JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP+) assessment of the Republic of Armenia covering the period 2020-2022 Accompanying the document Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2020-2022
Date: 2023-11-21
Institutions: Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
Subjects: Armenia, EU market, common commercial policy, development aid, generalised preferences, governance, human rights, international convention, sustainable development, tariff preference

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 21.11.2023  SWD(2023) 367 final  JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP+) assessment of the Republic of Armenia covering the period 2020-2022 Accompanying the document Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2020-2022 {JOIN(2023) 34 final} - {SWD(2023) 359 final} - {SWD(2023) 360 final} - {SWD(2023) 361 final} - {SWD(2023) 362 final} - {SWD(2023) 363 final} - {SWD(2023) 364 final} - {SWD(2023) 365 final} - {SWD(2023) 366 final} - {SWD(2023) 368 final}  
 
 
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA 

1.  SUMMARY ASSESSMENT 

The momentum of the Velvet Revolution and democratic changes of 2018 has continued 
in 2020-2022, although the Republic of Armenia (Armenia) faced significant challenges: 
the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  the  2020  war  in  and  around  Nagorno-Karabakh.  While 
benefitting from GSP during the period 2014-2022, Armenia made progress over time in 
implementation  of  the  27  GSP+  relevant  international  conventions,  though  concerns 
remained on the implementation of the related reforms. In January 2022 and after one-year 
transition period, Armenia graduated from GSP as the World Bank classified Armenia as 
an Upper Middle-Income Country for three consecutive years starting 2017. Despite the 
challenges  mentioned  above,  Armenia  maintained  this  income  classification.  While 
monitoring of GSP+ no longer applies to Armenia, many of the issues notably on labour 
rights  and  environmental  and  climate  standards,  will  continue  to  be  addressed  in  the 
implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement 
(CEPA), which entered into force on 1 March 2021. 

1.1.  Priorities and Monitoring 

During the 2020-2021 period, EU monitoring in cooperation with Armenian authorities 
focused on several priority areas, including on human rights: anti-discrimination, violence 
against women and domestic violence prevention, criminal justice system reform; and on 
anti-corruption under good governance cluster. Priorities on labour rights and environment 
are  also  relevant  under  CEPA  and  covered  in  the  Trade  and  Sustainable  Development 
chapter  implementation.  These  include  on  labour:  enforcement  and  implementation  of 
labour  standards,  child  labour  prevention,  freedom  of  association;  on  climate  and 
environment: effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 
the  Cartagena  Protocol  on  Biosafety,  and  the  Convention  on  International  Trade  in 
Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including Armenia’s Nationally Determined 
Contributions (NDCs).  

1.2.  Human Rights 

The revised Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code (adopted in 2021, entered 
into  force  in  July  2022)  partially  address  several  legislative  gaps  in  compliance  with 
international conventions including more comprehensive regulation of discrimination, hate 
speech,  and  hate  crimes.  These  do  not  explicitly  criminalise  domestic  violence,  while 
making some steps to address it. The new legislation represents a significant improvement 
in the criminal justice sector, providing for a modernised and humanised system. 

Progress was reported in protection against torture, notably in improving oversight of pre-
trial detention, conditions in places of detention, and providing for anonymous reporting 
of complaints related to torture.  

At the same time, discrimination and hate speech against LGBTIQ persons remain of great 
concern,  as  well  as  targeted  threats  against  human  rights  defenders  and  NGOs.  The 
Ombudsperson and police have taken some steps to address this.  

      Page | 1 

 
 
 
1.3.  Labour Rights  

Overall,  Armenian  authorities  took  steps  to  improve  labour  rights,  although  challenges 
remain.  They  made  efforts  to  address  the  GSP+  priority  issue  of  prevention  of  and 
protection against child labour, which will need to be further pursued. 

Regarding forced labour, actions have been taken in particular for the early identification 
of victims of trafficking in human beings; a definition of compulsory or forced labour has 
been introduced in the Labour Code in October 2022. As regards freedom of association 
and  the  right  to  organise  and  collective  bargaining,  the  Armenian  Government  began 
revising the relevant legal framework to respond to long-standing requests of International 
Labour  Organization  (ILO)  supervisory  bodies.  The  legal  framework  on  equal 
remuneration remains to be fully aligned with the requirements of ILO Convention No. 
100. As for non-discrimination in employment and occupation, amendments to the Labour 
Code of May 2023 introduced provisions to prohibit sexual harassment at work. Armenia 
made progress in the enforcement and implementation of labour standards by expanding 
the mandate and increasing the staff of the Health and Labour Inspection Body. It will be 
important to continue strengthening the labour inspections system.  

