Predlogi in pobude SVS

Sindikat vojakov Slovenije
Ob parku 4
Za koga,
2310 Slovenska Bistrica
European Organisation
of Military Associations
za Slovenijo
Številka: VRS01/2012
Datum: 27. 2. 2012
Vlada Republike Slovenije
Zadeva: Predlogi in pobude SVS vladi RS za zakonsko vzpostavitev vzvodov za pretok kadra iz
Javnega sektorja v podjetja v pretežni državni lasti, prepoved zaposlovanja in
štipendiranja v Slovenski vojski ter vzpostavitev statusa "veteran Slovenske vojske"
Zveza:
Finančna kriza in problem vojakov po 45 letu starosti, 700 visokošolsko izobraženih
pripadnikov Slovenske vojske na delovnih mestih z zahtevano srednješolsko izobrazbo in
delavnica Evropskega združenja vojaških organizacij na temo Veteranske politike v Evropi
Spoštovani,
simbolično na dan zasedanja Ekonomsko socialnega sveta Vam Sindikat vojakov Slovenije podaja tri
predloge in nekaj pobud za katere v menimo, da bi pripomogli prebroditvi krizne situacije v kateri se
je znašla Slovenija.
Predlagamo Vam, da se z zakonskimi rešitvami v okviru dopustnih zmožnosti vzpostavijo vzvodi,
ki bi omogočali pretok kadra iz javnega sektorja v podjetja v pretežni državni lasti, ob
zagotavljanju zatečenih pravic zaposlenih. Menimo, da bi na ta način preprečili ali pa vsaj omilili
napovedana odpuščanja v javnem sektorju. Prepričani pa smo, da bi z takšno rešitvijo rešili problem,
ki ga predstavlja zastarela rešitev Zakona o obrambi glede dopustnosti dela vojakov do njihovega 45
leta starosti, najmanj do sprejetja sprememb obrambnega zakona, če ne celo trajno. Vzpostavljeni
vzvodi za prekvalifikacije in druge rešitve ob soočenju vojakov z izpolnitvijo starostne meje še
zmožnosti dela v vojski preizkušeno v zadnjih nekaj letih ne delujejo v praksi.
Ob napovedanih odpuščanjih v javnem sektorju bi Vas želeli opozoriti, da je vojska hrbtenica vsake
države in da posegi v vojski na področju pravic iz delovnega razmerja niso zaželeni. Kakor so
nacionalni predstavniki evropskih držav poročali na zasedanju Predsedstva Evropskega združenja
vojaških organizacij – EUROMIL (European Organisation of Military Associations) se v vojskah
soočajo s hudo krizo in ob tem v večini držav ne nižajo statusa zaposlenim v oboroženih silah,
večina držav varčuje na drugih področjih znotraj obrambnega dela proračuna. Z nepremišljenimi
posegi na obrambnem področju se lahko negativno vpliva na kredibilnost države v mednarodnem
okolju in znotraj zveze Nato, do katere je Slovenija za izpolnitev zavez že tako v nerodnem položaju.
V Sindikatu vojakov Slovenije že dlje časa opazujemo situacijo, ki je z vsakim dnem bolj pereča. V
Slovenski vojski je namreč ogromno previsoko izobraženih pripadnikov za njihova delovna
mesta, torej tista, ki jih zasedajo že dalj časa, kljub dejstvu, da imajo dosti višjo stopnjo izobrazbe, kot
je potrebna za zasedbo njihovih delovnih mest. Po naši oceni in javno objavljenih podatkih
Generalštaba je takšnih pripadnikov Slovenske vojske okrog 700. Mnogokrat smo priča težavam teh
pripadnikov pri katerih prihaja tudi do razžalitev njihovega intelekta in jim nemalokrat pušča trajne
posledice za kar menimo, da je kriva njihova previsoka izobrazba za delo, ki ga opravljajo.
