Geweld tegen dienstplichtigen in het leger

In Armenia, military conscription is compulsory for male citizens aged between 18 and 27. Conscripts are called up twice a year. Conscripts make up approximately half of the army. The army and compulsory military service play an integral role in the lives of thousands of young men every year. There is a limited possibility of performing alternative service on the basis of religious belief.

Armenians in the diaspora are also, in principle, required to complete their military service. However, Cedoca was unable to find precise data on the number of people from the diaspora who actually return to Armenia for military service.

The army enjoys a high level of public trust, and for some Armenians, conscription is a positive experience. However, there are also instances of conscription evasion. Conscription can also be avoided through payment as the Armenian government allows individuals to buy out of military service in full or in part.

Various sources indicate that there are reports of violent incidents within the Armenian army during peacetime. These include severe bullying, physical and psychological violence, fatal accidents and suicides in unclear circumstances. These practices are partly the result of breaches of safety regulations and discipline, and partly the product of the tradition of dedovshchina — the often violent bullying and hazing of conscripts by fellow soldiers — which originated in the Soviet era. There is also a culture of silence surrounding this issue. Sources indicate that certain groups are at greater risk of becoming victims of these so-called non-statutory relationships. These include sexual and gender minorities, as well as individuals identified as defenceless.

Statistics on the number of deaths outside combat situations in the army are one of the few indicators of the situation regarding non-regulatory relations within the military. According to data from human rights organisations, these figures have shown a downward trend in recent years.

In recent years, the Armenian government has implemented a number of reforms  and is introducing preventive measures to eradicate non-statutory relationships within the armed forces. Monitoring by human rights organisations suggests that although there have been positive changes, problems remain. For example, although the government has set up a hotline for reporting abuse, it does not appear to be functioning properly yet. There are also shortcomings in the prosecution of perpetrators of abuse within the army. Although the government launches investigations into incidents of violence, these have not yet resulted in criminal convictions. In some cases, instances of malpractice within the army have also been covered up.

Several human rights organisations provide legal assistance to victims of abuse in the army and their families.