1.4.  Environment and Climate 

Armenia continues to face significant challenges in implementing CITES, lagging behind 
on compliance with the reporting obligations and alignment of legislation (remains ranked 
as  Category  3),  including  appropriate  penalties.  Armenia  made  progress  in  compliance 
with the reporting obligations under most multinational environmental agreements, but the 
exact extent of improvements in implementation is uncertain, as key legislation and policy 
documents,  such  as  the  update  of  the  National  Implementation  Plan  for  the  Stockholm 
Convention, are still in preparation.  

As regards the UNFCCC, Armenia has updated its Nationally Determined Contribution 
(NDC)  2021-2030  but  not  developed  a  long-term  low  emission  development  strategy. 
Implementation  of  Armenia’s  national  emission  reduction  targets  stemming  from  its 
updated  NDC  is  yet  to  be  seen.  In  terms  of  working  on  climate  change  adaptation,  a 
positive step was the adoption of the National Adaptation Plan 2021-2025. 

1.5.  Good Governance  

The  authorities  have  continued  making  progress  on  anti-corruption,  including  in  the 
implementation  of  the  Strategy  and  Action  Plan  for  judicial  and  legal  reforms;  and  the 
drafting  and  implementation  of  the  new  Anti-corruption  Strategy;  as  well  as  the 
establishment  of  the  Anti-Corruption  Committee  in  2021.  The  first  instance  Anti-
corruption  court  as  well  as  the  Anti-corruption  Chamber  of  Cassation  Court  have  been 
established and are operational since end of August 2022. These positive efforts should 
continue to consolidate the reforms. The drug control regime in Armenia does not raise 
major concerns, and drug use and drug trafficking are relatively limited. 

1.6. 

Status of Ratification and Reporting 

Armenia maintained ratification of all 27 conventions and has mostly reported according 
to the requirements (see Annex). Armenia made progress in compliance with the reporting 
obligations  under  Basel  Convention  on  the  Control  of  Transboundary  Movements  of 
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic 
Pollutants, and under the CBD and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. There are outstanding 
reports for CITES. 

Page | 2 

 
2.  LONG-TERM VIEW: ARMENIA SINCE JOINING GSP+ IN 2014  

Armenia became a GSP+ beneficiary on 1 January 2014. The country met all criteria for 
GSP+  entry,  given  it  was  economically  vulnerable,  had  ratified  the  GSP+  relevant 
conventions without reservations, and the latest monitoring body reports had not identified 
a serious failure to implement those conventions. Nonetheless, shortcomings were detected 
in areas such as civil and political rights, including incompatibility of some constitutional 
provisions;  a  slow  and  complicated  process  related  to  the  adoption  of  new  legislation 
giving effect to economic, social, and cultural rights; and the rights of women and children. 

Armenia made good progress over the years in addressing these and other shortcomings 
and consistently engaged in the GSP+ monitoring process. Armenian authorities welcomed 
two monitoring missions and extensively communicated with the EU on GSP+ relevant 
conventions  via  written  exchanges,  at  high-level  meetings  such  as  Human  Rights 
Dialogues and Trade and Partnership Committees.  

In general, progress in  aligning legislation and policies with international standards has 
been particularly strong – with only few areas still requiring attention, in particular gender 
equality and trade in endangered species. Key legislative reforms were carried out such as 
amendments  of  the  Constitution,  adoption  of  the  new  Criminal  Code,  of  the  Code  of 
Criminal Procedure, and of various relevant policy documents. More remains to be done 
regarding the enforcement and implementation of the legislation and policies, which have 
often been hindered by capacity and/or resource constraints.  

Since  2015,  Armenia  has  achieved  progress  in  addressing  forced  labour  by  adopting 
relevant laws and regulations on anti-trafficking and establishing a policy framework such 
as National Action Plans. As part of their implementation, training has been provided to 
civil servants and enforcement agencies’ staff, and information materials for officials and 
victims of trafficking have been developed. Support has also been provided to identified 
victims and some have received compensations from the state. Since 2014, the Armenian 
Government has made some progress in addressing child labour, e.g., through raising the 
upper  age  of  compulsory  education  and  making  amendments  to  the  Code  on 
Administrative  Offences  and  to  the  Criminal  Code.  Driven  by  extensive  international 
support, progress was achieved especially in the areas of climate change, in setting up the 
infrastructure  for  controlling  hydrofluorocarbons,  and  in  the  update  of  legislation  to 
address biodiversity and biosafety. Regarding anti-corruption efforts, Armenia has made 
remarkable  progress  since  2018.  Legislative  changes  to  align  the  legal  anti-corruption 
framework had already been made earlier, and enforcement and implementation of anti-
corruption strategies and measures accelerated. 