www.sindikatvojakov.si
Tako previsoko izobraženi pripadniki Slovenske vojske ne vidijo v doglednem času nobene rešitve v
smislu zaposlitve na ustrezno delovno mesto glede na njihovo stopnjo izobrazbe in takšno stanje se je
še bolj utrdilo v zadnjih treh letih, saj so vsa delovna mesta, ki niso popolnjena ukinjena. Ob tako
rigidni kadrovski politiki večina takšnih previsoko izobraženih pripadnikov ne vidi rešitve njihovega
problema, medtem ko se v Slovenski vojski zaposluje nove kadre na delovna mesta, na katerih je
zahtevana stopnja izobrazbe, ki jo ima mnogo pripadnikov Slovenske vojske ob njihovi razporeditvi
na delovnih mestih z zahtevano stopnjo izobrazbe pod njihovo doseženo stopnjo izobrazbe.
Da je situacija še bolj nepravična potrjuje dejstvo, da Ministrstvo za obrambo kot dober delodajalec
celo štipendira študente z namenom kasnejše zaposlitve in ob tem daje pred dolgoletnimi
pripadniki Slovenske vojske štipendistom absolutno prednost pri kadrovanju in prijavah na razpise za
vojaško izobraževanje. Da pa je situacija še bolj pereča, pa dokazuje dejstvo, da pripadniki Slovenske
vojske ob vojaškem izobraževanju pridobivajo v civilnih institucijah višjo stopnjo izobrazbe, kot je
zahtevana za zasedbo njihovih delovnih mest. Takšno prakso je po našem mnenju potrebno
nemudoma prekiniti in to vsaj za tako dolgo, dokler bo v Slovenski vojski še vsaj eden pripadnik, ki
bo razporejen na delovno mesto z zahtevano nižjo stopnjo izobrazbe kot jo sam ima. V smislu 2. člena
Zakona o javnih financah, ki določa načelo, da je potrebno p ri pripravi in izvrševanju proračuna
spoštovati načeli učinkovitosti in gospodarnosti je takšno kadrovanje v Slovenski vojski
nedopustno in ponižujoče za vse visoko izobražene pripadnike na nižjih delovnih mestih.
Zato Sindikat vojakov Slovenije Vladi Republike Slovenije daje pobudo, za zakonsko prepoved
zaposlovanja novih kadrov, s stopnjo izobrazbe katere pripadnikov v Slovenski vojski je dovolj, vsaj
tako dolgo dokler bodo v Slovenski vojski pripadniki s stopnjo izobrazbe, ki je višja od zahtevane za
zasedbo njihovega delovnega mesta.
Vladi Republike Slovenije predlagamo tudi, da se z zakonom prepove štipendiranje za stopnjo
izobrazbe, dokler je v Slovenski vojski pripadnikov s takšno stopnjo izobrazbe na pretek.
Predlagamo tudi, da se z zakonom prekine praksa izobraževanja v okviru vojaško strokovnih
izobraževanj za stopnjo izobraževanja, ki ni zahtevana za zasedbo delovnih mest pripadnikov, ki
se šolajo na vojaških šolah. V oči bode pridobivanje magisterija v okviru vojaško strokovnega
izobraževanja na Višjem štabnem tečaju po katerem kandidati izpolnijo pogoj za čin majorja, medtem
ko je za čin majorja ter čin višje, za podpolkovnika zahtevana visokošolska strokovna izobrazba. Torej
se kandidati za majorja šolajo v okviru vojaškega šolanja v civilnih šolah za stopnjo izobrazbe, ki je ne
potrebujejo. Podobna situacija je na Generalštabnem šolanju, kjer bodoči polkovniki v okviru vojaškostrokovnega izobraževanja izpolnijo del obveznosti, ki se jim priznajo v primeru doktorskega študija,
za njihovo delovno mesto pa je zahtevana univerzitetna izobrazba, ki pa je že tako pogoj za vpis na
vojaško-strokovno izobraževanje oz. šolanje.
