42 Deaths, 18–20 Year Olds. Roundtable on Human Rights in Armenia’s Army

The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office has published a report with statistics on the number of deaths in Armenia’s armed forces in 2010. According to the report, there were 42 deaths in the army last year, only 10 of which the country’s defense ministry issued official reports on.

Presenting its report during the Feb. 22 round table “Protection of human rights in the army” in Yerevan, representatives with the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office said the majority of incidents are the consequence of violating codes of conduct.

As reported by RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun Radio), members of the public sector participating in the round table insisted that army officers are supported and not held accountable, and that there’s an atmosphere of impunity in the army.

Defense ministry spokesperson Levon Ayvazyan said he doesn’t think there’s an environment of impunity in the army, insisting that the ministry understands very well the need to hold those guilty accountable, saying it’s a means of strengthening trust.

Tigran Muradyan, attorney of the family of Sergei Manukyan who died while serving in Armenia’s army, spoke about the circumstances surrounding Manukyan’s death.

“The officers persecuted, humiliated, abused him so much that he committed suicide. The soldier died, but one of the officers still walks free today,” he said.

The defense ministry representative countered, “There was no such incident where guilty persons were not be held accountable. As to what direction the discussion took or what facts came to light, I don’t want to discuss these here today since the ethics of service don’t allow me to.”

Responding to the views expressed, Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation–Armenia Deputy Director for Programs David Amiryan, in his remarks, said in particular, “42 dead, 18–20 years old. I find that there’s just one issue: that is a human life. Any remaining explanation, understanding, calls for constructive work — they can be derivative, possible means” (presumably, to get to the heart of the matter).