The  EU  imports  from  Armenia  mainly  manufactured  goods,  dominated  by  steel  and 
aluminium,  raw  materials,  beverages  and  tobacco.  EU  exports  to  Armenia  consist  of 
machinery  and  transport  equipment,  manufactured  goods,  and  chemicals.  According  to 
Eurostat data, Armenia’s exports to the EU have expanded over the years, from an average 
€254 million during the five years preceding entry into the GSP+ arrangement in 2014 to 
an  average  €388  million  since  then.  The  trend  has  been  especially  positive  since  2014. 
Because a sizable share of Armenia’s exports has been duty-free in the EU under the most 
favoured nation (MFN) clause, the combined share of GSP+ and other duty-free exports 
was close to 90% of Armenia’s total exports to the EU. The share of Armenia’s exports to 
the EU that were eligible for GSP+ preferences increased from under 40% (less than €100 
million) until 2014 to 70% in 2021 (more than €300 million). Likewise, the total value of 
preferential  imports  from  Armenia  into  the  EU  under  the  GSP+  increased,  from  €42 
million in 2014 to €225 million in 2021, the last year of Armenia benefitting from GSP 
preferences.  

Page | 3 

 
3.  RECENT DEVELOPMENTS  

Following  the  Velvet  Revolution  and  democratic  changes  of  2018,  the  Armenian 
Government has made commitments to enhance human rights and good governance and 
started  taking  legislative  and  other  steps  to  implement  them.  However,  Armenia  faced 
challenges which delayed the reform process, mainly with the COVID-19 pandemic and 
the  2020  war  in  and  around  Nagorno-Karabakh,  aggravated  by  the  unprovoked  and 
unjustified war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine. The uncertainty of the post-war 
situation  led  to  political  tensions  and  a  high  number  of  demonstrations  organised  by 
opposition groups. The snap parliamentary elections of June 2021 confirmed the mandate 
of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party with a high margin. 

On 1 March 2021, the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement 
entered into force. This represents a milestone for EU-Armenia relations by providing a 
framework for working together in a wide range of areas: strengthening democracy, the 
rule of law and human rights; creating more jobs and business opportunities, improving 
legislation, public safety, a cleaner environment,  and better education and opportunities 
for research. Despite the challenges, the Armenian Government reiterated its commitment 
to  the Agreement  as a blueprint for reforms, as well as  the human rights  and trade and 
sustainable development principles deriving from it.  

Armenia has embarked on the process of structural reforms ensuring the rule of law and 
modernisation  of  the  country,  with  a  focus  on  building  an  open  economy.  Despite  the 
challenges mentioned above, the Government has continued its reform strategy, albeit with 
slower pace. In particular, the authorities have reiterated their commitment to consolidate 
democratic  governance  and  the  rule  of  law,  including  the  goal  of  an  independent, 
accountable,  and  efficient  judiciary,  and  the  creation  of  a  competitive  business 
environment. 

The  continuing  tension  in  relations  with  Azerbaijan  in  2022  and  2023  pose  serious 
challenges  for  Armenia.  Most  recently,  following  Azerbaijan’s  military  operation  in 
Nagorno-Karabakh on 19-20 September 2023, Armenia has needed to absorb over 100,000 
Karabakh Armenians who fled their homes in a mass exodus to Armenia, while addressing 
internal  and  external  pressures.  In  this  context,  the  EU  is  recognised  as  an  important 
partner. 

Armenia continues to be affected by the closed borders with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. The 
dialogue with Türkiye has brought some hope but it has not yielded tangible results. Only 
two  land  borders,  with  Georgia  in  the  north  and  Iran  in  the  south,  remain  open.  This 
seriously affects Armenia's economic performance, hampering both imports and exports. 
Since Armenia is heavily politically and economically dependent on Russia, the Russian 
military aggression against Ukraine has led to uncertainty. On the one hand, numbers show 
an increase of the economic activity index of 14.5% for the first 10 months of 2022 (1), 
mainly due to the influx of Russian citizens and capital as well as an increase in prices of 
some exported commodities; on the other hand, this increase might be negatively affected 
by the slowing down of the economy of Russia, their major export market.  

