International Mechanism Submissions

Domestic violence remains a widespread problem in Armenia. Over 700 cases of abuse were reported in 2018, and 62 women died between 2010 and 2017. Victims of domestic violence receive little support; there are no state-run shelters, and a shortage of NGO-run shelters. Law enforcement and judges are not properly trained to process domestic violence cases, and often engage in victim-blaming behavior, rendering victims unprotected from further instances of abuse. Often abusers are not held accountable under the law until one or several victims have been killed. Many NGO's and human rights defenders who support victims of domestic violence are often targeted by extremist groups as "Destroyers of families". 

During its 2nd Cycle UPR, Armenia accepted many recommendations related to gender equality and domestic violence, but noted recommendations relating to gender discrimination. The government also passed the Prevention of Violence within the Family, Protection of Victims of Violence within the Family and Restoration of Peace in the Family law in 2017. The law is beneficial in that it defines domestic violence and obliges regions to establish support centers; however, it fails to criminalize domestic violence, and over emphasizes keeping families together, which hinders a woman's capacity to divorce their abuser. As such, the law fails to meet international standards.