Recruits' Rights

On November 15, 2008 the second TV broadcast was held in ,,Lori TV°°, Vanadzor, on the topic of problems of the recruits and their relatives during the autumn call-up.

At the beginning of the broadcast Arthur Sakunts presented the televiewers the main goal of the project «Formation of civil control over the call-upե, that has been implemented by HCA Vanadzor office since April 1, 2008. The goal of the project is the formation of the mechanisms of civil control over the armed forces. Arthur Sakunts also presented the legislative norms, regulating the process of recruitment, that are aimed at informing the recruits and their relatives about their rights and duties.
  ,,The structure of the armed forces starts from call-up – the first stage – that is why our task is to investigate that very stage'',- stated Arthur Sakunts.
  During the live broadcast the citizens had opportunity to get consultation over problems troubling them. Their questions mainly touched upon recruits' state of health. They particularly concerned the fact, that the conclusions of doctors during medical examination of the recruits did not often correspond to their real state of health.
Those citizens, who had problems for further examination, were advised to visit HCA Vanadzor office.
  ,,The results of our investigations during the spring call-up showed, that unfortunately our young men do not have any background about their rights and duties, as well as about the order of medical examination,,- noted the coordinator of the project.

According to Sakunts's words, the HCA Vanadzor office has involved an independent doctor-expert and a lawyer in the project. The citizens have the opportunity to consult the expert and lawyer in case of non-coordination between the real state of health of the recruits and the conclusions of medical commission during the call-up.
  During the broadcast the investigation results of spring call-up were also briefly presented. On the basis of these results a report was made and delivered to the corresponding competent structures, which gave 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 this report will be brought up for public discussion. «By involving the civil field we expect to favour the development of legal sphere , its transparency, clarity and forseeability''- declared Arthur Sakunts at the end.
  It is due to mention, that the TV broadcast was held within the framework of the project ,,Formation of civil control over the call-up'', that is implemented by HCA Vanadzor office by financial assistance of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation-Armenia.
  Within the framework of the project we plan to hold similar TV broadcasts in the Region of Lori, particularly by the local TV companies of Stepanavan and Tashir.