Armenia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2) grew in 2021 by 5.7% following a decline 
of 7.2% in 2020. GDP per capita stood at €3,952 in 2021. Armenia's gross international 

(1)  Economic Activity Index is a monthly aggregate indicator of change in output real volume in economy. 
(2)   https://armstat.am/en/?nid=12&id=01001  

All links provided in this Staff Working Document were up to date as of 20 October 2023. 

Page | 4 

 
 
reserves increased by 23% and stood at €2.7 billion in 2021. The Central Bank of Armenia 
upgraded  its  growth  forecast  upwards  for  2022  from  4.9%  to  12.9%.  The  World  Bank 
revised its previous forecast for Armenia's GDP growth from 1.0% to 7.0% in 2022. The 
IMF estimated Armenia's GDP growth to have reached 12% in 2022 (3).  

EU–Armenia Development Cooperation 

The EU-Armenia bilateral development cooperation is based on the Joint Partnership Priorities 
and the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027 for Armenia. Cooperation is also 
guided under the Eastern Partnership framework, in particular through the Joint Communication 
of  March  2020  and  its  Joint  Staff  Working  Document  of  July  2021  including  the  recovery, 
resilience and reform agenda priorities, and the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP).  

The EU’s bilateral assistance actions are focused on the implementation of the CEPA. In 2021 
in  particular,  support  was  provided  for  resilient  and  accountable  institutions  with  focus  on 
strengthening reforms in service delivery in good governance, especially in rule of law, human 
rights, social protection, and police and migration reforms. Support was also provided with a 
Team  Europe  approach  to  the  socio-economic  recovery  of  the  southern  regions,  particularly 
Syunik which had been the most affected by the 2020 conflict. 2022 assistance focused on the 
continuation  of  the  previous  budget  support  programme  in  support  to  justice  reforms,  the 
implementation of the recently adopted Education Strategy with a focus on secondary schools 
in rural areas, as well as climate resilience notably by providing energy efficiency solutions in 
low-income rural areas households. Bilateral support also includes civil society.  

Under the EIP, the EU is delivering support to Armenian SMEs’ access to finance, the green 
transition in Yerevan, and socio-economic development of southern regions. The EIP and its 
flagship initiatives could bring important investment in the form of grants, loans and guarantees, 
and blended private investments to the country. 

As  Armenia's  key  partner  and  largest  development  cooperation  donor,  EU  support  was  not 
limited  only  to  sharing  its  own  reform  experience,  building  on  lessons  learnt  from  reforms 
carried out in other partner countries, and providing capacity-building support, but also material 
support including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

4.  EU-ARMENIA TRADE AND GSP+ 

According to the classification of the World Bank (4), Armenia moved from lower middle-
income  country  status  to  an  upper  middle-income  country  for  three  consecutive  years 
starting in 2018. Therefore, the European Commission – in line with the GSP Regulation 
– removed Armenia as a beneficiary country of both GSP+ and standard GSP as of January 
2022. The graduation happened after a transition period of one year to allow the country 
and economic operators to adapt to the revised country's status. The change in GSP status 
reflects  Armenia’s  positive  economic  development  and  integration  into  world  trading 
systems. In terms of tariffs, Armenia’s exports to the EU will continue under the agreed 
most favoured nation tariffs of the World Trade Organization (WTO).  

EU-Armenia relations are guided by the CEPA, provisionally applied since June 2018 and 
entered  fully  into  force  on  1  March  2021.  While  the  CEPA  does  not  include  tariff 
liberalisation, it aims to further improve EU-Armenia trade by enhancing the regulatory 
environment  for  businesses.  Armenian  exports  to  the  EU  in  2022  (i.e.,  one  year  since 
graduation from GSP) increased by 32% compared to 2021, thus demonstrating that the 
GSP+  graduation  had  not  had  a  negative  impact  on  trade  flows.  This  increase  also 

(3)  IMF World Economic Outlook Database October 2023 

(4)   https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/new-country-classifications-income-level-2018-2019  

Page | 5 

 
 
 
 
encompasses products that traditionally have used duty free access under GSP+ (textiles 
+16%, aluminium +63%), indicating a resilience of export links. 

