FORMER POWS HAVE THE RIGHT FOR SOCIAL ALLOWANCES

KarabakhOpen
29-02-2008 11:52:43

The Civic Action Center, a Karabakh-based NGO, held a round-table
meeting about the problem of social rehabilitation of former POWs
and hostages.

Albert Voskanyan, a civil society activist, the director of the
organization, said in the post-Soviet countries which were involved
in war deal with the issue of rehabilitation of former POWs and
hostages reluctantly.

Two former POWs participated in the round-table meeting who
said that most problems occur because they do not have a social
status. "The social policy on former POWs is regulated by the
law on social security of servicemen and their families, which
does not define the status of POWs separately. It hinders the
solution of a number of problems. Meanwhile these people suffered,
underwent a hard psychological trauma. Their families suffered who
also need assistance," Albert Voskanyan said. He underlined that in
the post-Soviet space the governments have a "Stalin-like" approach
toward POWs, although, the civil society activist said, the approach
tends to change.

During the round-table meeting the need for an NGO of former POWs and
hostages which would lobby their rights was discussed. The CAC said
willing to help set up an organization and organize meetings of its
future members with members of parliament and stakeholders.