Dne 28. 10. 2011 je v okviru zasedanja predsedstva Euromila potekala delavnica na temo Veteranske
politike v Evropi, v kateri sta aktivno sodelovala predsednik in pravnik SVS. V okviru delavnice, ki
je bila zelo poučna, in naknadno izvedeni analizi urejenosti področja veteranov v Republiki Sloveniji
smo v SVS prišli do ugotovitve, da v Republiki Sloveniji nimamo veteranov, ki bi bili do tega statusa
upravičeni na osnovi opravljanja vojaške službe doma in v tujini, kakor imajo to urejeno v večini
Evropskih držav. V Sloveniji imamo le veterane, ki so si ta status pridobili načeloma v vojni in iz tega
izhajajoč imamo tudi zakon le o vojnih veteranih. Menimo pa, da si tudi pripadniki Slovenske vojske
zaslužijo podobno obravnavo kot njihovi kolegi Evropskih držav. Takšno stališče izhaja tudi iz
temeljnega načela Euromila, da je vojak državljan, ki v službi nosi uniformo in je zato deležen vseh
pravic kakor drugi državljani Evrope ter v našem primeru Republike Slovenije.
Veteran je tisti, ki je med najbolj izkušenimi zaradi staža opravljanja del in nalog ali zaradi zahtevnosti
nalog na določenem poklicnem področju. V SVS smo mnenja, da ni pošteno urejeno področje
veteranov v Republiki Sloveniji za vojaško poklicno področje, saj imamo vojne veterane, ki so
upravičeni do tega statusa na osnovi 12 dnevne vojne, medtem ko imamo na drugi strani pripadnike
Slovenke vojske z udeležbo na več mirovnih operacijah, ki imajo za sabo tudi več kot 10 let delovne
dobe s statusom pripadnika Slovenke vojske, pa nimajo možnosti pridobitve statusa veterana.
Če ponazorimo na konkretnem primeru: po veljavnih predpisih pripadnik Slovenske vojske, ki je bil v
času osamosvojitvene vojne star 17 let in ima danes 37 let z 15 leti delovne dobe v Slovenki vojski in
v tem času se je udeležil 4 mirovnih operacij (SFOR, KFOR, EUFOR n ISAF) nima pravice do
statusa veterana in je tudi ne bo nikoli pridobil pa četudi gre na mirovno operacijo še 5 krat, ker je
bil v času osamosvojitvene vojne premlad za udeležbo v njej. Takšen pripadnik, bo s časom postal
eden najbolj izkušenih, če to že ni danes in menimo da je nedvomno upravičen do naziva veteran
in s tem statusa, pa četudi samo na simbolni ravni. Medtem ko je seznam upravičencev po Zakonu o
vojnih veteranih do statusa vojnega veterana zelo dolg in to predvsem na osnovi izkušenj v 12 dnevni
vojni, ki so edino merilo za priznavanje statusa veterana, kakor izhaja iz same definicije veterana v
veljavnem zakonu.
Takšna obravnava pripadnikov Slovenske vojske se nam ne zdi poštena in zato menimo, da je
potrebno uvesti status veterana Slovenke vojske, katerega bi bili deležni najbolj izkušeni pripadniki
Slovenske vojske, ki bi veterani postali avtomatsko ob izpolnitvi enega od pogojev za pridobitev
statusa, za spremljanje in izvajanje tega avtomatizma, bi po našem morala biti zadolžena kadrovska
služba Slovenke vojske. Vsi državljani Republike Slovenije, ki bi pogoje za pridobitev statusa ob
sprejetju zakona že izpolnjevali, pa bi le to morali dokazati na osnovi ustreznih listin.
Evropske države imajo to področje urejeno različno, na kar je vplivala sama zgodovina posamezne
države in dosežen nivo uveljavljanja evropskih standardov na tem področju. Če pogledamo najbolj
liberalne rešitve ugotovimo, da nekatere države status veterana dodelijo vsem, ki so zaposleni v
oboroženih silah, za kar pa se tudi v SVS ne zavzemamo. Prilagamo štiri predstavitve iz delavnice
Euromila, ki nakazujejo podobne rešitve kot jih SVS v tej pobudi predlaga.
