ArmInfo. Armenian Ombudsman's Office has made a statement related to the draft law "On compensation for harm to life or health of servicemen defending the Republic of Armenia".
"The draft law developed by the Defense Ministry has sparked wide public outcry. Active public discussions on the draft law are ongoing demonstrating that there is a task to ensure public trust towards the issue. Ensuring confidence towards the draft has exclusive importance on the current stage considering legitimacy of the presented system and its further appliance", the statement of the Ombudsman's Office received by ArmInfo reads.
At the same time the Ombudsman's Office considers that a number of measures should be taken related to the criticism and concerns, which the draft law has raised. Particularly, it is necessary to hold wide public discussions, involving mass media and study all the issues arising concerns, ensure maximal transparency of the future Fund. The Fund's reports should be published and its work should be controlled by the civil society. At the same time it is mentioned that all these measures should be formalized in legislation.
To note, according to the draft the families of the killed and first degree handicapped individuals will receive a onetime compensation of 10 million AMD. The families of the second degree handicapped servicemen will receive a onetime compensation of 5 million AMD. Monthly compensations in case of death of the serviceman or the first degree handicap will make 300,000 AMD for the officers, 250,000 AMD for the junior officers and 200,000 for the privates. In case of becoming the second degree handicap, the compensations will respectively make 200,000; 150,000; and 100,000 AMD. That amount, in the form of insurance benefit, will be paid out for 20 years, which will make 82 million AMD for the officers, 70 million AMD for the junior officer staff, and 58 million AMD for the privates. The program will be financed through a special fund to which every working person will monthly contribute one thousand AMD.