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Legislative reforms are necessary in Armenia to lead human rights protection to a higher level, a former Human Rights Defender of Armenia said on Monday.

At a news conference on the Human Rights Day, Larisa Alaverdyan pointed to the legislative gaps in the sphere. “Let’s begin with the domestic violence bill. We welcome such legislative measures, but we express regrets that we have come to a point when our traditional ‘attitude’ is not enough to prevent domestic abuses. It is already enough to point to the fatalities, and for a traditional family, society it should be such a shocking fact that puts an end to all discussions,” she said. Alaverdyan stated the discussions on the draft law should only be aimed at clarifying the existing formulations and the necessity of sub-legislative acts in its regard.

According to Larisa Alaverdyan, who also heads Against Violation of Law NGO, there is an issue of legislative reforms, including ill-treatment. She also highlighted the small successes mentioned constantly in this direction are not enough to claim a positive trend has been recorded in the field, adding there is still much to be done.

Ara Gharagyozyan, a lawyer at the Against Violation of Law NGO, pointed to the massive and overt violations of journalists’ rights in the past two years. He stated uncovering a number of rights abuse cases and subjecting some officials to responsibility cannot mark a progress in the human rights sphere. Mr. Gharagyozyan cited the lack of independent courts and judges.

The lawyer expressed hope the courts will someday act independently in Armenia.

Shoghine Soghomonyan, Director of the Yerevan office of Against Violation of Law NGO, added a total of 382 beneficiaries have sought human rights protection from them in various spheres in 2017, adding the organization’s lawyers are currently dealing with 35 court cases.

She noted 65 imprisoned citizens having their rights violated have applied to them, with the organization providing psychological and social support to the applicants.

The Against Violation of Law NGO has seven cases submitted to the European Court of Human Rights.