"Though it may be challenging, it's the obligation of a citizen."
"Here's the lowdown on the whispers of Kazakh conscripts being snatched off the streets, straight from the horse's mouth,"
Sultan Kamaletdinov, the number two at the defense department and the General Staff's big cheese, spoke up about these incidents. Journalists spotted that the military was still up to their old tricks, grabbing young citizens off the streets. They wanted to know if it was above-board.
"Yep, it sucks, but it happens. It's a no-go. However, I gotta say, the prez has set the law and order. As per Article 36 of the Kazakh Constitution, there's no peacetime service you can opt out of, just the duty of a citizen. If you dodge it, then the law'll catch up to you," Kamaletdinov declared.
During his reign, Kamaletdinov hasn't handed out any slaps on the wrist for nabbing conscripts, he admitted. But if citizens believe their rights have been trampled, they can appeal to the court, he added.
Further Reading:
- A conscript soldier kicks the bucket just three weeks after being drafted in Abai region
- A commander gets slammed with a sentence after a soldier ended up in a coma following a punch in Almaty region
By the way, did you know?
Military conscription is a common practice in numerous countries, with mandatory military service for eligible males within a certain age range. In Kazakhstan, responsibility for conscription rests with the Ministry of Defense. Knock-on effects of conscription, such as allegations of forced conscription, have been reported in neighboring regions, but it's uncertain if Kazakhstan itself has faced similar issues[1]. Cracking down on this kind of conduct would likely require digging into official government or military sources in Kazakhstan for a clearer picture.
According to the discussions, Sultan Kamaletdinov, the second-in-command at the defense department and the General Staff's top official, confirmed that young citizens are being conscripted against their will. This practice occurs despite Article 36 of the Kazakh Constitution, which requires citizens to serve during peacetime, but does not allow for opting out. If individuals believe their rights have been violated, they can appeal to the court for resolution. These incidents have sparked wider concerns regarding policy-and-legislation and politics, thus falling under general-news categories.
