No Decrease in Military Suicides: Naira Zohrabyan

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN, a member of the Armenian National Assembly from the Prosperous Armenia faction, stated on her Facebook page: "From now on, those who humiliate soldiers and incite them to suicide will face imprisonment of up to 14 years. It is a painful fact, but there is no decrease in suicide rates in the army.

Every year, due to non-statutory relations, we lose more soldiers than we do from enemy fire. Additionally, the culture of humiliation and degradation within the military results in 9 to 10 suicides annually.

In 2019 alone, we have tragically seen 10 suicides. The current Article 110 of our Criminal Code, which addresses inciting suicide, prescribes only three years of imprisonment. This is unjust, and together with my colleagues, I have proposed amendments to our Criminal Code.

Now, anyone who humiliates, tortures, or degrades a soldier—leading to that soldier's, or their own, suicide—will face imprisonment of 6 to 12 years, and during times of military emergency or conflict, up to 14 years of imprisonment.

I understand that nothing will heal the grief of a mother whose child has been humiliated and driven to suicide, but I am confident that such an increase in penalties will awaken those who humiliate and degrade soldiers at the expense of another soldier’s dignity.

The state-legal committee unanimously voted in favor of the proposal. I have no doubt that the parliament will do the same tomorrow. This is an essential law. The dignity of our soldiers is the dignity of each one of us."