If the Convention is Signed, it Must Also be Ratified. Batoyan

If the convention is signed, it must also be ratified: This was stated today by Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Zaruhi Batoyan in a conversation with journalists in the National Assembly.

"This is an international obligation as it is with all other conventions, and in this case, the Istanbul Convention. The Government of Armenia has committed to respecting human rights, they have signed it, and now it must be ratified," she noted.

Regarding the public dissatisfaction arising around the Istanbul Convention and the question of labeling it as anti-state, Zaruhi Batoyan stated that she cannot comment.

“Our function is to support those who have suffered from domestic or family violence, and we also provide them with social support. I believe that violence against women should be prevented, and programs should be implemented,” she said.

When asked whether without the ratification of the Istanbul Convention it is possible to prevent violence against women under the existing legislation, the minister replied: “Our existing legislation is flawed, we are working in that direction, but the convention will support us in having better mechanisms.”