Figures 1-4 below describe the use of GSP+ by Armenian exporters between 2019-2021 
in the context of the EU's overall imports from Armenia (5).  

Armenia traditionally has had good utilisation of GSP+ preferences, throughout the whole 
period of benefitting from the scheme at around 96-98% (Figure 1). Over €230 million 
worth of goods benefitted from GSP+ in 2021, an example of a strong post-COVID-19 
recovery. A large portion of Armenian imports into the EU benefit from GSP+, focused 
traditionally and in 2021 on iron and steel as well as base metals (Figure 3). These are also 
the products that incurred the most savings (Figure 4).  

Figure 1: EU imports from Armenia and GSP+ utilisation rate, 2019-2021, € M 

Total imports, € million 

GSP+ eligible, € million 

GSP+ used, € million 

Share GSP+ in total, % 

GSP+ utilisation rate, % 

2019 

2020 

2021  Trend % 

334.12 

200.58 

196.65 

60.03 

98,00 

279.79 

132.97 

127.91 

47.52 

96.20 

12.73 

21.24 

18.99 

376.67 

243.18 

234.00 

64.56 

96.20 

Figure 2: EU imports from Armenia by trade regime (€ million) and utilisation rates (%), 2019-2021 

3,9

196,7

5,1

127,9

9,2

234,0

133,5

146,8

133,5

400,0

350,0

300,0

250,0

200,0

150,0

100,0

50,0

0,0

2019

2020

2021

Other (MFN)

GSP+ preferential

GSP+ eligible not used

98,1

98,0

60,0

100

80

60

40

20

97,2

96,2

47,5

96,6

96,2

64,6

2019

2020

2021

Share GSP+ in total

Utilisation rate

Share duty-free in total

(5)  The figures are based on Eurostat data as of September 2023. GSP statistics only cover goods imported 
in the EU market, i.e., goods released for free circulation in the EU. The GSP statistics do not cover 
other EU imports, like goods imported for the customs inward processing procedure or re-imports after 
the customs outward processing procedure. Trade flows registered as “confidential” do not show up in 
the GSP+ usage figures and regime 1 normal trade; but do show up in total trade figures (regime 4). 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/ext_go_agg_esms.htm#conf1537195068659  

Page | 6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3: Top Armenian product groups 
benefitting from GSP+ tariff preferences, 2021, 
€ million 

Figure 4: GSP+ tariff reduction gains per product 
group, 2021, € million 

100,0

4
,
0
5
1

3
,
0
5
1

95,2 92,3

100,0

72,3

37,5

8
,
5

4
,
5

9
,
1

3
,
1

2
,
1

2
,
1

2
,
7

7
,
2

7
,
6
7

0
,
3
7

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

Others
0,2

S-04b Edible 
preparations
0,5

S-04c 
Tobacco
0,6

S-15a Iron 
& steel
4,1

S-15b Base 
metals (excl. 
iron)
5,5

Eligible

Used

Utilisation rate (%)

5.  COMPLIANCE WITH GSP+ OBLIGATIONS 

5.1.  UN Human Rights Conventions (Conventions 1-7) 

Armenia’s National Strategy for Human Rights Protection (6) and its Action Plan 2020-
2022 (7), adopted on 26 December 2019, were drafted by the Ministry of Justice in close 
consultations with civil society organisations (CSOs) and revised by international experts, 
with EU support. CSOs and the international community praised the quality and ambition 
of these key strategic reform documents, which address human rights in a comprehensive 
manner. As of 31 March 2023, according to the Armenian Government, 49% of the Human 
Rights Action Plan (HRAP) activities were implemented, 34% partially implemented, and 
2% were in the process of implementation (8).  

5.1.1.  International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 

(CERD) 

The last CERD periodic report on the implementation of the Convention in Armenia was 
published in 2017 (9). The state report for the next review was submitted in January 2022, 
with a 1.5-year delay, and the review is on-going. 

The  four  largest  ethnic  minorities  –  Yezidi,  Assyrians,  Russians,  and  Kurds  -  are 
represented in the Armenian National Assembly, in accordance with Armenia's Electoral 
Code. During the snap elections in 2021, ballots in different languages were provided in 
the poll stations where ethnic minorities were registered. However, challenges remain in 
the  way  of  further  increasing  tolerance  of  diversity  in  Armenian  society  and  tackling 
discrimination against ethnic minorities.  