V SVS smo znotraj Slovenke vojske pozvali pripadnike Slovenke vojske k podajanju predlogov glede
pogojev za upravičenost do statusa veterana Slovenke vojske, ki ga predlagamo in ugodnosti, ki bi jih
naj veterani bili deležni. Po skrbni proučitvi predlogov in ob upoštevanju ugotovitev v okviru
delavnice Euromila smo v SVS oblikovali predlog, ki vam ga posredujemo in opisujemo v
nadaljevanju.
Predlagan zakon bi urejal pogoje za pridobitev statusa veterana Slovenke vojske in določene
ugodnosti, do katerih bi veterani Slovenke vojske bili upravičeni na osnovi opravljanja državljanske
dolžnosti pri obrambe države in služenja državi Republiki Sloveniji doma ali v tujini. V sindikatu
menimo, da so pripadniki Slovenke vojske do predlaganega upravičeni na osnovi standardov
evropskih držav, ki so se na tem področju uveljavili z leti.
Na osnovi vsega opisanega vam Sindikat vojakov Slovenije daje pobudo:
1. da se v Republiki Sloveniji z zakonom uvede status "veteran Slovenske vojske", do katerega bi bili
upravičeni:
– državljani Republike Slovenije z udeležbo v mirovni operaciji kot pripadniki Slovenske vojske
v trajanju najmanj 6 mesecev;
– državljani Republike Slovenije z najmanj 10 let delovne dobe s statusom "pripadnik Slovenke
vojske".
V obeh točkah je mišljen pripadnik ali pripadnica Slovenske vojske, kakor ju določa Zakon o
Službi v Slovenski vojski;
2. da imajo veterani Slovenske vojske enake pravice kot veterani vojne za Slovenijo in zraven še:
a. pravico do odkupa službenega stanovanja;
b. pravico do zagotavljanja pravne pomoči na delovno-pravnem področju preko sindikata, ki
deluje znotraj Slovenske vojske in zastopa interese pripadnikov Slovenske vojske s
plačevanjem članarine sindikatu v višini 1% njegove bruto plače na osnovi opredelitve
veterana katerega sindikata član je;
c. pravico do dodatnega dopusta v trajanju najmanj 14 dni;
d. veterani Slovenke vojske z najmanj 3 mirovnimi operacijami ali 20 let delovne dobe pa
pravico do dodatnega dopusta v trajanju najmanj 21 dni;
e. …
3. da Ministrstvo za obrambo zagotavlja prostorske in druge pogoje za delovanje združenja
veteranov Slovenke vojske, če se le to ustanovi;
4. da se veteranom Slovenke vojske izda veteranska izkaznica, katere obliko in vsebino določi
minister ali veteranska organizacija, če je ta organizirana, na podlagi katere veterani Slovenske
vojske uveljavljajo pravice v skladu s sprejetim zakonom;
V Sindikatu vojakov Slovenije se zavedamo, da bo tudi Slovenska vojska utrpela sorazmerni del
odpovedovanja na račun splošne gospodarske in finančne krize. Na to smo pripravljeni, seveda v
kolikor bo to res sorazmerni del z ozirom na druga področja v negospodarstvu in predvsem javnem
sektorju, saj je gospodarstvo do sedaj utrpelo največ škode. Ob tem pa apeliramo na vlado, da z
minimalnimi sredstvi naredi nekaj za dvig morale v Slovenski vojski in predvsem pobudo za
uzakonitev statusa Veterana Slovenke vojske skrbno prouči.
V sindikatu verjamemo, da bi pozitiven odziv na vse predlagano blagodejno delovalo na pripadnike
Slovenske vojske in splošno.
V upanju, da bodo naši predlogi in pobude pozitivno sprejeti Vas prav lepo pozdravljamo,
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Priloge:
predstavitve iz delavnice Euromila na temo: Veteran Policies in Europe:
1. Veteran Policy in the United Kingdom
2. Veteran Policy in Belgium
3. Veteran Policy in Portugal
4. Veteran Policy in Cyprus
–
Poslano z e-pošto:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
naslovnik;
Ministrstvo za obrambo;
Generalštab Slovenske vojske;
Vrhovni poveljnik Slovenke vojske;
Državni zbor Republike Slovenije;
Zveza slovenskih častnikov;
arhiv.
