Recruitment – Initial Phase of Armed Forces

„Let’s not be indifferent, we want to see healthy boys serving in our armed forces, which will make the army stable and strong. We are ready to cooperate”-said Arthur Sakunts during the TV program on „Tashirk” TV in the town of Tashir, which took place on December 8, 2008. The program was about the autumn recruitment process and the problems of recruits and their families during that period.

The guest of the program were Arthur Sakunts, the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor and Karen Tumanyan, a lawyer and a member of RA Palace of Advocates.
  Arthur Sakunts presented the project „Formation of Civil Control over the Recruitment Process” being implemented since April 1, 2008, aiming to form mechanisms of civil control over armed forces. He also presented the legislative provisions regulating the process of recruitment in order to make the recruits and their families aware of their rights and responsibilities. He spoke about the monitoring results held during the spring call-up and mentioned a number of problems, such as low level of recruits’ awareness, access to the results of medical examinations, the problem of transportation when a recruit is coming to the military commissariat or to the medical examination, impossibility of access to the information about the order of medical examination and the list of illnesses, because of which the recruits are not able to make an appeal. During the program the participants discussed alternative service, too.
  The citizens had the chance to ask their questions during the program. In total there were 5 questions concerning mainly the regular holdup during the whole period of recruitment, health problems, the right to get a deferment and the military service of those Armenian citizens who live outside Armenia.
  “The recruitment process should be simple and transparent. Discontent that arises due to the inaccessibility can cause damage to the armed forces. Clarity should prevail, this is our demand”-stressed A. Sakunts.
  The viewers whose problems need to be studied were advised to visit the office of HCA Vanadzor or make a call.
  A. Sakunts informed that HCA Vanadzor involved in the project an expert-doctor and a lawyer. In case of disagreement with the results of the medical examination, as well as for legal consultation, people have the opportunity to meet with them.
  The overall results of the research will be presented to RA Ministry of Defence and based on the suggestions, comments and the overall results a report will be made and put to public discussion.
  The TV program was organized within the project „Formation of Civil Control over the Recruitment Process” implemented by HCA Vanadzor and supported by Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation – Armenia.