(6)  https://www.moj.am/storage/uploads/01Appendix_1.pdf 
(7)  https://www.moj.am/storage/uploads/02Appendix_2.pdf   
(8)   The HRAP reporting was done through the EU-developed e-rights.am platform. 
(9)  United Nations (2017). Concluding observations on the combined seventh to eleventh periodic reports 

of Armenia, UN Doc, CERD/C/ARM/CO/7-11 

Page | 7 

 
 
 
 
Comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, the draft Law on Ensuring Equality before 
the Law, passed several rounds of discussions and international reviews in 2020 but has 
not  yet  been  adopted.  It  was  initially  introduced  in  a  package  with  the  draft  Law  on 
National Minorities, which was withdrawn following negative reactions from civil society. 
Based on their and Council of Europe (CoE) recommendations, it was decided to add a 
component on hate speech which can also include national minorities. Work on the draft 
legislation is still on-going.  

5.1.2.  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 

The latest periodic report on the Covenant by the Human Rights Committee was issued in 
2021, covering the period from 2012 to 2021 (10). Positive aspects noted by the Human 
Rights Committee included legislative and policy measures taken by Armenia to advance 
human rights under the Covenant, while noting a series of challenges in implementation.  

Regarding freedom of expression, the Committee was concerned about reports of threats, 
intimidation, harassment and attacks against journalists, human rights defenders, LGBTIQ 
rights defenders, and environmental activists; allegations of the use of criminal provisions 
to  hamper  the  activities  of  journalists  and  to  restrict  their  freedom  of  expression;  the 
increased  number  of  civil  defamation  lawsuits  brought  against  journalists  and  the 
imposition  of  disproportionate  financial  sanctions;  and  censorship  imposed  by  the 
Government on the media in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Major progress in conceptualising justice reform and the fight against corruption has been 
recorded.  Improvements  in  the  legislative  framework  have  been  significant  and  are 
reflected  in  sectoral  strategies  as  well  as  in  relevant  laws/sub-laws  aimed  at  the 
implementation  of  strategic  priorities.  Universal  mechanisms  for  evaluating  judges’ 
activities, integrity and assets were clarified and legal grounds regulating integrity checks 
introduced. The comprehensive Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms and Action Plan 
2019-2023 (11)  focus  on  the  independence  and  accountability  of  judiciary  and  the 
independence,  transparency,  efficiency,  and  quality  of  judicial  procedures.  The 
Government’s future vision of the comprehensive justice sector reform is reflected in the 
2022-2026 Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms adopted in July 2021 (12). 

The adoption of a new Criminal and a Criminal Procedure Code (13), in May and June 2021 
respectively  and  in  effect  from  July  2022,  is  a  significant  improvement  towards  a 
modernised  criminal  justice  system.  The  provisions  were  largely  drafted  in  accordance 
with  international  standards,  with  a  human-rights-based  approach  in  each  stage  of  a 
criminal case, as well as various recommendations of international institutions and experts. 

5.1.3.  International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 

The  latest  periodic  report  of  the  Committee  on  Economic,  Social  and  Cultural  Rights 
(CESCR) is from 2014 (14). The state report for the next periodic review was submitted in 
August 2020 and the review is still in progress. 

(10)  United Nations (2021). Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Armenia*, UN Doc. 

CCPR/C/ARM/CO/3. 

(11)  https://www.moj.am/en/legal/view/article/1104 
(12)  https://www.moj.am/storage/uploads/Strategy_Final_ENG.pdf 
(13)  https://www.coe.int/en/web/national-implementation/-/a-new-criminal-procedure-code-of-armenia-

adopted-in-line-with-council-of-europe-expertise  

(14)  United Nations (2014) Concluding observations on n the combined second and third periodic reports of 

Armenia, E/C.12/ARM/CO/2-3 

Page | 8 

 
 
However, as highlighted by the Human Rights Committee in their 2021 report, addressing 
discrimination against persons in vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities 
and national minorities, in particular children from ethnic and religious minorities, requires 
further  policy  changes,  including  the  adoption  of  the  draft  anti-discrimination  Law  on 
Ensuring Equality before the Law.  

The  new  Criminal  Code  (2021)  envisages  a  more  comprehensive  regulation  of 
discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes. Although sexual and gender identity are not 
directly stated as protected characteristics, the open list provides the opportunity for law 
enforcements agencies to use these regulations to protect LGBTIQ persons. 

