Amendments on buyout unacceptable - Human Rights Defender 

ArmInfo.Armenian Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan considers the legislative amendments on buying out military  service, proposed by Hayk Sargsyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract faction of the National Assembly of Armenia, and approved by the Armenian government on May 22, unacceptable.

As noted in the statement released by the office of the Ombudsman of  Armenia, the proposed changes may lead to serious social  stratification based on the property status of citizens, which in  fact violates the principle of prohibition of discrimination.

In this regard, the human rights activist recalled that according to  the amendments, citizens who are able to pay 24 or 18 million drams  will be able to serve for only 1 or 4 months, while those who do not  have this amount will be required to fulfill their constitutional  obligation for 24 months.

Manasyan emphasized that in this way, a differentiated approach will  be applied to persons with the same status. "At the same time, the  justifications for the project do not confirm the existence of  objective reasons and goals for such a distinction that correspond to  human rights standards," the human rights activist emphasized.

As Manasyan explained, the possibility of serving a shorter term of  service for money will create an unfair distribution of  constitutional and legislative obligations.

"From the point of view of social justice, such an approach is  unacceptable. Military personnel must be protected from  discrimination on any grounds related to human rights and freedoms.  In addition, the proposed provisions contain risks for ensuring  strict discipline in the army, and the protection and promotion of  human rights in the army is difficult to implement without  maintaining strict discipline among military personnel," the human  rights defender noted.

In connection with the above, the human rights defender wondered  whether the risks had been assessed, how strict and high discipline  would be ensured among military personnel, some of whom would receive  benefits only for monetary payment compared to others and would serve  for a shorter period. She also expressed concerns that this could  lead to internal contradictions and conflicts among soldiers, as well  as deepen hazing.

In this vein, Manasyan called for the issue to be considered taking  into account the constitutional and international obligations assumed  by the state, as well as for broader public discussions of the  proposed draft regulations. It is noteworthy that independent experts  have already criticized the Ombudsman for his untimely response to  this scandalous legislative initiative.

In turn, the member of the Armenian parliament from the opposition  faction "Armenia" Gegham Manukyan noted in a conversation with  journalists that the negative assessment of the amendments to the law  was given, among other things, by the examination department of the  staff of the Armenian parliament, emphasizing that they are  unconstitutional. He also drew attention to the fact that  representatives of the current government at one time carried out  similar machinations to exempt from military service, citing as an  example the press secretary of the Yerevan mayor's office Hayk  Kostanyan, who did not go to the army because of his postgraduate  studies, but did not finish it.

The deputy emphasized that it is necessary to do everything possible  to ensure that this unconstitutional law is not adopted, since it can  destroy the country's defense and security system. "The Motherland is  not a subject of bargaining, and service is our common duty. It is  necessary to prevent the adoption of this bill, which will destroy  our defense and security system. The Motherland is not money, the  rich are "privileged", and the "village dweller" is obliged. This  must be done in the name of our country, its future, the Armed  Forces, thousands of our martyrs and those who are now defending our  positions and fulfilling their duty to the Motherland in difficult  conditions, ensuring peace for all of us," Manukyan concluded.

On May 22, the Armenian government approved the initiative of MP Hayk  Sargsyan at a regular meeting and sent it to parliament for  consideration. According to the final proposals, it is proposed to  amend the law "On Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman",  conscripts will be able to choose one of three options: serve one  month with a payment of 24 million drams, 4 months with a payment of  18 million drams, or serve the full term - 24 months, while receiving  increased allowance at the expense of funds contributed by other  categories of conscripts. And for foreign citizens who received  citizenship before the draft or draft age, it was proposed to set a  service period of 12 months or pay a state fee of 2.5 million drams.  The draft also provides for an increase in the maximum age for  military service from 27 to 32 years.  Another provision provides for  a fee of 15 million drams for men who changed citizenship before the  age of 18.