ArmInfo.In Yerevan, a protest rally against the Lanzarote Convention is going on in front of the residence of the President of the Republic of Armenia. Participants of the rally demand that President Armen Sarkissian not sign the relevant document, stating that this Convention contradicts national values. In addition, dissatisfaction is also voiced with the fact that the Convention implies the use of a number of mechanisms in the educational sector , which, according to the protesters, may lead to an teaching the basics of sexual education in schools.
To note, the protest is small in number quantity, and at the moment there are more law enforcement officers than the protesters themselves.
To recall, on May 11, the Armenian parliament approved a bill on ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse signed in Lanzarote. The CE Convention was adopted on October 25, 2007, and entered into force on July 1, 2010. It is signed by 47 countries and has entered into force in 45 states. The Republic of Armenia signed the Convention on September 29, 2010. The Convention, setting common standards and definitions applicable in all European countries, is designed to protect children from sexual exploitation and use. The objectives of the convention are the prevention and combating of sexual exploitation of children and sexual violence, the protection of the rights of children affected by sexual crimes, and the promotion of domestic and international cooperation in combating sexual exploitation and sexual violence against children.
By ratifying this Convention, the Republic of Armenia undertakes to take the necessary legislative or other measures to prevent all forms of sexual exploitation and use of children, as well as protect children, including the development and implementation of appropriate mechanisms, especially in the fields of education, health care, social services, as well as in law enforcement and judicial authorities. Cooperation between the States Parties to the Convention will be carried out with the aim of preventing and combating the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, protecting and assisting victims of violence, conducting investigations and proceedings provided for in the Convention.
Thus, ratification of the Convention will create an opportunity to introduce relevant legislative amendments to the Republic of Armenia aimed at combating the sexual exploitation of children and sexual violence, protecting the rights of children affected by sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Moreover, the ratification of the Convention will promote priority attention to ensuring the best interests of the child in all actions regarding children, and stimulate international cooperation between the parties to the Convention.