Veteran Policy in the
United Kingdom
{
Adrian Weale, British Armed Forces Federation


No specific acts of parliament to regulate
veterans’ affairs
Junior Minister within UK MoD designated as:
Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and
Veterans
Legislative Framework



Ministry of Defence – Service Personnel &
Veterans Agency
Royal British Legion
Soldiers, Sailors and Airman’s Families
Association – Forces Help
Implementation


“A veteran is anyone who has served in HM
Armed Forces at any time, irrespective of
length of service (including National
Servicemen and Reservists). Veterans and their
dependents make up the veterans community,
which is estimated to be over 10 million strong
in the UK.” – UK MoD
All entitled to the same support
Definition



Healthcare
Families and Dependents
Privileges and Benefits
Support



Advice at 1st, 2nd and 3rd line
Retraining
Housing
Resettlement



Veterans’ website: www.veterans-uk.info
Free Telephone Helpline: 0800 169 2277
Publications available from local government
offices, libraries, hospitals etc
Communication



HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge
Armed Forces Day - June
Remembrance Day – 11 November
Social Recognition
Negotiating Partners
Future Developments

Questions?
Veteran Policy in the
United Kingdom
Workshop
“Veteran Policies in Europe”
Presentation by Filip Duquesne,
ACMP-CGPM
Belgium
The Belgian National Institute for Veterans and Victims
of War (IV/NIOOO) is responsible for the gratitude of
the Belgian nation to the men and women who fought
and suffered during the past two World Wars, but also
to the men and women who have participated in
peacekeeping or humanitarian missions in which
Belgium took part for the UN or NATO. Since 10 April
2003 the Institute for Veterans have got his
implementation under the same umbrella like the
Victims of War.
IV/NIOOO is an independent institute under control of
our MOD
How is a veteran defined?
It is purely a honorary title. Defence wants extend
this way the tasks of IV/NIOOO to (former) staff
members of Be defence, which has taken part
after the end of the Korea war, in a by the
government decided mission or operation.
Are all veterans entitled to the same support measures or are they
differentiated by categories?
Because it concerns a honorary title and it allows the military personal
carrying a pin on their uniform, this offers, at the moment, no benefits
to veterans. But it is of course the first step in the good direction: these
of recognition. The institute is working on it and they are trying to
give advantages in the near future. As a representative union, we
participate at this discussion.
Healthcare


Since 2006, a “Biotheque” has been created within the usual
healthcare in the Belgian Defence as a result of Balkans
syndrome. A problem where a lot of former Balkans
veterans were faced and doctors wanted to create a
comparison point and so they planned to stock bloods and
other monsters of the individual during a period of 40 years.
There is also a social network available for any soldier,
veteran or not, where they can appeal to.
Families/dependants

There are no special allowances. However, family days are
organised before & during missions or operations.
Privileges and benefits



If something happens during service, Be defence has a
particular system called “compensation pension”, but that’s
not especially for veterans but for all servicemen & women.
(As example: losing a finger gives you an infirmity of
proximally 3% and as from 10% the department of Pension
pays a quarterly amount)
However, the payment of the compensation pension for
problems during missions or operations abroad are 25%
higher than those in peacetime.
Being a veteran doesn’t give you extra rights taxes, job
placements or accommodations
There exist an ex-mob program (leaving the army
for a civilian job), but for every soldier, not
pecially for Veterans.
Only through the Institute for Veterans, but access to
information is still in preparation.
Every year, on the 7 April, the IV organise a Veterans Day,
with the help of our Defence. All veterans are invited at this
special day.
IV/NIOOO organise school visits to keep the war memory living.
Sometimes, veterans are invited to speak and testify concerning their
experiences during their missions, in front of a class of teenagers.
IV organise expositions and they cooperates with several Be media.
Only through the Institute for Veterans, but access
to information is still in preparation.
Since 1994 Belgium doesn’t have any conscripts anymore.
There exist no special programs for women or migrants.