Open  and  public  discrimination  on  grounds  of  sexual  orientation  and  gender  identity 
remains a major issue. Throughout 2021, there was ongoing hate speech against LGBTIQ 
persons, especially on virtual platforms. Despite increasing violence, LGBTIQ persons are 
reluctant  to  turn  to  law  enforcement  authorities  due  to  lack  of  trust,  lack  of  proper 
investigation  and  punishment.  The  Ombudsperson  of  Armenia  applied  to  the  Police 
requesting information on adopted measures and highlighted  the roles of the police and 
civil  society  in  preventing,  properly  recording,  and  identifying  such  cases.  The  Police 
signed  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  with  the  OSCE  Office  for  Democratic 
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on combating hate crimes in the framework of 
the Law Enforcement Training Program (TAHCLE).  

On 5 May 2021, the National Assembly adopted the Law on the Rights of Persons with 
Disabilities  following  the  social  model  for  disability (15).  It  is  also  a  step  towards 
implementing the state’s commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with 
Disabilities, which Armenia ratified in 2010.  

5.1.4.  Convention  on  the  Elimination  of  All  Forms  of  Discrimination  Against  Women 

(CEDAW) 

The  latest  periodic  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Elimination  of  All  Forms  of 
Discrimination against women (CEDAW) for Armenia is from November 2022 (16).  

Domestic violence continues to be a major issue. The new Criminal Code (2021) does not 
criminalise  domestic  violence,  but  rather  envisages  committing  a  criminal  offense  by  a 
close  relative  as  an  aggravating  circumstance.  However,  the  Criminal  Code  introduces 
criminal liability in line with several aspects of the CoE Convention on Preventing and 
Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) (17), 
which  Armenia  has  not  yet  ratified.  According  to  women’s  organisations,  currently 
Armenian  courts  do  not  find  aggravating  circumstances  for  an  abuser’s  liability  and 
punishment  in  cases  of  femicide.  Gender  stereotypes  and  victim-blaming  practices  are 
common in Armenian criminal and judicial systems while dealing with femicide cases. 

Women rights organisations played a significant role in responding to the increase in sexual and 
gender-based  violence  and  domestic  violence  cases  during  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  in 
supporting families, women, and children in vulnerable situations due to the war in Nagorno-

(15)  Defining disability as the result of interaction between environmental and societal barriers and a person's 

health condition which hinders their full realisation of rights. 

(16)  United  Nations  (2022)  Concluding  observations  on  the  seventh  periodic  report  of  Armenia, 

CEDAW/C/ARM/CO/7 

(17)  Including the following offences: Abortion or Artificial Termination of Pregnancy and Sterilisation and 
Forced  Abortion  or  Artificial  Termination  of  Pregnancy  and  Sterilisation  (Articles  175-176),  Mental 
Influence (Article 194), Physical Influence (Article 195) and Forced Marriage, Divorce or Pregnancy 
(Article 197). 

Page | 9 

 
 
Karabakh. With the support of the EU and other donors and the strong commitment of CSOs, 
the mobile application “Safe You” was designed and is already available in Armenia. The EU 
is also supporting the Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders in action against gender-
based  violence  in  Armenia.  The  ministries,  Ombudsperson,  and  local  administrations  also 
benefit  from  EU  support  through  the  EU4Gender  Equality  Reform  Helpdesk  Project 
providing for trainings, field visits, capacity building, and policy development expertise. 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is implementing a five-year Gender Strategy 
(2019-2024)  as  well  as  a  Strategy  and  Programme  of  Activities  for  Implementation  of 
Policy on Ensuring Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for 2019-
2023. A Council of Issues on Equality between men and women has been active.  

The EU4Gender Equality: Together Against Gender Stereotypes and Gender-Based Violence 
(2020-2023)  €7.5  million  programme  aims  to  strengthen  equal  rights  and  opportunities  for 
women and men by addressing stereotypes on the role of women in the family and society at 
large. 
Among  the  programme  activities  are  research  on  the  best  ways  to  bend  gender  stereotypes, 
launching  innovative  awareness-raising  and  advocacy  campaigns  to  combat  discriminatory 
practices against women and girls, providing technical assistance to institutions on how to use 
innovative means to ensure early prevention of violence. 

5.1.5.  Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or 

Punishment (CAT) 

The latest periodic report of the Committee against Torture (CAT) is from 2017 (18). The 
state report for the current periodic review was submitted in December 2020 and the review 
is still in progress. 

