Cyprus Cabinet wants minorities to return to National Guard duty

The Council of Ministers decided Wednesday to amend the law governing military service in the National Guard in order to ensure equal treatment for all male Cypriot citizens who are drafted for the two-year service.

The proposed bill, to go to the House of Representatives for consideration, provides for the drafting of Maronites, Latins and Armenians – who belong to the Greek Cypriot community, as of 2008 for compulsory military service.

The minorities have been exempt from national service, with the exception of a conscription over a decade ago for two years. Others have volunteered throughout the years.

The new bill also deals with those who say they are conscientious objectors, thus refusing taking up arms, and recommends amendments to the existing legislation.

The government bill also proposes alternative compulsory service for those who claim to have physical or mental health problems in order to evade military service, but are considered capable of serving in alternative services.
In the first step towards a general reform as requested by the opposition DISY, the government proposes amendments to the military service of males who come from large families. It provides for a reduced  military service of 14 months instead of 25 for the third son in a family, provided that the two older siblings have served a full term.