Culture Minister Adil Karimli and a number of sports officials have recently brought up the issue of alternative military service for individuals with special abilities in the fields of art and sports. Discussions are particularly focused on whether this model can be applied in the post-war period.
Speaking to Modern.az on the topic, military expert Uzeyir Jafarov stated that a law on alternative service must be adopted in Azerbaijan:
“A law on alternative service must be adopted in Azerbaijan. We have been preparing that law since the 90s. We simply postponed the adoption of that law because the Karabakh issue was not resolved at that time.”
The expert noted that Azerbaijan, as a country that has won the war, can now discuss this issue more easily:
“We are already living our sixth year as the winner of the war. If we also consider the anti-terror measures from 2023, we have been citizens of a victorious country for four years now.”
Uzeyir Jafarov stated that he supports alternative service for individuals with special abilities in culture and other fields:
“I am one of the staunch supporters of alternative service for the esteemed Minister of Culture Adil Karimli, as well as for talented individuals in other fields, and we must protect our children.”
The military expert also cited the example of martyr Jeyhun Huseynov, a graduate of ADA University:
“Recently, we participated in the commemoration event for our soldier named Jeyhun Huseynov, who was admitted to ADA with 627 points, successfully graduated, and received a master's degree. Jeyhun Huseynov was a young man who could have brought great benefits to Azerbaijan.”
According to him, if there had been an alternative service model, it would have been possible to use the potential of such young people in a different way:
“It was our duty to protect him if there was an alternative service. We should have utilized him properly for the future of Azerbaijan.”
Uzeyir Jafarov stated that alternative service should not be applied to everyone:
“Alternative service should not be trivialized. Not everyone can perform alternative service. Only individuals who meet certain parameters can benefit from it.”
The expert noted that this issue should also be discussed in the Milli Majlis:
“I have brought this to the attention of several members of parliament. The law on alternative service must be adopted in the relevant committee of the Milli Majlis. This law is very important and crucial for us.”
