Army problems discussed in National Assembly
Hrayr Karapetyan, Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, today convoked a working meeting with parliamentarians and representatives of Defense Ministry, Ombudsman's Office, OSCE Office in Yerevan and human rights organizations. The closed-door meeting focused on increasing non-combat deaths and violent incidents in the Armenian army.
"Hrair Karapetyan presented the legislative amendments to the laws on conscription and military service. He stressed public awareness and application of the aforesaid laws in order to prevent illegal and criminal phenomena in the army," the NA press service reports.
According to Defense Military officials, killings have sharply decreased in the army. At the same time, they expressed concern over non-combat deaths, saying the Ministry is taking drastic measures to disclose and prevent tragic incidents in the army.
They confessed that they seek public support to prevent further crimes in the army.
Human rights organizations said that army incidents cause public outcry due to the lack of information and suggested introducing human rights mechanisms that will protect soldiers' rights.
Defense Military officials expressed readiness to intensify cooperation and discussions with NGOs.
