A package of legislative amendments aimed at preventing family and domestic violence has been submitted for discussion to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs. The proposed changes would introduce tougher penalties for domestic violence offenses.
Zaruhi Batoyan, a member of parliament and co-author of the initiative, outlined the proposed regulations, Factor.am reports.
“What are the key proposed changes?
Elimination of warnings. The proposal seeks to abolish warnings as a protective measure because they have not demonstrated genuine effectiveness. Instead, a system of preventive registration for victims of violence would be introduced to ensure they remain under the continuous attention of law enforcement authorities.
Mandatory police reporting within 12 hours. Police officers would be required to report suspected crimes to the investigative authorities within a maximum of 12 hours after learning of an incident, provided there are indications of a possible criminal offense. In addition, officers responding to emergency calls would be required to wear body cameras.
Extension of protective orders. Where criminal proceedings are underway, protective orders or emergency intervention orders would remain in force for up to two months, regardless of previous restrictions, until the accused is taken into custody or special protective measures are applied.
Mandatory rehabilitation programs. Individuals who commit violence would be required to participate in rehabilitation programs under both protective orders and emergency intervention orders. Failure to comply with this obligation would result in legal liability.
Protection of persons with disabilities. The definition of physical violence would be expanded to include depriving individuals of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and hearing aids, or damaging such equipment. If an intervention order is issued against the sole caregiver of a person with disabilities, the police would be required to arrange alternative care immediately.
Stricter penalties and restrictions on shared residence. Domestic violence offenses would be addressed in separate chapters of the Criminal Code, with more severe penalties. Exemption from criminal liability on the grounds of ‘active repentance’ would no longer be permitted. House arrest could not be imposed if the accused and the victim live under the same roof and it is impossible to arrange for the victim to relocate to another residence.
Single questioning of victims. To prevent secondary victimization, victims would be questioned only once, except when new circumstances emerge,” Batoyan said while presenting the proposed amendments.
The legislative initiative also предусматривает amendments to the Law on Probation and the Penitentiary Code, incorporating provisions related to rehabilitation programs. The proposed effective date for these regulations is July 1, 2028.
Committee chair Lilit Galstyan, a lawmaker from the opposition Armenia parliamentary faction, acknowledged that the proposed legislative amendments and mechanisms are important and necessary. At the same time, she expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the way the initiative was being considered and the decision to use an accelerated procedure.
According to Galstyan, an extraordinary review of such a comprehensive legislative package, which is of considerable public interest, could negatively affect the quality of the legislation, particularly when additional draft laws are being incorporated into it.
The lawmaker emphasized that this approach to parliamentary deliberations does not give members of parliament and committee members sufficient opportunity to thoroughly examine the submitted documents, fully understand the proposed regulations or engage in substantive, in-depth discussions about them.
