The Armenian Ombudsman pointed out the need for systemic measures to prevent non-combat deaths in the army.

ArmInfo. At the initiative of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, and in cooperation with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Management (DCAF), an expanded meeting of the Human Rights Defender's (HRD) Expert Council on the Protection of the Rights of Military Personnel was held. The meeting was dedicated to preventing non-combat deaths during military service.

According to the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, during the meeting, Manasyan emphasized that every death of a service member is deeply concerning, and preventing such incidents requires continuous and systematic work, the implementation of effective preventive mechanisms, and the appropriate and consistent action of competent state bodies. The Human Rights Defender of Armenia noted that the deaths of service members and the problems existing in the context of ensuring rights in the Armed Forces demonstrate that, despite the work done, issues in this area still require urgent solutions. According to her, issues related to the prevention of violent deaths, suicides, self-harm, and abuse in the Armed Forces require systemic reforms in particular.

Manasyan also drew attention to the need to eradicate hazing in the army, noting that steps taken in this direction must be conceptual in nature, including specific prevention mechanisms. She also emphasized the importance of conducting proper, comprehensive, and objective investigations into criminal cases related to such incidents and holding those responsible accountable. "During the discussion, issues of ensuring a healthy moral and psychological atmosphere in the Armed Forces, protecting the rights of servicemen, and the effectiveness of mechanisms for the early identification of problems and appropriate responses were raised," the Human Rights Defender's Office reported.

The Armenian Ombudsman also emphasized the importance of institutionalized and ongoing cooperation with government agencies, international partners, civil society, human rights defenders, and independent experts in the field to identify existing problems and develop effective steps to address them.

It should be noted that, according to the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (HCA) Vanadzor Office, as of July 24 of this year, 30 deaths of servicemen had been recorded in the Armenian Armed Forces in the first seven months of 2026. It should be noted that several more incidents have occurred in the Armenian Armed Forces since this date, which have not yet been included in the statistics.