Perversion of the army
00:00, October 2, 2010 | News | Rights of Soldiers/Recruits | Armed Forces
In an interview with Lragir.am, well-known human rights activist Arthur Sakunts expressed concern about the situation in the army.
Commenting on the frequent cases of suicides and murders in the army, Arthur Sakunts noted that the incidents happened before too, just the Ministry of Defense tried possibly not to speak about it. The crisis in the army, unlike other areas, appears, unfortunately, in the form of human life losses, human rights activist noted. And we learn about bullying and violence only in case of death.
I think that the military elite have no motivation to monitor the situation in the army and to deal with its problems, because the elite are engaged in business. In addition, the level of social security of non-commissioned officers sharply reduced, says Arthur Sakunts. There are cases of attacks on officers, because not all the officers are involved in the corrupt system. In these circumstances, soldiers remain abandoned, causing a similar situation.
The level of anarchy increased, and this is reflected in the increasing number of crimes. On the other hand, the relationship between the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense is not so straightforward. In the draft on a new law on internal discipline there is no word about the responsibility of high command, said Sakunts. There is no mechanism of bringing to responsibility the chief staff. Even the authors of the project understand that the Chief of Staff is not under the Minister of Defense.
Human rights activist believes that law enforcement agencies – police and army – are on their way of perversion, they have been spoiled. They were used on March 1 to dispel peaceful demonstrations, and then threw away, causing anarchy.
The minister either does not control the situation, or decided to cover the crimes of his subordinates. Such an approach is inherent to a weak leader, says Sakunts. Meanwhile, responsibility for the life of every soldier is on the minister. He does not want victims, but he cannot do anything. Although he could resign or take drastic steps, but he cannot do that. As for layoffs, which allow criminals to avoid criminal liability, according to Arthur Sakunts, Seyran Ohanyan knows that the murders suppose criminal prosecution. But the minister is either unable to bring these people to responsibility, or he just covers up the criminals.
Arthur Sakunts noticed that the army has a mechanism of protection. After Serge Sargsyan, all other defense ministers were simply the Queen of England, said human rights activist. Sargsyan did not allow ministers to succeed, and he continues to patronize the generals who are loyal to him. Army patronizes not only ministers and their children, but the mistresses and their children. What the minister can do in this situation, asks the human rights activist.
He noted that, as the general commander of the troops, Serge Sargsyan has direct responsibility. Army, as an economic mechanism, the generals and their business are a political platform for Serge Sargsyan, who does not care about human lives.
Arthur Sakunts advised not to distinguish between army corruption and corruption in other spheres of life. Right army secures the universal corruption mechanism.
Human rights activist believes that the parliamentary committee on defense and security was obliged, after high-profile cases, to organize hearings and require an explanation. Many victims and their taken away right to life should compel the Ombudsman to express a clear position. But he felt that they should not touch the army. But the army is a living organism, and it is necessary to speak publicly, says Arthur Sakunts. Military prosecutors have also had to provide the public with full information. It turns out that we pay to the Ombudsman, MPs, military prosecutor’s office, but they do not perform their duties, human rights activist said. The minister should resign, and the military prosecutor should be fired, he said.
Here we are sitting and talking, but I have no guarantee that at this moment nothing bad is happening, because there are no guarantees. I believe that the necessary public actions, pickets, debates, rallies and marches are necessary. Social atmosphere should be redefined in the movement with the requirement that measures are taken. This is the only way to combat inactivity, said Arthur Sakunts.