Recruits’ Rights During Autumn Call-up.

On November 10, 2008, the first TV broadcast was organized in „Ankyun + 3”, Alaverdi, on the topic of problems of recruits and their relatives during autumn recruitment.

The coordinstor of the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Arthur Sakunts and the member of Armenian Advocates Palace, advocate Karen Tumanyan took part in the TV broadcast.
  At the beginning of the broadcast Arthur Sakuts presentd the televiewers the main goal of the project „Formation of the civil control over the recruitment”, that is implemented by HCA Vanadzor office since April 1, 2008. Sakunts also presented their further activities, legislative norms, regulating the process of recruitment, that are aimed at informing the recruits and their relatives about their rights and duties.
  During the broadcast Arthur Sakunts and Karen Tumanyan answered about 5-6 questions raised by the citizens. The questions mainly concerned the opportunity of recruits to get draft deferment, as well the military service of those citizens, who live abroad. At the same time the citizens gave alarm, concerning the fact that the conclusions of doctors during the examination did not often correspond to reality.
  During the TV broadcast the televiewers had opportunity to get legal consultation over problems troubling them. Those citizens, who had problems for further examination were advised to visit HCA Vanadzor office or its representative office in Alaverdi.
  Arthur Sakunts informed, that HCA Vanadzor office cooperates with an independent doctor-expert. The citizens have the opportunity to consult that expert in case of non-coordination between recruits’ health problems and conclusion of the medical commission. „We try to compare the conclusion of our expert with that of the doctor’s to find out whether they correspond to reality or not. By implementing this method we will favour the transparency, clarity and foreseeability of the system”, -declares Arthur Sakunts.
  During the broadcast the investigation results of spring recruitment were also briefly presented. On the basis of these results a report was made and delivered to the corresponding competent structures, which gave us certain responses.
The results of currently implemented investigations will be presented to the Ministry of Defence. A complete report will be made on the basis of proposals, commentaries and total results, then the report will be brought up for public discussion.
„The main goal of all the mentioned is the regulation of legislative field. There is a task to contribute to the improvement of the legislative field and its implementation”,- noted Arthur Sakunts at the end.
  We should also inform, that the TV broadcast was organized within the framework of „Formation of the civil control over the recruitment” project, that is implemented by HCA Vanadzor office by financial assistance of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation- Armenia.
  Whithin the framework of the project we plan to implement similar TV broadcasts in the Region of Lory, particularly by the local TV companies of Vanadzor, Stepanavan and Tashir.