And this problem, with today's settlements, will become unsolvable after December 31, 2019, and it is primarily one of opportunity to return to the homeland.
As we mentioned earlier, the RA Law "On Citizens Who Have Not Passed Compulsory Military Service" in violation of the established order will no longer be amended to extend the validity of the law and this was recently confirmed by the Deputy Minister of Defense.
Under that law, by paying a fee (200,000 AMD for each conscription missed), a citizen was exempted from the responsibility at the age of 27 and could return to Armenia, and December 31, 2019 is the deadline.
What is the situation now, if citizens who have not completed compulsory military service after January 1, 2020, will simply be subject to criminal liability (sentenced to imprisonment for a maximum of two months, or imprisonment for up to three years?). Even more, an attempt was made to remove the statute of limitations for criminal liability, which fortunately is not in circulation today ...
The situation is actually quite problematic today, with thousands of citizens being charged and wanted. The Law Office receives letters from many citizens abroad about this issue, what will happen to them if they return to their homeland? The issue is particularly pressing for compatriots who have obtained citizenship in Russia, where military service is also mandatory and there is no bilateral agreement. In fact, there is an obligation to perform compulsory service in both countries.
The draft presented by the NA deputy Hayk Sargsyan (preliminary version of the draft) offers an opportunity for all, expedited military service for a period of one month with the payment of 10.000.000 million AMD.
Today, many citizens are spending money to acquire citizenship of another country and are refusing RA citizenship, trying to get out of service on the pretext of having health problems, the situation is causing an increase in emigration, some go abroad to study or work and do not return without paying any money at all. There are many reasons: family, children, sports, caregivers, well-paid work, loans, and so on.
If the draft is adopted, the number of contract servicemen will increase, their social status will be improved, many citizens will be able to return to their homeland and contribute to economic development.
The draft does not recommend abolishing regular army or compulsory military service. It is an additional opportunity to solve a problem that has existed for many years, which simply needs to be addressed. Persons who have the opportunity and the desire not to serve will still avoid compulsory military service for 24 months, as a result of which both they and the State suffer.
The project's most common criticism is that financially secure individuals may be out of service, creating inequality. Has there ever been a financial equality for everyone? Undisputable that financially-minded people have always had and will have wider opportunities, so why not use those opportunities for the benefit of others? On the contrary, 10 million drams are provided for the improvement of social status of other people being in financially unequal conditions; many citizens will be ready to enter the RA Armed Forces with a high salary contract.
As a counterargument to the draft, the Ministry of Defense notes that one month is not enough to study military service. But here again the question arises: what percentage of those citizens acquainted with the military service at all.? The vast majority had previously waited for the age of 27 and either paid the statutory sum and had not even served in the army for one month or even paid the sum and did not return to Armenia to this day. Otherwise they return when the statute of limitations expires.
In the world there are few (about 26) countries with compulsory military service, and it tends to decrease. Of course, it is too early to talk about the refusal of compulsory military service, but the dynamics of providing such opportunities are obvious.
Examples
In Turkey, where the service is also mandatory, new changes will create the opportunity to pay $ 2,430 for 21 days of accelerated service.
In Syria. The exemption fee for individuals residing abroad for a period of not less than 4 years is $ 8,000, and compensation for those born in an Arab or foreign country before becoming 18 years of age is $ 2,500.
https://www.refworld.org/docid/54042353a.html
In Kazakhstan: One-month accelerated military training for a fee
https://egov.kz/cms/ru/articles/military_service/military_identification_card_for_a_month
Military service in Greece is compulsory, but persons who have resided abroad for at least 11 years or have resided abroad for at least seven years due to family conditions may be exempt from compulsory military service.
https://gr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/military-obligations/
All interested citizens can turn to MP Hayk Sargsyan in support of the project
Attorney Mr. Shavarsh Petakchyan