Back Collaborative efforts to implement new domestic violence legislation in Armenia

Collaborative efforts to implement new domestic violence legislation in Armenia

On 23 May 2024, representatives of the Armenian National Assembly, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Investigative Committee, Court of Cassation, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Labour and Social Affairs, Justice, Health, Education, Science, Culture and Sports and civil society organisations (CSOs) gathered to discuss recent amendments to the national legislation on domestic violence. This discussion marked the initial step in a series of dialogues aimed at fostering further cooperation and knowledge-building regarding the amended domestic violence legislation in Armenia.

These amendments, which will enter into force on 1 July 2024, include clarifying existing definitions and introducing new ones to align them with national criminal legislation and international standards, namely the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence.

Participants discussed practical implementation strategies, criminal and court proceedings, and the provision of victim support and protection. They also explored the needed secondary legislative acts, changes in internal mechanisms, and enhanced interagency cooperation, including with support service agencies and CSOs.

“This discussion is crucial for preparing our officials to handle domestic violence cases effectively and to ensure smooth implementation of the legislative amendments. We are committed to ongoing discussions and cooperation to equip police officers with necessary internal regulations and mechanisms, working closely with all relevant agencies and CSOs to ensure effective victim protection,” stated Edgar Petrosyan, Head of the Department on Protection of Juveniles' Rights and Combating Domestic Violence at the General Department of Criminal Intelligence of the Police of the Republic of Armenia.

The round-table discussion was organised under the Council of Europe project “Ending violence against women and promoting gender equality in Armenia,” in partnership with the Police of the Republic of Armenia.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 23 MAY 2024
  • Diminuer la taille du texte
  • Augmenter la taille du texte
  • Imprimer la page

Start date: 01 January 2023

Duration: 24 months

Donors: Donors contributing to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026

Budget: 957,000 EUR

Partners: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, The Human Rights Defender's Office the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia/RA Police, Investigation Committee of the Republic of Armenia

Contact person: Ms Liana Amirbekyan, Senior Project Officer

The Council of Europe project aims at strengthening the capacities and co-operation among stakeholders to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, including digital violence, as enshrined in the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), and at advancing de facto gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

The project builds on the lessons learned from the project “Preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in Armenia: continuing the path towards ratification of the Istanbul Convention” which ended in December 2022.

The project provides support in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment (WE) and combating violence against women (VAW) and domestic violence (DV) by increasing knowledge, enhancing inter-agency co-operation line with European standards and best practices. The project's long-term impact expectation is that women in Armenia benefit from gender equality and protection against all forms of violence against women.

The project contributes to the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Armenia for 2023–2024 so that:

  • Armenia is better prepared for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention
  • The Armenian legal and policy framework on preventing and combating domestic violence is in line with Council of Europe standards
  • Women victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence, including the most disadvantaged, have better access to justice and support services
  • Law enforcement officers, social workers, and other relevant professionals have a better understanding of European standards and gender-sensitive approaches related to the work with victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence

The project will act in three areas: 

  • In Area 1 (VAW/DV), the Council of Europe focuses on supporting authorities in their efforts to align their policy and institutional framework to the Istanbul Convention, providing evidence-based knowledge and promising practices. Special emphasis is put on promoting inter-agency cooperation.   The project will initiate work on emerging forms of VAW following the adoption of the first GREVIO General Recommendation N.1 on the digital dimension of VAW.

 

In January 2024 the project incorporated a new component to assist Armenian authorities in enhancing strategies and policies addressing the needs of refugee women and girls, raising awareness, and supporting their integration and empowerment.
  • In Area 3 (Refugee rights) the project specifically focuses on supporting authorities in formulating policies and practices for the rights of refugee women and girls. This support is guided by relevant European standards, recommendations and strategies. Furthermore, the project aims to promote gender-sensitive economic and social inclusion and integration of women and girls in local communities, establish a platform for civil society's advocacy about the rights of refugee women and girls, as well as expand media specialists’ skills in reporting on women refugees and victims of war. 

 

The project is implemented by the Capacity Building and Co-operation Projects Unit at the Council of Europe's Gender Equality Division together with the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan.

Resources and publications

 Factsheet "Istanbul Convention Myths and Facts"

 Brochure "Why do we need Istanbul Convention" 

 Methodology for civil society organisations to run communication/advocacy campaigns to promote the values, aims and main provisions of the Istanbul Convention    

 Checklist for civil society organisations to run communications/advocacy campaigns to promote the values, aims and main provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

 Poster “Istanbul Convention requirement of putting the needs and rights of victims at the heart of  services. What does this mean for victims?”

 Infographic  “Journey of a domestic violence survivor to access support services WITH the support of the Istanbul Convention and WITHOUT the support of the Istanbul Convention”

 Knowledge pack (other visibility materials, documents, and examples)

  Brochure "SEXISM: SEE IT, NAME IT, STOP IT !"

 Brochure "Sustaining Progress towards Ending Violence against Women and Girls"

  Research study: "Electronic monitoring in interpersonal violence cases: standards, principles and state practice"

HELP ONLINE COURSES
Istanbul Convention

Baseline study on domestic violence in Armenia

Baseline study


 

Guidelines for gender sensitive journalism


 

Stalking as a specific criminal offence


 

Digital dimension of violence against women in Armenia


 

Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)17 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls