Here you will find relevant information on the legal and real situation of conscientious objection in selected European countries. This includes the news on the current situation, legal texts,  their analysis' and other texts. Currently, this section is under construction, but it will be available soon. Overview table of the situation of military service and conscientious objection in the EU countries a brief history of conscientious objection in Europe by Sam Biesemans CO situation in the United States - the case of Camilo Meija the legal situation in Northern Cyprus   EU Member State Conscription   (no more conscription since... ) Duration of compulsory military service Right to conscientious objection since* Duration of alternative service Remarks Austria Yes 8 months    12 months    Belgium No (since 1995)    1964       Cyprus Yes 26 months No Right to CO (Unarmed military service: 42 months) In Cyprus there doesn’t exist an alternative service of a clearly civilian nature Czech Republic Yes 12 months 1990 18 months The end of conscription is scheduled for 2005 Denmark Yes 4 to 12 months, average 9 1917 Same duration as military service    Estonia Yes 8 - 11 months 1994 12 months    Finland Yes 180 days 1931 395 days    France No (since 2001)    1963/1983       Germany Yes 9 months 1949/1956 10 months The duration of alternative service will be reduced to 9 months in October 2004 Greece Yes 12 months 1997 30 months    Hungary Yes 9 months 1989 18 months The end of conscription is scheduled for 2005 Ireland No             Italy Yes 10 months 1972 10 months The end of conscription is scheduled for 2005 Latvia Yes 12 months 1997 24 months    Lithuania Yes 12 months 1990 18 months    Luxemburg No    1963       Malta No             Netherlands No (since 1996)    1922       Poland Yes 12 months 1988 18 months    Portugal Yes 4 months 1976/1992 4 months The end of conscription is scheduled for 2004 Slovak Republic Yes 12 months 1990 24 months Conscription  shall be suspended in 2006 Slovenia No (since 2003)    1991       Spain No (since 2001)    1978/1984       Sweden Yes 7,5 months 1920 7,5 months    United Kingdom No    1916       Compiled by Friedhelm Schneider, May 2004 * note; first date means inclusion in constitution, second date signifies when it was put into national legislation [back to top]