Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić assured that no one will be forced to undergo basic military training if they do not want to, emphasizing that everyone will be able to invoke religious, moral or health reasons for refusal, HINA reported, BTA reported.
“There will be no problems for anyone who decides that they do not want to serve in a military formation - the request for civilian service will be approved“, Anušić said during a parliamentary debate on amendments to the Defense Law, restoring mandatory military training.
Those who refuse military service "on conscience" will be directed to the Civil Protection for three months of service or to local governments for four months of civilian service, the minister specified. The distribution will be determined by a commission based on medical examinations in health facilities across the country.
Anusic stressed that the basic military training program is “not a measure of patriotism“ and does not discriminate against those who choose civilian service. However, the opposition criticized the employment benefits provided to those who have completed the training and the different treatment of military and civilian recruits. The minister replied that military trainees remain available to the armed forces until the age of 55 and can be called up if needed, which justifies the benefits granted to them.
Some opposition MPs welcomed the civilian service as a chance to strengthen the Civil Protection, but warned of potential organizational difficulties in the event of a large number of applications for refusal of military service. Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic expressed confidence that most young people would choose military training, but assured that the system was prepared for all scenarios. He added that the commission would not “question people's conscience“, but would provide a formal procedure for exercising their constitutional right to refuse.
According to a survey of 13,000 young men, 62 percent supported the introduction of military service, and 65 percent said they were ready to respond to a possible extraordinary call-up. Anušić also noted growing interest among women - in the last recruitment, 17 percent of volunteers were women, HINA reports.
The parliament is expected to adopt the bill on Friday, HINA recalls. After that, the first 3,000 or so call-ups will be sent, and the first conscripts will begin training in January and February. Students will be able to postpone their military service until the age of 30.