Article 14 of the Oviedo Convention defines that the use of techniques of medically assisted procreation shall not be allowed for the purpose of choosing a future child's sex, except where serious hereditary sex-related disease is to be avoided.

Prior to the ratification of the Oviedo Convention by Armenia, a pivotal discussion on reproductive health rights was organized by the Council of Europe in Yerevan in close collaboration with the Standing Committees on Healthcare and Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly of RA to discuss the latest proposed changes and amendments in the RA legal framework with regards to reproductive health rights in line with European standards and best practices.

The discussion aimed at providing a platform for an open exchange of ideas between the National Assembly of RA and the Ministry of Health in the field of reproductive health rights, as well as ethical and human rights aspects of early marriages.

The discussion was opened by Laurence Lwoff, Head of Human Rights and Biomedicine Division, Narek Zeynalyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Healthcare of the National Assembly and Rustam Bakoyan, Acting Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly of RA. In her opening remarks, Laurence Lwoff emphasized the importance of safeguarding human rights in all areas of biomedicine, including reproductive medicine. She highlighted the Armenian Government’s commitment to continuously improve the national legislation in the field of biomedicine and healthcare in line with the principles of the Oviedo Convention.

The discussion covered a range of topics, including access to reproductive health care services, non-selection of sex of future child, age and reproductive healthcare services and the elimination of discrimination in reproductive health care. National and international experts of the Council of Europe presented national and European standards in the field.

This discussion marks a significant step towards advancing reproductive health rights in Armenia, reflecting the shared commitment of the Council of Europe and the Armenian Parliament.

The discussion was organised by the Council of Europe Project on “Protection of Human Rights in Biomedicine II” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.