ArmInfo. Students of the Yerevan State University hold a rally in front of the parliament, demanding the withdrawal of the bill to cancel the deferment of compulsory military service.
Currently, the parliamentary commission on defense, national security and internal affairs is discussing this bill with the participation of Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan. Students try to contact the elected representatives of the people by phone, but in vain, their calls remain unanswered.
On the eve, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received the students, the Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan and Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan. They tried to persuade students in the advisability of legislative initiative, but in vain. The students were not convinced by the arguments of high-ranking officials, and they decided to continue the strike. Earlier, the students rejected Vigen Sargsyan's invitation to meet.
The document provides for the complete abolition of the deferment of compulsory military service for all male persons who have reached the age of 18 and who do not have health problems incompatible with military service. Vigen Sargsyan and Levon Mkrtchyan as well as the ruling establishment believe that the adoption of this document will not affect the system and the quality of education, meanwhile the protesting students adhere to the cardinally opposite point of view. RPA Press Secretary Eduard Sharmazanov, following the meeting of the party's executive body, said that the protest actions of the students did not affect the position of the authorities and its determination to pass the bill.