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Gazeta.ru

YABLOKO called the government's draft law on alternative service "discriminatory"

April 17, 2002

Chairman of the Civil Control Committee of the YABLOKO party Valeri Borschyov said that YABLOKO oppose the government's government's draft law on alternative service prepared by the Ministry of Defence. In his view, the draft virtually blocks the formation of the institution of alternative army service. In addition the four-year term envisaged in the government draft should be considered discriminatory and oppressive. Under international experience, such a term should not exceed the term of the military service more than 1.5 times. If the government's draft law is adopted, Russia will become the only country in Europe where the term for alternative service will be so long.

According to Borschyov, even though the draft law is presented by the Minister of Labour, the draft makes no mention of the social sphere and health care and focuses instead on conducting service as civil personnel in military units. YABLOKO also opposes t the principle that stipulates that the would-be-conscript has to justify his intention of civil service. This contradicts Article 29 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. As the dispatch on the civil service will be carried out by the district military commissions, YABLOKO is concerned that would-be-conscripts will be sent to the army regardless of their wishes. YABLOKO insists that alternative service should take place in the social sphere, health care and the Ministry for Emergency Situations. Borschyov also expressed his bewilderment as to why the draft prepared by the Defence Ministry was presented by the Minister of Labour.

See also:
The Russian Army

Gazeta.ru, April 17, 2002

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