Armenian MPs urge for stricter punishment for pedophilia

Senior members of Armenia’s National Assembly have proposed amendments to the Criminal Code in an effort to prevent or establish a stricter liability for crimes directed against an individual’s sexual immunity.

Speaking to Tert.am, Head of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs David Harutyunyan said the idea stems from an earlier bill proposing a stricter punishment for the crime of pedophilia.

“This is not about proposing stricter measures only; there are a number of clarifications. That’s not just about terms, but also consent or the exclusion of consent [for individuals] below a certain age limit. We are trying to take realities into consideration,” he said.

Commenting further on the proposal, Head of the Standing Committee on European Integration Naira Zohrabyan said they found the measure necessary, considering the existing sanctions against sexual crimes not absolutely lawful and proportionate.

“I personally was in favor of more radical methods, but we arrived at this option as a compromise,” she said.

Under the earlier bill, the former independent MP Victor Dallakyan proposed chemical castration as a form of punishment for pedophiles.

Asked whether she considered castration a radical punishment, Zohrabyan answered in the positive.

As for the proposal at issue, the State and Legal Committee’s chief said it doesn’t definitely give an answer to that. “The bill provides no answer to the question now as it requires a further consideration,” said the legislator.

According to him, the effectiveness and the methods of enforcing the punishment have to be considered before making a final decision.

“Chemical castration is a temporary measure; that’s not forever. It means the person has to all the time receive treatments [injections], which is voluntary. All these questions have to be clearly understood,” he explained.

The issue is now high on the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) agenda, the method being compulsory in certain member state and voluntary in others. The PACE requirement is to make castration a voluntary measure.

As for the entire draft, it envisages essential changes in the Criminal Code chapter establishing punishments for crimes of sexual nature.

More serious punishments are proposed for the sexual crimes against the minors.

Under the legislation in effect, rape or violent sexual crimes committed against a pregnant woman or under the threat of gun, as well as against individuals in penitentiary, medical institutions and military units are not considered aggravating circumstances.

The new proposal was included in the parliament agenda in May.