Ombudsman on Providing Benefits to Soldiers and Their Families

The Human Rights Defender has published an extraordinary report regarding the provision of benefits to soldiers and their families. The proposed benefits include, for example: the right to priority for job preservation, mandatory provision of unpaid leave, the privilege of choosing vacation time, and the right to priority in state employment programs, among others.

The adoption of the benefits developed by the Human Rights Defender's office for service members of the armed forces and other troops, as well as their family members, will have significant social importance and will contribute to the enhancement of the military service's reputation. The proposed benefits will also elevate the status of those serving or who have served in the armed forces.

The real beneficiaries of the proposed measures could include diverse categories of service members or their family members, including: a) conscript soldiers and those serving under contracts, both ranks, junior and senior officers, and their family members; b) participants in combat operations of the Republic of Armenia; c) service members who have acquired disabilities during the Republic of Armenia's defense, and the families of fallen soldiers; d) individuals who have participated or are participating in combat operations of other countries under military cooperation contracts with state authorized bodies in the defence sector of the Republic of Armenia and their family members, etc.

This extraordinary report becomes even more critical, especially in the post-war period, when guaranteeing, strengthening, and defending the rights of service members and their family members is a top priority. Military service must be valued in every possible way, and the proposed benefits will help make military service more attractive for those currently serving and their families.

The report has been prepared considering relevant international practices.