Conscription in the Netherlands
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The conscription in the Netherlands (Dutch: dienstplicht) was first employed in 1810 by the French occupiers under Louis Bonaparte. Every man aged 20 years or older had to enlist. By means of drawing lots it was decided who had to take service in the French army. It was possible to arrange a substitute against payment.
Later on the conscription was used for all men older than 18. Postponement was possible, for example because of a study. Conscientious objectors could perform an alternative civilian service instead of a military service.
Because of several reasons the forced military service was criticized at the end of the 20th century. Since the Cold War was over, so was the direct threat of a war. Instead of that the Dutch army was more and more often employed in peacekeeping operations. The complexity and danger of these missions made the use of conscripts controversial. Furthermore the conscription was thought to be unfair as only men were drafted.
In the Netherlands the compulsory attendance is officially suspended since 1 May 1997. Between 1991 and 1996, the Dutch armed forces phased out their conscript personnel and converted to an all-volunteer force. The last conscript troops were inducted in 1995 and demobilized in 1996. The suspension means that citizens are no longer forced to take service in the military, as long as it is not required for the safety of the country. Since then, the Dutch army is an all-volunteer force. But even today every male citizen aged 17 gets a letter in which he is told that he has been registered, but he does not have to show up.
A lot of people think the conscription has been abolished. The compulsory attendance was abolished, not the conscription. The laws and systems which provide for the conscription of armed forces personnel still remain in place.
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