The government is discussing a package of legislative amendments that defines domestic and household violence as a separate criminal offense in the Criminal Code. The initiative was authored by Civil Contract faction members of the National Assembly Zaruhi Batoyan, Sona Ghazaryan, and Tsovinar Vardanyan.
Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan presented the key points of the bill, emphasizing that violence cannot be considered a purely personal or family matter. The state is assuming responsibility for responding quickly and preventing such cases. According to the draft, all cases of violence will become matters of public prosecution, regardless of the victim's complaint. Termination of cases through reconciliation will also be prohibited.
Plans are in place to strengthen protections for victims. Perpetrators will be prohibited from staying at home if the victim continues to reside there, and the monitoring of protection measures will be ensured through electronic devices. Repeated questioning of victims will be restricted, preventing them from being subjected to additional trauma. The previously existing "warning" mechanism is being removed, as it has proven ineffective in practice.
Police officers will be required to wear body cameras to ensure evidence is fully recorded at the scene. Individuals who commit acts of violence will be required to undergo rehabilitation programs. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that this initiative is the state's move toward seriously addressing the issue, as previous regulations were more of a concession to external demands.
This initiative represents a fundamental shift in state policy, as domestic violence is being moved out of the category of a "behind closed doors" issue. When the state stops relying on the victim's complaint, it effectively signals that violence is a threat to public safety, rather than a private dispute.
Notably, there is a requirement to remove the perpetrator from their place of residence. This is a significant change in practice, which was previously ignored, often leaving victims unprotected. How the electronic monitoring tools will be implemented and whether resources will be sufficient will become clear during the enforcement phase of the law.
