Soldier’s Mother monitors situation among alternative servicemen

ArmenPress
Feb 3 2005
SOLDIER’S MOTHER MONITORS SITUATION AMONG ALTERNATIVE SERVICEMEN
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 3, ARMENPRESS: A non-governmental organization
called Soldier’s Mother will unveil in March the findings of a
monitoring of the situation in several hospitals and old people
homes, the destination of males who refused mandatory military
service in ordinary units choosing instead the so-called alternative
service.
Greta Mirzoyan, the chairwoman of the organization, said
alternative servicemen in some places face what she said is “the
humiliating treatment on part of hospitals’ personnel.” Very often
alternative servicemen are forced to carry out “degrading’ work.
Alternative service is chosen mainly by members of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, who are allowed to quit alternative service after six
months and join regular military units. According to military
officials, some 20 conscripts have chosen alternative military
service.