Armenian Ombudsperson: The state is responsible for the health of  Armenian servicemen

ArmInfo.The responsibility for the health servicemen, whether they have pre-existing conditions or develop them during their military service, lies with the state. On May 13, Armenian Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan made this statement while speaking in parliament. She evaded the question of whether there are statistics available on whether conscripts are more prone to entering service with illnesses or developing them during their time in the military.

The human rights defender explained that this information should be important for the state, as it will provide a better understanding of who is responsible for addressing this problem. "But even in this case, it is the state's responsibility, and it must be able to use its resources to resolve these issues," Manasyan added.

The human rights defender also noted that the Human Rights Defender's Office does not keep its own statistics on this matter, but relies on data provided by other bodies. She clarified that the Armenian Ombudsman's Office only  records cases that are submitted as complaints, as they lack the necessary tools to conduct investigations.

Additionally, Manasyan acknowledged that protecting the right to life of military personnel is one of the most important issues in Armenia, a country currently facing many challenges. "We receive many complaints on this topic, and often, when we intervene, the problem gets resolved. However, these issues require a systemic approach and should not be addressed only on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it is important to focus on enhancing the healthcare and medical care system," Manasyan concluded.