1 / 6

At March 4 sitting, the National Assembly debated in the first reading the draft law on Military Service and Serviceman’s Status authored by the deputy of the Civil Contract deputy Hayk Sargsyan.

It is proposed to release the brothers or sons of the servicemen from the compulsory military service fallen during the war or the defense of the Republic of Armenia.

According to the MP, the fact of being the only male child in the family is also a mandatory condition of being released from the military service by functioning regulations.

“The deep respect and moral duty towards the families of our compatriots who sacrificed their life for the Motherland obliges us to give an opportunity to release the other members of their family from the compulsory military service,” the deputy underlined.

Touching upon the concerns that the amendment can cause fall of fighting ability of the armed forces or additional security problems, the author has clarified that there is no such problem, as the number of the beneficiaries is little: during the upcoming conscript 10 recruits will make use of the law, and – 17 recruits for the winter conscription, in 2023 – 11 recruits for the summer conscription, 14 recruits – for the winter conscription.”

Hayk Sargsyan has informed that at this moment 16 servicemen being in compulsory military service

will have an opportunity to be demobilized.

The family members of those left voluntary to the front and fallen, as well as the servicemen who recognized missing or missing absent also make use of the opportunity of law.

The RA Ministry of Defense proposed to differentiate the brothers and sons of the fallen during the defense of the Motherland and fallen during the service and spread the law only on the members of the servicemen’s families fallen during the defense. Hayk Sargsyan informed that he accepted the proposal of the Ministry of Defense.

In his co-report the member of the NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security Vahagn Aleksanyan presented the endorsement of the Committee.

According to the RA Deputy Minister of Defense Arman Sargsyan, there is mutual agreement with the initiator on their proposals, thus the executive body calls on to pass the draft law by taking account the submitted proposals.

In their speeches the deputies highlighted the legislative proposal and underlined its necessity especially in terms of overcoming the psychological and social problems of the families of the fallen servicemen. The issue of the organization of the educational courses for those making use of the law has been raised, in order the latter will have a command of military service skills. It has been proposed to set privileges in content for the servicemen of that group, for example, they will pass the service in the central staff or in the military unit near their locality.

Presenting the viewpoint of the Armenia Faction Seyran Ohanyan opined that every reform should be consonant with the reforms being implemented in the army. As the Head of the Faction has assessed, a perspective strategic problem is under debate and we shall think about the general readiness of the state. He considered concerning the fact that giving privileges can create additional weight for the army.

In his final speech Hayk Sargsyan touched upon the deputies’ questions and concerns.