Brothers of Fallen Soldiers to Be Exempt from Mandatory Service: Details

The government has approved a bill to exempt the brothers of soldiers who died in the war from mandatory military service. The amendment is aimed at the law on "Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman." Current legislation stipulates that having a deceased parent, brother, or sister is a mandatory condition for exemption, as well as being the only male child in the family.

However, the government believes that there are younger brothers of soldiers who died in the 44-day Armenian-Azerbaijani war, who are subject to mandatory military service since they are not the only male child in the family. The reasoning states, "Many of their parents are in a severe psychological and social state and do not wish to send their younger sons to military service. Out of great respect for the families of our compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the homeland, we must also provide the opportunity for other family members to be exempt from mandatory military service, which will help families of fallen soldiers better cope with psychological and social issues they face."