Armenia

Previous reports: 2024 | 2023/24

Principal EBCO concerns

• Alternative service is punitive and discriminatory, inter alia, in terms of longer duration and insufficient compensation.

• Conscientious objectors are subjected to inquiry and are discriminated against when applying on ideological grounds.

• No recognition of the right to conscientious objection during or after military service.

• Military-themed activities take place in schools with the involvement of the Armed Forces.

Based on public information and the Ombudsman of Armenia reply to the EBCO questionnaire:

Developments

An amendment that reduces the compulsory military service term from 24 months to 18 months entered into force on 1 January 2026.²

A draft bill submitted to the parliament by MP Hayk Sargsyan is aimed at repatriating draft dodgers aged 27 to 37. The proposal offers five options: a) return to Armenia voluntarily and serve for 24 months, b) serve for 12 months and pay 2.5 million AMD (around 5,600€), c) serve for 6 months and pay 5 million AMD (~11,200€), d) serve for 1 month and pay 8 million AMD (~17,900€), or e) pay 15 million AMD (~33,500€) and get a total exemption.

Conscription provisions and procedures

Article 14, paragraph 3 of the Constitution reads “Every citizen shall be obliged to take part, as prescribed by law, in the defence of the Republic of Armenia.”³

The Law “On Military Service and the Status of Servicemen”⁴ defines the types of military service, eligibility criteria, age limits, duration of service, grounds for deferment and exemption, and the rights and legal status of conscripts.

Reserve service

Reservists must notify the authorities of any change of residence within seven days, as well as show up, upon receipt of a duly issued summons, for medical examinations and training (refresher) assemblies of up to 25 days.

Conscientious objection provisions and procedures

Article 41, paragraph 3 of the Constitution reads “Every citizen shall have the right to replace military service with alternative service, as prescribed by law, if it contradicts the religious faith or belief thereof.”⁵ Conscientious objection to compulsory military service is governed by the Law “On Alternative Service”.⁶

By law, conscripts must be briefed on their rights and obligations, including the right to refuse to bear arms and to choose alternative service in cases where it contradicts their conscience or religious beliefs, which is done through military commissariats during the stages of military registration or the delivery of conscription notices. Information is also available on the website of the Ministry of Defense and information boards about the deadlines for submitting applications and the list of required documents.

Applications for alternative service are examined by the Republican Commission on Alternative Service Issues which “assesses and confirms the existence of the relevant convictions” and is composed of one representative from each of the state administration bodies in the fields of territorial administration, justice, healthcare, labour and social affairs, education and science, police, and defence, as well as from the subdivision of the Prime Minister's Staff coordinating the areas of national minorities and religion. The individual composition is approved by the Prime Minister.

According to the Ministry of Defence, in 2024 there were 32 applications for alternative service of which 27 were approved and 5 rejected. Between 2013 and July 2024, 561 citizens were assigned to alternative civilian (labour) service.

The decisions of the commission can be countered with an administrative appeal, or a judicial appeal. Referring to the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) is also possible, provided that no application has been submitted to a court.

Upon approval by the commission, individuals may be assigned to one of the following forms of alternative service:

Alternative military service

Performed within the armed forces in the form of economic or maintenance-related tasks within the military unit (e.g. in kitchens, warehouses, or construction squads) without participating in combat duty, carrying or using weapons, for a duration of 30 months.

In that case they receive a monthly monetary allowance equal to that of conscripts.

Alternative civilian (labour) service

Performed outside the armed forces in civilian institutions for a duration of 36 months. In that case they receive a monthly monetary allowance of no more than AMD 30,000 (~67€).

Such institutions can be care centers, nursing homes, boarding houses for the elderly, psychiatric hospitals and dispensaries, orphanages or centers for persons with disabilities, emergency rescue service units, or sanitation and communal services. Placements are assigned by the Republican Committee without the applicant being able to freely choose.

The place of service must be within a distance of 30 km from the person’s place of registration.

Individuals who perform alternative service are supervised by the healthcare and social institutions (daily work of the serviceman, maintain attendance logs, ensure labour discipline), whereas the police and the Ministry of Justice have supervisory powers to ensure that they do not abandon the place of service and fulfill their duties; in the event of violations, they prepare the necessary materials for legal liability.

Persons who refuse both mandatory military and alternative service face criminal liability under Article 461 of the Criminal Code, punishable by imprisonment for 3 to 6 years.

Voluntary recruitment

Voluntary and contract service in Armenia are mainly regulated by the Law "On Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman" and the Law "On Defence".

The duration of contract service is 5 years, of women’s voluntary service is 6 months, and of reserve officers is 24 months.

Following the introduction of the “Defender of the Homeland” (“Pashtpan Hayrenyats”) programme, there has been an increased interest in contractual service. This is largely attributable to the opportunity, after completion of the first six months of compulsory military service, to transfer to contractual service offering significantly higher remuneration (up to AMD 400,000–500,000, depending on location and combat duty) and a one-time bonus of AMD 5 million (~11,200€) upon completion of a five-year service term.

The “Pativ Unem” programme grants participants the right to deferment from compulsory military service, and full reimbursement of tuition fees for higher educational institutions. After completing university and military training as such, the recruit is awarded the rank of lieutenant and a contract as a junior officer. Graduates of military educational institutions are provided with free education and preferential housing programs.

The “Affordable Housing for Servicemen” mortgage programme provides state subsidies for interest rates and part of the down payment.

Conscientious objection during and after military service

No recognition of the right to conscientious objection exists for those serving military service. Same applies to reservists.

Militarisation of the education system

Pre-military training is conducted in general education schools, primary vocational (vocational) and secondary vocational educational institutions.

The curriculum of all general education schools includes "Initial Military Training" (usually in grades 8-12) as a mandatory subject, including events carried out within its framework such as visits to military units or events aimed at promoting a military career. The subject is taught by military leaders, i.e. reserve officers or individuals with military service experience, who are permanently employed with schools.

According to Article 20 of the Law "On Defence", officials of educational institutions are obliged to: 1) maintain a register of conscripts, submit lists of persons subject to military registration to the military commissariats of their place of registration, as well as provide information on deregistration from the community's place of residence or admission to work (educational institution), transfer, dismissal, 2) notify conscripts of being called up to the military commissariat at the commissariat’s request, 3) dismiss conscripts from work or education for the necessary period specified in the notification of compulsory military service or the military commissariat.

1. Military expenditure figures are estimates published by SIPRI (The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) in April 2026.↩︎
2. Law HO-405-N of 16 December 2025. https://www.arlis.am/en/acts/218365/latest↩︎
3. https://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015↩︎
4. Law HO-195-N of 15 November 2017, as amended.↩︎
5. https://www.president.am/en/constitution-2015↩︎
6. Law HO-6-N of 17 December 2003, as amended.↩︎