By Alexander Pracht
Armenia’s Ombudsperson Anahit Manasyan raised serious concerns over a legislative proposal that would allow citizens to shorten their mandatory military service in exchange for a large payment. In a statement released Sunday, Manasyan’s office said the bill creates unequal treatment among citizens with the same legal obligations.
“Citizens who can afford the proposed amounts are effectively given preferential treatment, while those unable to afford them must fulfill their constitutional duty over a significantly longer period,” the statement read.
Manasyan warned that such a system could result in deep social stratification and violate the principle of non-discrimination based on property status. She stressed that the proposal lacks an objective justification that meets human rights standards.
The Ombudsperson also raised concerns about the impact on internal discipline in the military, questioning whether cohesion can be maintained when some soldiers are allowed to serve far shorter terms simply because they can afford to pay for the privilege.
“Will this not lead to resentment, internal conflict, and a weakening of discipline among soldiers?” the statement asked, calling for a thorough assessment of the potential risks.
The Human Rights Defender urged authorities to review the proposal in light of Armenia’s constitution and international obligations and to open the issue to broad public discussion. She also recommended considering alternative, proportionate solutions that balance national security and human rights.
Following Manasyan’s statement, Armenia’s parliamentary committee on defense cancelled a scheduled discussion on the controversial short-term military service bill on Monday.
“The session was postponed due to urgent issues that have arisen around the proposal,” said deputy committee chair Armen Khachatryan, who was presiding over the meeting that was cancelled just minutes before it was about to begin.
However, Hayk Sargsyan, a lawmaker from the ruling Civil Contract party who authored the bill, said the government still intends to pass it into law before the next conscription period in July. The cabinet approved the proposal last week, and Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has said the bill still needs technical and substantive revisions.
Under the current draft, men would be able to pay roughly $63,000 to serve just one month or $47,000 to serve four months, instead of completing the standard 24-month mandatory military service. The bill would also raise the maximum age for conscription from 27 to 32.
Similar legislation exists in many countries, where conscripts can reduce or avoid military service by paying a fee. In Turkey, for example, eligible men may opt for short-term service by making a one-time payment. Greece and Iran have also introduced systems that allow for service exemptions or reductions under certain financial conditions.
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