Within the framework of the program «Overcoming Violence against Women and Strengthening Gender Equality in Armenia» implemented by Yerevan Office of the Council of Europe, two days training was organized and held in Tsaghkadzor for the investigators of the RA Investigative Committee.

It was aimed at prevention of violence against women and of domestic violence, improvement of the criminal legal toolkit to fight against it, based on the amendments in the national legislation made in 2024 to increase effectiveness of fight against domestic violence.

24 investigators of the Central Office, as well as territorial subdivisions of the RA Investigative Committee, who investigate cases of domestic and gender-based violence, took part in the training.

Arsen Ayvazyan, Deputy Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee, Maxime Longangué, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Liana Amirbekyan, manager of the mentioned program of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan made opening speeches.

The Deputy Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee thanked the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan for organizing the training which, in the light of the recent important legislative amendments made in the RA in the field of combating domestic and gender-based violence, will help the development of professional capacities of the RA IC investigators.

Arsen Ayvazyan informed about the RA IC initiatives aimed at prevention of violence against women and domestic violence, in the context of criminal legal fight, development of the investigators’ professional capacities based on international toolkit and applicable standards, as well as at raising legal awareness with the younger generation, the implementation of awareness activities necessary for preventive purposes, about the policy aimed at increasing the number of female investigators in the system and about the positive trends recorded.

Maxime Longangué, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan first expressed appreciation for the effective cooperation with the RA Investigative Committee and active involvement. He highlighted the promotion of cooperation in terms of the alignment of international standards and national legislation, effective protection of the rights of the victims of domestic violence. According to Mr. Longangué, getting acquainted with the best international experience in the course of investigation of cases of domestic and gender-based violence can arm the investigators for effective investigation and feedback of similar cases in Armenia.

The training was held by international and Armenian experts who presented the European, conventional standards of fight against violence against women and domestic violence, obligations of states, best international experience and reforms of the RA legislation.

Issues related to investigative mechanisms aimed at strengthening the criminal prosecution against criminals within criminal proceedings on violence against women and domestic violence, characteristics of treatment to victims and victim-centered approaches, interdepartmental cooperation, improvement of work with sectoral public organizations were discussed.