On 5 December 2024, a Working Group meeting was held in Yerevan with a focus on the draft legislative package amending the Law on Probation, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Penitentiary Code. This initiative reflects Armenia's commitment to aligning its probation system with international standards and modernising its approach to offender rehabilitation and crime prevention.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Probation Service, and other key institutions, alongside international and national experts supported by the Council of Europe. The participants of these discussions emphasized the critical importance of integrating the Law on Probation with Armenia’s Criminal and Penitentiary Codes introduced recently.

The Council of Europe, upon request from the Ministry of Justice, has been supporting the Working Group.  The Organisation’s consultants conducted a comprehensive review of the Law on Probation, identifying gaps and inconsistencies with related legislation. They have also reviewed the legislative package prepared by the Working Group, proposing ways to enhance its compliance with the Council of Europe recommendations.

Key proposals discussed during the session focus on expanding inter-agency collaboration, formalising coordination mechanisms, and refining the use of mediation as a restorative justice tool. The establishment of an inter-agency cooperation with streamlined stakeholder roles and responsibilities was highlighted as a priority, along with measures to reduce overlapping competencies and inefficiencies.

The ongoing dialogue among stakeholders will ensure that the legislative reforms effectively address current challenges, paving the way for a more efficient and humane criminal justice system in Armenia.

This event is part of the Project “Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia” funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 and represents a major milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the Council of Europe and the Republic of Armenia.