Human Rights Defender on Proposed Short-Term Military Service for Money

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, finds the project concerning short-term military service for money problematic. This was reported by the Office of the Human Rights Defender.

The proposals suggest that by paying 18 or 24 million drams, individuals could serve in the military for 1 or 4 months, respectively. According to Manasyan, the Human Rights Defender's staff has received numerous complaints from citizens regarding these proposals.

"The proposed regulations can create serious social stratification based on the property status of individuals, effectively violating the principle of non-discrimination. Only citizens who can afford to pay 24 or 18 million drams will be able to serve for 1 or 4 months, while those who cannot pay this amount will have to fulfill their constitutional obligation for a longer period of 24 months," noted Manasyan.

She emphasized that this results in different treatment for individuals in the same situation, and the justifications for the project do not provide objective grounds that meet human rights standards. The Human Rights Defender stated that actually serving a shorter term for money will lead to an unjust distribution of constitutional and legislative duties; financially secure servicemen would be allowed to serve a shorter term, while those without the stipulated funds would serve longer.

"From a social justice perspective, this approach cannot be deemed acceptable. Servicemen should be free from any discrimination regarding human rights and freedoms. Moreover, it is unacceptable to condition the provision of certain privileges solely based on financial status, specifically the ability to pay 18 or 24 million drams," said the Human Rights Defender.

Additionally, the proposed regulations pose risks from the standpoint of ensuring strict discipline in the military. The question arises whether the risks have been assessed and how strict, high-level discipline will be maintained among servicemen, some of whom will receive a privilege only for paying money and serving a shorter term. Could this lead to internal conflicts and tensions among soldiers and non-statutory relations?

The Human Rights Defender suggests that the issue should be considered in light of constitutional and international obligations undertaken by the state, as well as conducting broader public discussions on the proposed regulations. Manasyan will address all existing concerns regarding the projects to the relevant state authorities.

The proposals aimed at exempting military service in exchange for money are unconstitutional. It is noteworthy that the draft bill on changes to military service proposes mandatory military service for just 1 month in exchange for 24 million drams or 4 months of service in exchange for 18 million drams. A state fee of 15 million drams is proposed for renouncing Armenian citizenship before reaching the age of 16. The maximum age for mandatory military service is set to be 32 years. This has been proposed by ruling bloc MP Hayk Sargsyan. The draft bill received a positive conclusion from the government on May 22 and will soon be presented for discussion in the National Assembly.