ArmInfo. The Venice Commission has published the full text of the opinion on the constitutional consequences of ratification of the Istanbul Convention by Armenia. So, in conclusion of the 26-page document, it is indicated that the ratification of this document is the sovereign right of each state, which must decide whether it wants it or not. The document also expressed the belief that ratification of this document would be of great benefit to victims of domestic violence. The full report of the Venice Commission can be found at the following link: https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL-AD(2019)018-e.
Earlier, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maria Peychinovich Burich noted that there are no contradictions between the Convention and the Constitution of Armenia. <This is very important for Armenia itself, which can sovereignly decide on ratification, but is also a good example for other countries that may face some fears within the country or misconceptions that spread around the Convention. It is very important to note that the Convention for the Suppression of Violence against Women is nothing more than that, but no less>, she said.
Recall that the Minister of Justice of Armenia Rustam Badasyan requested the opinion of the Venice Commission on the constitutional consequences of ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) for Armenia.
Recall that Armenia is preparing to ratify the Istanbul Convention, which is opposed by the Armenian Apostolic Church. Particularly the AAC focuses on the inadmissibility of the provision of the document "on freedom of choice of sex". "The Christian approach to the rights and freedoms of the individual eliminates the distortion or alteration of the human identity created by God," the AAC said in a statement calling on the authorities to refrain from ratifying this document.