"Due to Wrong Approaches, Azerbaijan Has Lost Hundreds, Perhaps Thousands, of Talented Youth"

On December 13, during discussions in the Milli Majlis (Parliament) on proposed amendments to the law "On Military Duty and Military Service," Azər Babayev, head of the Call to Active Military Service Department at the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription, stated that the reduction of military service duration was being discussed.

"Our main goal is to prevent all cases of misuse. The legislation now envisions the creation of electronic cabinets and providing all information through these systems to ensure transparency. Instead of differentiating between higher and secondary education graduates, we need to equalize them. We are considering this," Babayev said.

Azər Babayev added that they were not yet ready for a reduction in service duration. He noted that discussions are ongoing about reducing the current military service from 1 year and 6 months to 1 year. A proposal to lower the conscription age from 35 to 30 was also raised.

Babayev further stated that the issue of paid military service was discussed but not supported by relevant institutions. "Although alternative service is reflected in the Constitution, it is not included in the legislation. We support this proposal."

He also pointed out that while the regulations for alternative service have been approved, there are no established rules for its implementation.

However, on December 17, the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription issued a statement declaring that the reduction of the active military service duration was not under discussion.

Casur Mammadov, head of the Caspian Military Research Institute, commented on the issue in an interview with ASTNA:

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Question: Azər Babayev mentioned that reducing the service duration from 1 year and 6 months to 1 year is being discussed. Do you think this is the right step?

Answer: Interestingly, just a few days ago (December 13, 2024), during his speech at the relevant parliamentary committee, Azər Babayev stated that discussions were underway on reducing the duration of military service but also noted, "We are not yet ready for this step." However, on December 17, the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription declared that reducing the duration of military service is not under discussion. Such contradictory statements indicate that there is no clear and concrete strategy within the government and its institutions regarding military service reforms. It is possible that this issue will be revisited in a few months or years as the necessity for reducing the service period arises.

In my opinion, any process regarding military conscription and service duration must have a theoretical and strategic basis. The goal must be clear: What does Azerbaijan aim to achieve with such changes? If transitioning to a professional, contract-based army is the target, then reducing the service duration, consolidating military structures, and strengthening reserve forces would be logical steps. However, without such strategic plans, these changes risk being short-sighted reforms that bring no substantial progress to the army.

Question: Babayev also said that higher and secondary education graduates should be equalized. What is your view on this proposal?

Answer: Education must always take precedence over all other processes in society and be a priority for any government. I agree that the differentiation between higher and secondary education graduates has been wrongly handled until now. The proposed equal approach may theoretically aim to popularize vocational education and meet the labor demands in certain sectors. However, its practical implementation remains uncertain.

Question: A proposal has been made to lower the conscription age from 35 to 30. What are the pros and cons of this change?

Answer: If the changes are part of a transitional process, adjusting the minimum and maximum conscription age is necessary. I believe the minimum age should be raised from 18 to 20, while the maximum age should be lowered from 35 to 28. Raising the lower limit would positively impact students in their final years of school, allowing them 2-3 years to plan their careers and future without stress.

Currently, many families and students are under pressure to enter higher education immediately after finishing school to delay military service. This results in hasty and often unnecessary education choices. The changes could grant young people time to consider their career paths carefully. From personal experience, I have seen talented youth with great potential diverted away from education or careers due to compulsory military service, ending up in jobs far below their capabilities.

Question: Why are these proposals being made? Is it to save on military expenditures or because there is no longer a need for such a large force?

Answer: There are three main reasons. First, Azerbaijan is transitioning to a military model similar to Turkey’s, prioritizing professionalism and highly prepared personnel. Second, Azerbaijan’s main security problem—liberating its occupied territories—has been resolved. Third, there is an effort to address the issue of "surplus conscripts," where the number of eligible youth exceeds the military's needs, often leading to corruption in the conscription process.

Ultimately, while these changes seem aimed at efficiency, the process remains non-transparent, and the strategic perspective is unclear. For reforms to succeed, corruption must be eliminated, and human rights must be respected—goals that remain uncertain.

Question: Azər Babayev also stated that the proposal for paid military service was discussed but was not supported by the relevant institutions. Why do you think this is the case?

Answer: I believe the reasons are quite straightforward: the lack of a fair justice system, unequal social security, severe poverty, unemployment, illicit wealth accumulation, undemocratic governance, and other factors can be identified as the main reasons why the idea of paid military service has not materialized in Azerbaijan. Looking at global examples, there should be no distinction in societal status between those who serve in regular military service and those who opt for paid service. In Azerbaijan, however, considering the wealth of government officials and individuals close to them, it is clear that they, their children, and their relatives would avoid regular military service and instead benefit from the paid service option. Such a situation would deepen existing social inequality and validate the notion that “military service is only for the poor.” I believe this is the primary reason why the authorities refrain from openly confronting society on such a sensitive issue.

Question: Alternative military service is also not implemented. What is the reason for this?

Answer: There are various reasons for this. The main issue may be the lack of a defined framework for alternative service and disagreements within the government on this matter. If this service is framed around religious factors, it could lead to an increase in individuals turning to various religious movements, creating headaches for the government. Distinguishing between those genuinely adhering to religious principles and those avoiding regular military service would not be easy, and given the lack of an independent judiciary in the country, disputes surrounding this process would fail to produce satisfactory solutions for the parties involved.

Question: What are your suggestions regarding alternative service, paid military service, and implementing positive reforms in the military?

Answer: Once again, I emphasize that the Azerbaijani government must present a strategic reform plan for the security and defense sector to society. These reforms should include processes that prioritize contract-based service, respect for human rights, and equal social security. Transparency and accountability are critical keywords in this regard. Civilian oversight of military reforms is necessary. The Ministry of Defense and other military institutions must be open to criticism, inquiries, and public engagement. Without these elements, building an effective army will not be possible.

Currently, the political leadership is implementing military reforms in secrecy, hiding behind the “military and state secret” clause. Media outlets, journalists, and NGOs face official and unofficial pressures, limiting their ability to investigate military processes. However, the war is over, and transparency in military reforms is unavoidable. There is no justification for labeling such issues as state secrets. NATO member Turkey is involved in military reforms, and Russia is regularly informed about these processes. The only party left uninformed is Azerbaijani society, including its journalists and NGOs.

By comparison, at the end of 2022, Armenia presented its army reform program to the public, which included significant changes to social security. The program revealed plans to establish a contract-based army, where contract soldiers would receive a monthly salary of 450,000 drams (approximately 1,100 euros). While the Armenian government also avoids close relations with media and civil society, the trend shows that Armenia has begun utilizing the post-war period effectively and is engaging the public in discussions about military reforms. Unfortunately, there has been no progress on this topic in Azerbaijan.