Martynas doesn’t have to enlist in the Lithuanian army because of his study: 'As a gay person, that would be life-threatening for me'

^{This article is also available in Dutch} 

In 2015, Lithuania reintroduced obligatory military service, after concerns over Russia’s influence after, among other things, the annexation of the Crimea. All men between the age of 18 and 25 were required to participate in a draw that decided whether they should put their lives on hold for a year to join the army. In that year they receive an intensive military training, in which you are prepared for the worst scenarios, including an invasion of Russia.

Martynas, now a fourth-year CMGT student, has already been drawn four times, but was still able to avoid military service. Thanks to his studies, because there are a few ways to avoid military service. First, for medical reasons, anyone who is not physically fit cannot be a decent soldier. Another way is doing a study: you do not have to join the army if you can prove that you study. Therefore, you must have recent papers that show that you are still a student, you need to have an active student ID and they must be able to call your school. “This is how they want to find out whether young people have only registered for a study to avoid the army. Fortunately, this way has worked for me.”

Mandatory enlistment is, according to Martynas, the reason that many young people leave Lithuania and never come back. Once he is 25, he basically does not have to worry about the military anymore. Yet, he remains anxious to return. “The rules change so often, that the maximum age may go to 28. So I am not safe yet.”

Mandatory enlistment is, according to Martynas, the reason that many young people leave Lithuania and never come back. Once he is 25, he basically does not have to worry about the military anymore. Yet, he remains anxious to return. “The rules change so often, that the maximum age may go to 28. So I am not safe yet.”

His sexual orientation is an important reason that he does not feel safe. “Although on paper it all seems okay in Lithuania, it is very dangerous for me to be a homosexual in the army or to live in Lithuania at all. There is a lot of discrimination and violence against the entire rainbow community in Lithuania. In the military, I’d probably get to see every corner of the base or I’d fear being killed.”

The people who are in favor of mandatory enlistment, are mainly the people who do not have to join the army themselves, according to Martynas. “The elderly, but also women, think that you should do something for your country. By the way,  I do not mind that women do not have to join the army, I actually just want no one to have join the army, if they do not want to.

He is frustrated. “I do not want to risk my life for a country that has caused me nothing but suffering.” As soon as he finishes studying, Martynas plans to officially become a Dutch citizen. “I do not see a future for me in Lithuania.”