Monday, November 13 2017 13:06

ArmInfo.Students protesting the bill to cancel the deferment from compulsory military service today marched through Yerevan universities calling on their opponents who  support the adoption of this document to go out and explain their position.

During the march, students chanted "Postponement will be" and "Join".  However, none of the universities in Yerevan responded to the appeal  of the protesting students, none of their opponents came to them to  publicly enter into a debate and explain their position.

In addition, the participants of the action informed that they intend  to organize a large-scale picket in front of the National Assembly  building, when this bill will be discussed.

It is noteworthy that students and security officers of the  University of National Economy blocked the entrance to the building  for the protesters. They noted that such protest actions hinder the  conduct of lessons.

On the way to the Yerevan Medical University, students blocked  traffic on Isahakyan Street. However, the movement was soon restored.

Upon returning from the National Polytechnic University, students  blocked traffic on Teryan street.

Initially only students of Yerevan State University held the  protests, but today students from other universities joined them.

Meanwhile, the Student Council of the YSU earlier stated in which it  spoke in favor of passing a bill to cancel the postponement of  compulsory military service. Members of the Student Council also  argued that opponents of the bill are a minority.

The rallies are going on for 5 days already. On November 9, Prime  Minister Karen Karapetyan received students, Minister of Education  and Science Levon Mkrtchyan and Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan  participated in the meeting. 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. Then on November 10, students  held a protest near the National Assembly building, when the bill was  to be discussed.  However, due to a strange coincidence, the meeting  did not take place due to the absence of a quorum. It was held late  at night, when the students parted. 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 circles 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.  It is planned that the bill will be considered and adopted during the  current session of parliament this week.