For,and not against, the army
As a part of the Conflict Transformation Seminar (March 25 – April 1) initiated by Peace Dialogue NGO in Tsakhkadzor, a discussion with a representative of the Army in Reality civic initiative was held. The representative, Tsovinar Nazaryan, described the group’s activity to the participants of the training and answered their questions. It became clear that all the participants, whether male or female, know or knew someone who served or is serving in the army. There were even participants who felt as if they were actually serving in the army, themselves, because they were so worried about their friends and relatives in that situation.
Svetlana Jahangiryan, a participant in the discussion from Stepanakert, felt that the main reason for the problems existing in the army are the soldiers’ unpreparedness to serve in the army and lack of awareness of their rights.
According to Edgar Khachatryan of Peace Dialogue NGO, the discussion on the situation in the army was a logical follow-up to the Conflict Transformation training because the focal point of the training was the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “It is very important to us to talk about the situation in the army, especially the issue of high mortality in non-war conditions,”says Khachatryan. “In addition to making our participants aware of the problem, we gave them an opportunity to think it over in the context of the knowledge acquired in the workshop. We are trying to bolster their civic activism.”
The Army in Reality Facebook page has about 400 members but, according to Nazaryan, only 30-40 members are very active. There are individuals involved, as well as representatives of different organizations. The initiative is an internet-based, horizontal structure where everyone is equal and people work under the motto “everyone is responsible.” It has become very active since August of last year and it is struggling to eliminate extralegal relations, capricious behavior, crimes, and the cover-up of crimes.
Tsovinar Nazaryan notes that there have been some changes over time. The Investigation Department of the Defense Ministry has opened an Information Bureau that publishes information about cases brought to the Department.
At this time, Army in Reality is trying to create a demand in society that will be satisfied by the country. They are beginning with the taboo of speaking about the problems with the army. Years ago, no one would talk about the problem. It seemed that everything was wonderful and that there was no problem except the fabricated “heroic stories.”
Tsovinar opposes the opinion that the army is society’s mirror. Instead, she notes that it is actually the state’s mirror. “The law of the jungle reigns in the army. Either you will do harm to me, or I will do harm to you. One is either a victim or an executioner. And people prefer to be executioners.”
By Lusine Poghosyan
Posted 04 April, 2012
