The Ministry of Defence has explained why it is currently impossible to abolish compulsory military service in Kazakhstan.
According to Zakon.kz, the department believes that this initiative would lead to a weakening of the state's defence capability.
"Abolishing compulsory military service would undermine the security of the entire state, and in the event of external threats, it would not be able to ensure peace and stability on its territory. In accordance with Article 90-1 of the Administrative Procedural Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, defence matters cannot be the subject of a petition," the statement said.
The ministry noted that the country's combat potential is largely ensured by contract soldiers.
"At the same time, 30% are conscripts. During their service, conscript soldiers manage to acquire basic military skills – they learn to operate in combat situations, shoot, drive combat vehicles, and become physically and morally stronger. After discharge, they remain in the reserve as a trained military reserve," the department reported.
It is worth recalling that, against the backdrop of an increase in tragic incidents in the army, concerned citizens of Kazakhstan created a petition calling for the abolition of compulsory military service. The authors believe that abolishing conscription in Kazakhstan is becoming urgent due to the deaths of servicemen in peacetime. Just in September, we reported on four such incidents.
On 7 September, in a military unit in Aktau, a conscript soldier died from a gunshot wound to the head. On 13 September, at the Military Institute of Land Forces in Almaty, a sergeant committed suicide. On 16 September, in Arys, a contract serviceman from one of the military units sustained a head injury from a traumatic weapon. On 19 September, an officer from one of the military units of the Ayagoz garrison committed suicide by hanging.
Meanwhile, the editorial board of FBRK tried to find out how many people have died in recent years 'while paying their debt to the Motherland'. We sent an official request to the Ministry of Defence asking them to provide data on the number of deaths in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. You can view the department's response via the link.