Ara Papyan: Army empowerment is being linked to number
It is already the fifth day that students in Yerevan went out to the streets to protest against the limitation of the right to an academic procrastination, under the draft law on Military Service and Servicemen's Status. Political analyst Ara Papyan and lecturer Larisa Alaverdyan, Chairperson of the Against Violations Foundation, spoke about the law that has been the cause of fierce discussions. Larisa Alaverdyan said that the reason why students went on strikes was the fear to serve in the army. There were number of citizens who did not consider serving in the army as their business. "It is of no secret that for many years, the teaching staff of universities have been able to provide their children with places in graduate and postgraduate programs, by injustice means, and help them to avoid military service," said Larisa Alaverdyan. Ara Papian said that he believed that the government of our country would not be able to achieve the goals it had tend to accomplish. The steps taken to restore the justice prescribed by law would create new roadblocks to avoid service. "The already started process promotes emigration, which is a serious cause of concern. Parents of teenagers, fearing for their children's future, are already taking them out of the country," said Ara Papyan. Larisa Alaverdyan thought that the law did not challenge the emerging science, because it did not steal brains, as this way or another, there were no brilliant young scientists in our universities. The other speaker partially agreed with that allegation, if the student wanted to study, he would definitely learn, even after serving in the army. "Unfortunately, the strengthening of the army is not relate to the introduction of new technologies, but the increase in the number of people, which is dangerous in itself." The speakers agreed that serving in the army should be a mandatory condition for having a public office.
