The Hungarian
nation has long been proud of the fact it has 12 Nobel winners under its
belt.
Henrich Farkas,
manager and co-founder of the Hungarian League Against Conscription, said
his organization, together with similar groups from many other countries,
signed the petition on January 15.
It stated, "In
the future, no politician in power should get the Nobel Peace Prize if
his/her country practices conscription."
Farkas described
conscription as "inhumane and outdated" and added the fact that men were
forced into service made any military force "an institution of violence".
Founded in 1993,
the Hungarian League Against Conscription began with a handful of important
Hungarian figures, including movie director Imre Kerenyi, singer János
Bródy, cameraman Miklós Jancsó and writer György Konrád. Together they
tried to utilize their notoriety for a cause they felt strongly about.
Since then, the number of supporters has continued to rise.
"To be against
conscription does not mean your political, religious, or social beliefs
have to be the same," said Farkas.
There are several anti-conscription groups in Hungary which are united in the League, despite ideological differences.
The two most
active players, though diametrically different, are the pacifist group
Alba Kör and the Catholic group Bokor. Alba Kör is, however, anti-military,
while Bokor is pro-military. Political uniformity is not the goal of the
League, simply an end to conscription.
"We don’t take
one side over the other," said Farkas. "After conscription is gone, the
league will be gone."
According to an article in the Economist (August 12, 2000), about 70% of Hungarians were anti-conscription. The other 30% stated they were either ambivalent, indifferent, lacking knowledge, or concerned.
One political analyst, who asked not to be named, said Hungary could potentially be put in a vulnerable position if compulsory military service was stopped.
"Conscription should depend on the politics of neighboring countries until we are more secure as a nation, which all depends upon EU partnership. I believe we need it for the safety of our country. We are maintaining a threatening force against potential enemies and aggressors."
He continued, "After EU unity is firm and secure, then conscription should be looked at again and we should ask, ‘Is this really necessary or not?’ "
He added he does not believe in forcing others against their will, but said that in present circumstances the current system was safer.
Copyright 2001 * The
Budapest Sun * All Rights
Reserved
******************************************************************************
Remarks
1. Bokor Community
is not pro-military at all, it is pacifist.
2. Imre Kerényi is a theater director.
/Henrik Farkas/