"Doctrine" Center: the change of Defense Minister does not solve problems in the army

Despite the reduction in the total number of recent losses in the defense sector, alarming trend of suicides in the army and to die from bullying does not stop, stated the head of the Center for Journalism Studies military "Doctrine", Casur Sumerinli at today's press conference on results of  2013.

In the past year, the losses in the security sector totaled 81 soldiers, when 70 people were killed in non-combat conditions.

In 2012 and 2011  losses amounted to 97 (78 in  non-combat ) and 99 people (85 in  non-combat.) Meanwhile, the number of suicides in 2013 totaled 16 ( in 2012 - 19 and 2011 - 12).

In 2013, 10 people died of bullying (in 2012 - 19 and 2011 – 17.)

The change  of Defense Minister on  22 October 2013 raised hopes that the negative effects will be eliminated. However, in the first two weeks of the New Year  there were four cases  of suicide. This is the highest rate of suicide in the past 11 years," said Sumerinli.

He also noted that the new minister made ​​approximately 100 appointments. However, the  most of the appointed  are former members of the corrupt hierarchy of the Ministry of Defense , and dismissed as a result of the confrontation between the former Minister Safar Abiyev and chief of staff Nejmedin Sadigov. According to  Sumerinli , these frames do not meet NATO standards.

The practice of collecting money from the soldiers  continues in the army, although not so open as it was when  SafarAbiyev was  the Minister. However, a positive moment is  that a soldier can complain directly to the Defense Ministry.

Negative aspect  is that chief of department on work with personnel, Vagif Mammadov, who stood behind actions against military experts, remained in power,  said Sumerenli.

Over three months the new Minister  has not held a press conference , and there is no change in the activity of the press service of the Defense Ministry. However, Sumerinli praised the innovation of bringing civilians to work in the kitchen and cleaning  in the  military units, and the positions of the drivers.

During the meeting, the military experts expressed the view that to prevent the deaths of soldiers and increasing the combat  it is necessary to ensure the transparency of enlistment; physically and mentally healthy people should serve in the army. It was also suggested to reduce military service up to 6-9 months, to  bring it to a professional basis , to solve social problems and housing  problems of officers, and to increase their salaries.

It is necessary to  open in the army psychologists institutions, and religious instructors to work with the staff.

According to the "Doctrine" of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, in 2003-2013 died  728 soldiers, including 186 killed by Armenians or blown up by mines, and 542 -  are non combat losses.—06С-