Only through the Institute for Veterans, but access to information is
still in preparation.
QUESTIONS?
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
DEPARTURE OF TROOPS FOR COLONIAL WAR
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
DEPARTURE OF TROOPS FOR COLONIAL WAR
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14 YEARS
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14 YEARS
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14YEARS
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14YEARS
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14YEARS
COLONIAL WAR AND
VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14 YEAR WITHOUT POLITICAL SOLUTION
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14 YEAR WITHOUT POLITICAL SOLUTION
The human level, the consequences were tragic: 1,400,000 men mobilized,
9,000 deaths and nearly 30,000 injured, and 140,000 veterans suffering
from post-war disorders. Adding to these numbers there (not counted)
civilian casualties on both sides.
Inevitably, the lengthy process of decolonization led to one of the most
important social phenomena of our history: the return and integration in
Portugal, of from about 500,000 returned, mostly from Angola and
Mozambique.
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
FIGHTING OVER 14 YEAR WITHOUT POLITICAL SOLUTION
25 APRIL 1974
THE REVOLUTION
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
major associations of war veterans
ASSOCIATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE OF THE ARMED FORCES
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
major associations of war veterans
ASSOCIATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE OF THE ARMED FORCES
Associative privileged space for defining the policies of
rehabilitation and integration of the disabled soldiers, in particular,
and people with disabilities in general, in cooperation with the
CNRIPD - National Council for the Rehabilitation and Integration
of Persons with Disabilities, Movement of Persons with
Disabilities and other NGOs.
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
major associations of war veterans
ASSOCIAÇÃO PORTUGUESA DOS VETERANOS DE GUERRA
PORTUGUESE ASSOCIATION VETERANS OF WAR
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
major associations of war veterans
The Portuguese Association of war veterans aims to:
Contribute to the protection and support of its members,
veterans of war veterans and former military, and to their
households;
The provision of medical support in all specialties, including excombatants affected veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder or "shell shock “
Provision of psychological support
Provision of legal support
And yet the provision of educational and cultural support
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATION
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
LIGA DOS COMBATENTES aims to:
To promote the exaltation of loving the motherland and national
symbols
Promote international prestige of Portugal;
Promote the protection and mutual assistance of former combatants;
Collaborate with the public in helping former combatants;
Develop cultural and educational activities for the benefit of the country
and ex-combatants
COLONIAL WAR AND VETERANS
WAR VETERANS IN DEMOCRACY
FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS
Veteran Policy in Cyprus
During the Second World War about 20,000 Cypriots were fighting side by side under the order of
British army. Nowadays, only a few dozens of them are alive, all of them are in their late eighties or
early nineties. Greek Cypriot participants of this war established the Cyprus Veterans Association in
1964 and this Association aims at securing all the necessary benefits for the Veterans and their
dependants.
Apart from the veterans of the WWII, there are also veterans of EOKA (National Organisation of
Cypriot Fighters), a Greek Cypriot nationalist military resistance organisation that fought an armed
campaign for the end of British rule of Cyprus. The EOKA campaign lasted – officially – until 1959.
After independence EOKA fighters formed regional associations such as ΣΑΠΕΛ (Union of Fighters
of Limassol and district) that have been participating in commemorations, museum collections etc.
Another category of veterans are those who were fighting or had been captured during the Turkish
invasion in 1974. About 2,500 people were captured and kept in prison (about 937 of them were
militaries (conscripts); later they established the Pancyprian Association of War Prisoners.
1. Legislation
Cyprus openly supports Veterans through government programs. A number of different supporting
measures have been taken by the Government, namely:
a) Army service in the Cyprus Regiment or in the Cyprus Volunteer Forces during 1939 – 1945 was
recognised as pensionable service by the Law No 2/81 of 1981 (for civil servants) and by the Law
No 100(I)99 of 1999 (for the employees of all public utilities);
b) In 2003 the Government of Cyprus introduced honorary pension for the WWII Veterans;
c) In 2008 the Cyprus Parliament adopted a Law, according to which the same honour / priveledges
will be given to both captured / prisoners of the 1974 War and to those who were fighting for the
freedon of Cyprus: free healthcare in public hospitals, assistance of the Welfare Office etc.
d) According to the International law and as has been recognised by the Cyprus Government,
militaries after their arrest are exempted from their military service as prisoners of war and
Most support is being provided by the decisions of the President of Cyprus or of the Council of
Ministers.
