11:15,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian parliament on Tuesday ratified the Protocol N. 13 to the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty in All Circumstances.

The protocol was ratified with 87 votes in favor and 7 abstentions.

Deputy Minister of Justice Karen Karapetyan told lawmakers earlier on Monday that the protocol was signed by Armenia in 2006 but hasn’t been ratified since. “Whereas, this protocol is one of the unique international documents for which every year, as part of the universal campaign for abolition of death penalty, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers is making written inquiries to Council of Europe member countries who haven’t ratified it, to clarify the reasons for delay,” he said.

“The ratification of the protocol is in line with Armenia’s policy as a country that is in favor of full abolition of death penalty. Moreover, death penalty is already prohibited by the Armenian constitution. The number 13 protocol is in line with the international obligations already assumed by Armenia,” Karapetyan added.