“If you wait for the right time, it will never come”

Today, the analysis of criminal legislation in terms of the standards set out in the Convention on the Prevention and Combating Violence and Domestic Violence against Women (the Istanbul Convention) has been published. International and local experts have examined the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, comparing the criteria set out both by the Istanbul Convention and by the European Court of Human Rights, by the national legislation of the CE Member States.

One of the main conclusions contained in the report is that Armenia should provide a comprehensive legal framework to prevent violence against women, to protect the victims and to commit offenders.

Natalia Vutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, also participated in the presentation of the report, calling on the Armenian authorities to join the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Domestic Violence. Vutova mentioned that Armenia is one of the few countries in the Council of Europe that has not signed the Istanbul Convention yet. “Armenia can use the Convention as a roadmap for legal reforms.”

The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan noted that in these days, the question is whether it is the proper time to have a law on domestic violence. “My answer is yes. It’s always the right time. If you wait for the right time, it will never come”.

Full text in Armenian