Protest Against War: When is Loyalty – when is Disagreement a Moral Obligation

On September 1, 2025, the "Moers - St. Anna di Stazzema Twinning Association e.V." is hosting a thought-provoking panel discussion in the conference hall of the Old District Office at Kastellplatz, Moers. The event, taking place on International Day of Peace, is being funded by the Fachstelle für Demokratie of the city of Moers, within the "NRWeltoffen" program of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The discussion, which starts at 7:00 PM with admission from 6:30 PM, is being held in light of the reintroduction of conscription being discussed in the German military due to an increasing threat level. The topic of the panel discussion is the question of whether soldiers can be resilient against war crimes.

Panelists for the discussion include Superintendent Wolfram Syben, Michael Heidinger, and a Captain (ret.) of the German Navy. The event is a timely reminder of the atrocities that can occur during war, with the massacre in St. Anna di Stazzema serving as a stark example. On August 12, 1944, in the mountain village of St. Anna di Stazzema, Italy, 560 people were killed in a massacre by German soldiers of the Wehrmacht and SS.

The panel discussion comes 72 years after Heinrich Himmler spoke about "killing decently" at an SS leaders' conference in Posen on October 4, 1943. The event serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of addressing the question of whether soldiers can be resilient against war crimes.

In a world where wars can bring back war crimes, even to Europe after a long period of peace, the panel discussion promises to be a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation on the moral and ethical responsibilities of soldiers in times of conflict.

The jazz band "Braun! Schweug!" with the singer Jake Muffett from the United Kingdom was founded in 2014 and will be providing music for the event. The panel discussion is a unique opportunity to engage with experts and reflect on the complexities of war and peace. Attendees are encouraged to join the discussion and contribute to the important conversation.