Armenia's acceptance to the Council of Europe in early 2001 illustrated a push towards the complete eradication of the death penalty with an official suspension of the death penalty being enforced shortly after joining the union. The Council of Europe has made the termination of the death penalty a necessity for membership hence, upon gaining membership status, Armenia had to sign Protocol No. 6. The European Convention on Human Rights which was enforced and used by the Council of Europe stated that, under Section I, Article 2, “Everyone's right to life shall be protected by law” and that, under Protocol No. 6, Article 1 “The death penalty shall be abolished”. Nevertheless, Armenia's loyalty was tested when five criminals shot up parliament, killing the current prime minister and other governmental officials.