Armenian Ombudsman offers Defence Minister chance to compile report on military deaths

Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan made a statement in connection with the tragic event at one of the military units in the city of Noyemberyan.

'In such cases, the load of responsibility lies with the investigating authorities of the Defence Minister, the military prosecutor's office and the courts which are obliged to properly investigate the case and bring to justice the perpetrators in accordance with the law', the statement says.

At the same time as the Ombudsman noted, radical changes have to be introduced in the direction of the existing concerns and suggestions.

"We offer the Minister of Defence of Armenia the chance to submit in a clear format to the National Assembly an annual report on the human rights situation in the Armed Forces and in particular, the causes of deaths and acts of violence among servicemen. Also the situation with the provision of medical services, as well as the actions of the Defence Ministry aimed at changing the situation and the results of those actions," the Ombudsman said.

According to the statement, a letter is being sent to the Minister of Defence in order to obtain clarification on the measures in connection with the incident and the officers of the Operational Response Department of the Ombudsman's Office are going to visit a wounded soldier.