Serve “voluntarily” or involuntarily?

More than 120 students of Bokhtar State University have been “voluntarily” enlisted in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan after passing their state exams.

Photo: Internet

According to the Khovar agency, the ceremony for sending off graduates to the army was attended by the rector of Bokhtar State University, a representative of the executive body of Khatlon region, and a representative of the youth and sports department.

State media claims that the number of patriotic youth voluntarily joining military service is increasing every day. Even university students are taking their current and state exams early to serve voluntarily in the armed forces.

However, increasing reports from residents and videos posted on social media indicate that the number of “raids” is rising – military enlistment officers and police are increasingly stopping young people right on the streets and roads and sending them to the army.

Several university and institute students told Azda TV that they are graduates of this year and that the university administration is forcing them to sign pre-prepared statements for early exam completion in order to be enlisted in the army during the spring draft.

Students claim they intended to continue their studies in graduate school, but authorities are pressuring university administrations to send graduates to the army. Our source reported:

“Every day, the university administration is putting more pressure on us. It is unclear what will happen if we do not sign these pre-prepared statements. We intend to continue our studies.”

Radio Ozodi also reports that during the spring draft, the “Office of Civil Liberties” received 200 complaints in Dushanbe alone regarding illegal methods of military conscription, mostly concerning students.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education and Science sent a letter to universities allowing 4th and 5th-year students wishing to serve their country to take their current and final exams early. It was reported that this decision was made based on a letter from the head of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan, Ozoda Rahmon.

The ministry’s letter to universities caused a significant public outcry.

Many criticized the authorities’ actions, stating that “this interferes with the learning process and mastering of educational material.”

Some also support the initiative of the Ministry of Education.

The conscription of recruits into the armed forces in Tajikistan has been a hot topic for many years. Every year, during service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan, servicemen are subjected to brutal beatings, and as a result, some die. There are even cases of people going missing. Most young people evade military service due to poor conditions. Authorities forcibly send conscription-age youth to the army through “raids.” These methods always provoke public outrage, yet the situation remains unchanged.