War Resisters
We have just heard accounts from those directly affected by the criminalization of conscientious objection in Turkey. Their experiences are a stark reminder that the fight against militarism is not abstract—it is about real people facing real persecution. Their voices demand that we turn what we have heard today into meaningful action.
As a representative of the German Peace Society – United War Resisters (DFG-VK), we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with conscientious objectors in Turkey. For over 130 years, our organization has fought against militarism, war, and forced conscription. We have stood alongside pacifists, anti-war activists, and those who refuse to take up arms—not just in Germany but worldwide.
Germany has a long history of conscientious objection. Many here will remember that compulsory military service was only abolished in 2011. Before that, German conscientious objectors faced legal challenges, exclusion, and social stigma—although never to the extreme of what we see in Turkey today. This makes it even more crucial that we lend our voices to those who continue to be persecuted for their refusal to serve in the military.
Refusing military service is not just about personal belief—it is a direct challenge to the militarization of society. Turkey’s military conscription does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broader system that enforces nationalism, obedience, and state violence, particularly in Kurdish regions and against political dissidents.
When conscientious objectors in Turkey say no to military service, they are saying no to:
- The continuation of war and armed conflict
- The suppression of political dissent
- The criminalization of anti-militarist voices
For the German Peace Society, these are deeply familiar struggles. In both World War I and II, those who refused to fight were treated as traitors, persecuted, and even executed. Many were socialists, feminists, religious objectors, and pacifists—people who, like those we hear from today, believed that war was not the solution to conflict. Today, we honor their legacy by standing with those who continue to resist war, wherever they are.
Militarization does not just affect soldiers—it affects entire societies. In Turkey, compulsory military service is tied to ideas of masculinity, nationalism, and state power. The expectation that men must serve reinforces a culture where:
- Obedience is valued over critical thinking
- State violence is normalized
- Alternative visions of security, peace, and resistance are dismissed
For women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those outside the military structure, militarization means a society where force and hierarchy dictate daily life. It is no coincidence that feminist and LGBTQ+ activists are also among those targeted by the state.
In a system where masculinity is equated with militarization, resisting conscription is also an act of defying gender norms. The struggle for conscientious objection must include an intersectional perspective—one that recognizes how military service reinforces patriarchal and heteronormative power structures. The fight against compulsory service is not only about military refusal but also about the right to exist outside the state’s definition of citizenship and masculinity.
Groups like Vicdani Ret İzleme (Conscientious Objection Watch) are critical in providing legal support, documenting cases, and advocating for the recognition of conscientious objection as a right. Their work, much like that of DFG-VK here in Germany, is essential in ensuring that resistance to militarization is possible.
This is also a critical time to engage in these discussions and to support activists, particularly those in heavily suppressed regions. We are witnessing the rise of fascist ideologies across Europe, and in Germany, discussions around the reintroduction of conscription (Wehrpflicht) have re-emerged under the CDU’s influence. It is imperative that we recognize these warning signs and act now to oppose all forms of militarization.
The consequences of this trend go beyond military service alone. A return to conscription would not only strip individuals of their right to refuse participation in armed conflict but would also deepen the militarization of everyday life. The promotion of a nationalist, militaristic agenda risks fostering a culture of obedience, reinforcing state authority over personal autonomy, and silencing voices that challenge war and violence. History has shown us that militarization does not remain contained—it extends into education systems, police structures, and border control, developments that we are already witnessing across Germany and Europe, leading to further repression and human rights violations.
These activists are not alone. Across Europe, Latin America, and beyond, there are networks of anti-militarist organizations that continue to push for an end to conscription, for the recognition of objectors, and for a world without war. Their fight is our fight, and it is essential that we work together to resist militarization in all its forms.
As we conclude this discussion, we must recognize that solidarity requires action. So what can we do?
- Amplify their voices – Share their stories, write about their cases, and keep their struggle visible in Germany and across Europe.
- Support advocacy efforts – Pressure institutions like the European Union, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe to hold Turkey accountable.
- Work against militarization everywhere – Conscientious objection is obviously not just a Turkish issue. We must continue to challenge military recruitment, war profiteering, and the expansion of arms industries in our own countries.
- Strengthen transnational alliances – Groups like War Resisters’ International provide platforms for objectors worldwide. We must continue to build connections between peace movements across borders.
- Provide practical support – Objectors in exile need resources, asylum advocacy, and employment opportunities. Establishing direct aid networks can help them rebuild their lives outside of militarized societies.
- Resist the normalization of conscription – We must actively challenge discussions in Germany and elsewhere that promote a return to compulsory military service. Educating the public about the dangers of militarization and organizing against is a crucial part of our work.
The right to say no to war is a fundamental human right. Until Turkey acknowledges this, we will not be silent.
The German Peace Society stands with all those persecuted for their refusal to take part in militarization and war. We will continue to demand that conscientious objection is recognized everywhere—not as an act of defiance, but as a fundamental human right.
Wars do not end when governments agree—they end when people refuse to fight.
Thank you.
Published by: Issued by the Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft – Vereinigte KriegsdienstgegnerInnen (DFG-VK) German Peace Society – United War Resisters