Property confiscation for evading military service violates constitution: Damascus residents
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The recent statements of the head of Payment and Exemption Department of the Syrian government forces, Ilyas Bitar, regarding the confiscation of the property of those not enrolled in the military service sparked resentment from the residents of Damascus.
These fears come in light of several young men failing to enlist in the compulsory military service.
“Anyone who reaches 42 years old and has not joined the military service has to go to the Recruitment Division the next day,” Bitar said in video footage recently published by the Syrian Ministry of Information.
This visit is “in order to organize a file of missing military service and pay $8,000 as a cash allowance within three months,” Bitar added.
If the time limit runs out, the Recruitment Division files a lawsuit against those have not enrolled in the military and confiscates his property and the property of his family.
“The decision to confiscate the property of those not enrolled the military service violates the constitution,” Damascus resident Suhayla al-Issa (a pseudonym) told north Press.
“Each family has a member who has not enrolled the military, which means that such a decision will confiscate the property of all Syrians,” she added.
The constitution obliges the state to protect private property and guarantees rights of the individuals to freely act with their property, according to al-Issa.
50-year-old Old Damascus resident Issam al-Shawal (a pseudonym) considers the decision to confiscate the property “illogical.”
“I have a brother who has been outside the country for 20 years; will they confiscate my property because of him?” he wondered.
In November 2020, Syrian president Bashar Assad issued a decree amending some articles of the military service law.
The decree included rules and cash payment for those who cannot enlist in the military for health reasons.
The decree allowed those who cannot serve for health reasons to pay $3,000 as a cash payment for military service.
It also imposed fees and sanctions on those fled and did not join the military and reserve service.
A source from the Ministry of Justice in the Syrian government, who preferred not to be named, said that the decision have not applied yet.
“Applying such a decision will create chaos among the population,” he told North Press.
“The government officials do not want to open such a door in light of popular resentment due to the living and economic situations,” the source added.
On November 8, 2020, the Syrian Parliament issued a legislative decree amending the military service law.
The decree obliges those who have not enlisted in military service to pay $8,000 or equivalent local currency, on penalty of confiscating their property.