Compulsory military service; a report on the reasons for the increase in the number of soldiers' suicides in recent years

The compulsory nature of military service in Iran has led to an increase in suicide rates among deployed soldiers in recent years and the emergence of other behavioral problems in them; while the Armed Forces Headquarters has no system to record suicide statistics among deployed soldiers. According to experts, the physical and mental condition of those eligible for military service is not properly assessed before they are sent, and soldiers serving in the armed forces are not properly monitored by counselors at their centers. These issues are explicitly stated in the law, and according to experts, failure to comply with these laws is done under the pretext of “a shortage of soldiers in the country.” On the other hand, those eligible for military service who refuse to go to military service are deprived of the most obvious rights of citizenship.

According to the HRANA news agency, citing Iran Watch, according to statistics, one in six soldiers has seriously considered suicide, and about five percent of those deployed to the military become addicted.

Vahid Ashtari, a social activist who specifically works in the field of opposing compulsory military service, says in this regard: In Iran, about 700,000 people are drafted into the military every year, of which about 350,000 are deserters; this means that about 50 percent of these draftees consciously decide to accept all the restrictions in life and not to go into the military.

Referring to the nature of these restrictions, Ashtari stated: "They cannot have any documents in their names, they cannot buy a house or car, or travel abroad; they are willing to be officially deprived of the most obvious rights of citizenship, and they will do all these things to avoid being drafted. The other half of the population who are drafted into the military fall into suicide, addiction, and depression. Many of them also suffer from subsequent problems, including unemployment and falling behind in their daily lives, which are not recorded anywhere."

He pointed out that military injuries become more radical in each period, and continued: "Following the developments of the 1970s, which were influenced by the political and economic climate, news revealed addiction and depression in the military, but a few years later, the injuries entered the suicide phase. In all the evasive research work, the growth of suicide in the military can be seen. As we have been hearing more about it in the last decade.

Referring to the suicide of Naja soldier Saman Dashti in Tehran earlier this month, this social activist noted: "The incident of Saman Dashti's behavior and the details of what happened completely confirm this more radical form of protest, and now it is better to wait until the General Staff's full narrative is mentioned."

He said: "The issue worth noting is that the military environment and the behavior of soldiers are becoming more radical every day; especially the demands that have been made in cyberspace regarding military service and the reception that has been received, indicate the volume of these demands. Young people want the authorities to hear their voice and make a change in this situation. I receive thousands of messages daily regarding the #Speak_Of_Soldier campaign and I am chatting and discussing with these kids from morning to night."

Mohammad Reza Akbar Halvaei, former deputy head of the General Service Organization for Eligible Persons and Exemptions and one of the opponents of compulsory military service who has been running a legal consulting office in this area for some time, criticized the compulsory nature of "military service" and said: "The long distance, difficult commutes, the hardship of the service itself, and the encounters that are common during military service easily put pressure on these young people. Soldiers who think that nothing awaits them after these years of service. They have lost two years and have no vision of their job, income, life, or future."

Akbar Halvaei continued: "The very nature of the military, which is compulsory, contributes to these difficult conditions. The Ministry of Health has announced that 30 percent of the Iranian people are struggling with mental problems and disorders, and our young soldiers are among these people. All of these conditions cause some of these young people to commit suicide. The news that we have heard in recent months has not received any reaction from the authorities."

Referring to the non-compliance with some laws in the field of sending soldiers to service, Halvai stated: The process of sending and enlisting soldiers is facing problems. The law explicitly states that the physical and mental condition of those enlisted must be assessed before being deployed. However, since the country has had a shortage of soldiers in recent years, these assessments are not carried out with extreme rigor. On the other hand, the law explicitly states that soldiers must be psychologically monitored by counselors present at the armed forces centers during their service. These centers must monitor the mental condition of young people and be in contact with their families. And that in an environment whose environment and nature exacerbate violent behavior.

The former deputy head of the Public Service Organization for Conscripts and Exemptions noted: "Unfortunately, this news is heard, but it seems to be unimportant. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces Headquarters should be sensitive to these events, have an informal system, and record statistics on these incidents so that a plan can be designed to deal with it."

Mohammad Reza Akbar Halvaei, while stating that the authorities are not very sensitive to this news, continued: "If you remember, after the bus accident in Neyriz in which the soldiers were killed, a number of soldiers attacked the commanders of the Abiq garrison. After that, a policy was put in place to minimize contact between the commanders and the soldiers. From my perspective, from that day on, attacks and aggression against the commanders decreased and suicides by the soldiers took their place."

Military service in the Islamic Republic of Iran has become a double burden for many families, especially low-income groups. Every person whose gender was determined as male at birth must be forcibly conscripted upon reaching the age of 18. In an unfair situation, military service is sold to those eligible under certain conditions, and the higher the level of education, the higher the price of service. This has caused segments of society that are experiencing financial difficulties, poverty, and unemployment to be unable to afford military service.

Source: HRANA