Armenia Strengthens Laws Against Child Sexual Abuse
Armenia to Expand Child Sexual Abuse Liability; ECHR Says Country's Current Laws Are Inadequate
Armenia's Ministry of Justice is moving to expand criminal liability for sexual crimes against children, particularly in cases involving authority figures. The proposed legislation would tighten penalties when abuse is committed by employees of educational, medical, or care institutions, or by individuals in positions of trust with access to minors.
The initiative follows criticism from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which determined that Armenia's current legal framework inadequately protects children in vulnerable situations. The expansion aims to address gaps in existing statutes and strengthen safeguards for minors under institutional and community care.
The measure reflects Armenia's broader efforts to align its criminal justice system with international human rights standards and strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.