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The Armenian National Assembly adopted in the second reading today the amendments into the Armenian law “On Military Duty and Military Service” that abolishes draft deferments from Armenia’s mandatory military service for graduate and undergraduate students studying at the country’s state universities.

The controversial bill debated at a plenary session of the parliament on Wednesday was completely adopted with 86 votes for and 6 against.

“Yelq” opposition fraction was the only political force that voted against the proposed amendments, recalling the necessity of introducing certain modifications into the bill, considering the ongoing protest by students and the letter by 128 lecturers and science workers expressing solidarity with them.

The new amendments into the Armenian law “On Military Duty and Military Service” was initiated by the defense ministry and was adopted in the first reading by the parliament days ago. According to the proposed legislation, citizens reaching 18 years and liable for call-up are conscripted to army for compulsory service, while draft deferments are granted to only those students who would agree to undergo parallel military training and serve in the army as officers for three years after graduation.

Critics of the legislation point to the adverse impact of the new law on the education and science, suggesting the elimination of conscription deferments will prevent prospective students from professional, scientific or educational activities. Meanwhile, the proponents of the law insist the deferments are a violation of social justice. Additionally, cancelling all exemptions for compulsory service would minimize corruption risks in the military and education spheres in cases when eligible citizens would wish to avoid the army. 

Earlier, five students, four of whom have fulfilled their military service, went on a hunger strike.
“The key purpose of the hunger strike is to fight against the indifferent attitude of the society, as well as the draft law that would limit the military deferment,” one of the protesting students explained their motivation also pointing to the peaceful purpose of the protest.

As of today morning, the students are still locked in a classroom at Yerevan State University (YSU) Physics department in protest to the bill, while dozens of others walk out from classes and stage daily protests in front of the YSU building.