A/HRC/44/10
62.
Armenia was in the final phase of ratifying the Istanbul Convention. The draft
Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were already in full compliance with that
Convention.
63.
A separate chapter of the new Criminal Code was devoted to crimes against the
interests of the family and child. Within that framework, corpus delicti for the sale of a
child was envisaged. The National Strategy for Human Rights Protection provided concrete
actions for child protection. The Government was enhancing the juvenile justice system
through a permanently functioning multi-agency Council for Juvenile Justice.
64.
In 2019, the Government had approved the Penitentiary Reform Strategy aimed at
enhancing material, sanitary, health and other conditions, as well as providing programmes
for activities, vocational training and employment possibilities for inmates.
65.
Investigations into cases of torture and ill-treatment were carried out in close
cooperation with the relevant State agencies and had the potential to increase. The efforts
by the National Preventive Mechanism within the Human Rights Defender’s Office were
noteworthy in that respect.
66.
According to the new regulations regarding cases of domestic violence, the
Prosecutor General would trigger criminal proceedings irrespective of the existence of a
complaint by a victim.
67.
As regards the crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, all
allegations were thoroughly examined and law enforcement bodies gave due account to the
investigation of the motives of such criminal actions.
68.
In order to prevent torture and ill-treatment, the police had taken a number of
legislative and practical measures. The law on the police regulated the use of audio and
video recordings by the police, and training regarding their use was conducted for law
enforcement personnel. Armenia also continued to improve detention conditions and the
recommendations of the Human Rights Defender and public observers were taken into
account.
69.
The reform of the electoral legislation had resulted in the adoption of a new
Electoral Code in 2016. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European
Commission for Democracy through Law had positively evaluated the Code. Following the
2018 extraordinary parliamentary elections, the Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights had concluded that the elections had been conducted in compliance with
fundamental rights and enjoyed the trust of society. For the first time in the history of
independent Armenia, the elections had not been contested in court.
70.
The Philippines appreciated efforts to reduce poverty and ensure inclusive
development.
71.
Poland welcomed achievements aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights
of the child, including child victims of trafficking in persons, and at promoting the
empowerment of women. It invited Armenia to devote more attention to the rights of
persons with disabilities.
72.
Portugal was concerned about reports of the prevalence of domestic violence against
women.
73.
The Republic of Moldova made recommendations.
74.
Romania acknowledged the positive results in the conduct of free and fair elections
and regarding the freedoms of assembly, expression and the media.
75.
The Russian Federation positively assessed the implementation of programmes to
ensure the rule of law, the development of democratic institutions, the fight against
corruption and economic development.
76.
Senegal welcomed efforts to transpose all international legal norms in the field of
human rights into the Constitution.
77.
Serbia commended the adoption of the National Strategy for Human Rights
Protection and its action plans.
6