Conscientious objection in Bulgaria - a survey
At a seminar in Plovdiv in Bulgaria, organised by Youth Society for Peace and Development on the Balkans (YSPDB) on behalf of EBCO, YSPDB presented a survey on the situation regarding conscientious objection in Bulgaria. The survey had been done in 2004, and the total sample was 1265 interviewees. Here we present some of the results:
1. Do you know about the possibility to substitute military service with an alternative service, according to Bulgarian legislation and European standards?
| Answer | % of respondents |
| No | 44.7 |
| Yes | 36.2 |
| Subtotal | 80.9 |
| No response | 19.1 |
| Total | 100.0 |
2. Would you substitute your military service with an alternative service?
| Answer | % of respondents |
| No | 31.1 |
| Yes | 30.4 |
| Subtotal | 61.4 |
| No response | 38.6 |
| Total | 100.0 |
Why would you not substitute your military service?
| Answer | % of respondents |
| Military service is the civil duty of every Bulgarian citizen | 44.2 |
| I will acquire special kills and knowledge during military service | 20.5 |
| I will grow up and become a man | 18.8 |
| My family and friends are against it | 5.9 |
| Other | 16.5 |
How long should the alternative service be?
| Answer | % of respondents |
| As long as military service | 21.6 |
| Twice as long as military service | 17.6 |
| Other | 15.4 |
| Subtotal | 54.6 |
| No response | 45.4 |
| Total | 100.0 |
The survey clearly showed a lack of knowledge about the situation regarding the right to conscientious objection in Bulgaria. This is emphasized also by the low number of objectors: According to official data, only 66 applications for conscientious objection had been made in 2003/2004, of which 60 had been accepted. 23 conscientious objectors were serving their alternative service at 11 service places.
Source: Conscientious objection as a tool for a European Consciousness. Youth Society for Peace and Development on the Balkans. Presentation at the seminar of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 17-19 June 2005.
See also: Refusing to bear arms country report on Bulgaria at http://wri-irg.org/co/rtba/bulgaria.htm.
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