Alternative (Non-Military) Service In Armenia: Experience For Ukraine

The article analyses the historical conditions for the formation and development of alternative (non-military) service in Armenia, as well as the current legislative mechanisms and practical experience of its application. The authors describe the history of the emergence and development of the institute of alternative service in Armenia. Particular attention is paid to the influence of state institutions and religious organisations on the decision to refuse military service on grounds of conscience, as well as to the specifics of the activities of various religious organisations under martial law. The authors reveal the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church as the national church and demonstrate how the freedom of activity of other religious organisations registered in Armenia is ensured. The authors emphasise the significant impact of the decisions of international judicial institutions whose jurisdiction is recognised by Armenia, as well as the conclusions of international human rights organisations on the development of the institute of alternative service in this country. Based on Armenia's experience, the authors offer a number of recommendations for Ukraine seeking to improve its national legislation on alternative (non-military) service. Based on the results of a detailed analysis of the peculiarities of the procedure for performing two different forms of alternative service (alternative military service and alternative labour service) in Armenia, the authors show that this approach allows for a more complete consideration of the interests of both the state and citizens who have religious beliefs incompatible with traditional military service. The authors conclude that it is possible to amend the legislation of Ukraine on alternative (non-military) service to introduce several types of alternative service for different categories of citizens depending on the specifics of their religious beliefs. This is extremely relevant for Ukraine, given the Russian-Ukrainian war. The institutional expansion of the range of forms for the Motherland’s defence can significantly strengthen the defence capability of the state and at the same time guarantee the exercise of everyone's right to freedom of conscience and religion.