2. Impelementation
The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bear the responsibility of
implementation of the above-named legilslation.
3. Definition
The Cyprus legislation provides for no official definition of a term ‘veteran’.
However according to the Statute of the Veterans’ Association, a ‘veteran’ is defined as
- a Cypriot who served for more than six months in the Cyprus or Allied Forces during the WWII
(Ordinary members);
- a Cypriot who had served in the Cyprus or Allied Forces during the WWI (Associate members).
All veterans are entitled to the same support measures of the Government.
As to the veterans of the 1974 War, only those who were in prison or captured by Turkish army enjoy
special treatment.
4. Support
a) Priviledges and benefits: pension donations (about €120 each month) are being given to Veterans
In case of death, such pension donations are being transferred to their spouses. They are about
818 plus 195 Veterans’ widows. No facilities are being provided for the utility bills payments. As
for veterans who were prisoners or those who were captured at 1974 war, the Government gave
them priority to be appointed in public services.
Pension donations are also being provided to the veterans of EOKA and to the prisoners of the
1974 War. They had been exempted from military service. In addition, they also had the
privilidge to be appointed in public sevtor.
b) Healthcare: unfortunately, generally there is no special plan for the healthcare of veterans, nor
any support to the members of their families / defendants. Veterans do not have priority in Public
Hospitals of Cyprus. At the same time, there is a small hospital for the fighters of EOKA (that
founded by donations) where they can be treated almost for free. Prisoners of the 1974 War and
members of their families are also entitled to the free treatment in public hospitals.
5. Communication
The first Cyprus Veterans Association was founded in 1964-1965 for the veterans of the WWII. Later
the EOKA Veterans’ Association and the Pancyprian Association of War Prisoners were established.
These organisations promote welfare and interests of veterans. All veterans are able to make contact
and ask for assistance or advice. All veterans can become members of these Associations at any time.
6. Social recognition
Cyprus has traditions to honor its veterans. The Remembrance Day (which is held on November the
11th) and is focused mostly on the Veterans who died during the WWII. A red or white poppy is
worn on the lapel (for remembrance or for peace, respectively) in the weeks up to the date, and
wreaths and flowers laid at memorials to the dead. This campaign is intended to remind the people of
Cyprus of the debt they owe to those who died during the two world wars. Donations received during
the campaign are credited to the bank accounts and are being used throughout the year for the needs
of Veterans and of their families. The poppies used during the campaign are supplied free of charge.
In 1995 the Association erected a War Memorial with the grant from the Cyprus Government. 358
names of those who died during the WWII trying to defense our country have been inscribed on it.
In 1997 and in 2004 two more Memorials were erected in Paphos and Larnaca accordingly.
As to the EOKA fighters, in the 90's a dedicated old people's home for ex EOKA fighters was
constructed in the village of Palodhia, near Limassol. Also, a museum dedicated to the EOKA fight
was created in 1960 and is located in the centre of Nicosia. The guerilla methods of EOKA, and the
nature of its struggle, has served as a widely studied example for other anticolonial, nationalliberation struggles in the period of decolonisation. In its official website, the Cyprus government
mentions EOKA as an organisation that waged an "armed struggle" against the British.
7. Negotiating partners
All the Governments were and are still economically supporting Veterans. For example, they partial
contibexpenses of the Associations (€1,000 are being provided yearly to the Association of Veterans
of the WWII by each Government). All the Veteran Associations / Organisations are negotiating
partners at the local and governmental level.
Even though the Veterans of Cyprus enjoy a number of privilidges and are being supported by the
Government, they are still not enough and should be extended. The most positive is that all the Veterans
have their own associations to which they can always address their problems. Also, the Government of
Cyprus is also entitled to provide any assistance to the veterans who refer to them with their requests.