Torture  and  other  cruel,  inhuman,  or  degrading  treatment  or  punishment  are  explicitly 
prohibited by law. Specific legislative safeguards (e.g., through the adopted amendments 
to  the  Criminal  Procedure  Code,  new  2020  Law  ‘On  Pardon’)  are  in  place.  Concerns 
remain,  including  as  expressed  by  the  Human  Rights  Committee  in  their  2021  report, 
regarding the continuing practice of ill treatment and torture, particularly in police custody, 
as  well  as  with  regard  to  mechanisms  for  accountability  and  opportunities  for  civic 
oversight of closed facilities.  

The Human Rights Committee also remained concerned about reports that  fundamental 
legal safeguards were not always guaranteed to persons in detention from the very onset 
of  their  deprivation  of  liberty.  Progress  was  also  reported  in  this  area.  The  Parliament 
adopted amendments to the Law on the Police in 2020 and 2022. Armenia also procured 
affordable vehicles for transportation of arrested and detained persons including persons 
with special needs and disabilities, in compliance with international standards. According 
to  the  Armenian  Government,  equipment  for  special  cells  for  prisoners  with  suicidal 
ideation, as well mechanism for anonymous reporting of torture, inhuman or degrading 
treatment are in place. These activities were part of the Human Rights Action Plan 2020-
2022.  

(18)  United  Nations  (2017)  Concluding  observations  on  the  fourth  periodic  report  of  Armenia, 

CAT/C/ARM/CO/4 

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5.1.6.  Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 

The  latest  periodic  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Rights  of  the  Child  (CRC)  is  from 
2013 (19). The state report for the current review was due in 2019 but was submitted in 
2020.  The  review  is  still  in  progress.  The  2021  periodic  report  of  the  Human  Rights 
Committee  expressed  concern  about  the  continued  practice  of  sex-selective  abortion, 
trafficking, and child labour. 

The  Child  Rights  Unit  under  the  Human  Rights  Defender  Office/Ombudsperson  is 
appointed as the CRC monitoring mechanism. UNICEF has been assisting the Child Rights 
Unit  to  strengthen  monitoring.  At  the  same  time,  the  National  Commission  for  the 
Protection of Children's Rights continues to be inactive.  

In the framework of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the 
project ''Family Environment and Services in Communities for Children of Armenia” (Feb. 
2019- Jan. 2022) has assessed the needs of children in all transformed and closed institutions; 
individual development plans have been developed. 498 children have been reunited with their 
biological families․ Hundreds of social workers and child protection specialists participated in 
professional  trainings  on  alternative  care  mechanisms  and  service  standards.  Monitoring 
mechanisms  and  supporting  guidelines  on  referral  were  developed  and  submitted  to  the 
authorities. 

De-institutionalisation of the childcare system is a priority in the Government Programme 
for 2021-2026. In April 2020, the Government approved the 2020-2023 Comprehensive 
Program and Action Plan on Fulfilment of the Right to Live in a Family and Harmonious 
Development  of  the  Child.  The  program  features  an  alternative  care  service  network, 
including specialised services for children with disabilities (20). 

Significant  steps  were  taken  to  ensure  access  to  healthcare  for  children  in  vulnerable 
situations. The Government increased the budget for childbirth and childcare allowances 
and removed means testing. Also, free hospital medical care was expanded for children 
under  18  regardless  of  social  status,  including  special  and  difficult-to-access  diagnostic 
tests.  

Armenia  is  a  path-finding  member  of  the  Global  Partnership  to  End  Violence  Against 
Children  since  2018.  Armenia  also  ratified  the  Council  of  Europe's  Convention  on  the 
Protection  of  Children  against  Sexual  Exploitation  and  Sexual  Abuse  (the  Lanzarote 
Convention)  in  September  2020  (entered  into  force  1  January  2021),  committing  to 
criminalise all kinds of sexual offences against children, including online, to protect the 
rights of victims, and to prosecute perpetrators. Despite these commitments, the law on 
Domestic Violence does not envisage mechanisms to support child victims of violence. 
Serious issues also persist with the implementation of the inclusive education reform, as 
most children with disabilities are effectively left out of schools. 

(19)  United  Nations  (2013)  Concluding observations  on  the  combined  third  and  fourth  periodic  report of 

Armenia, CRC/C/ARM/CO/3-4 

(20)  https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/armenia 

Page | 11 

 
 
 
Conclusions and priorities 

Over  the  reporting  period,  Armenia  continued  with  its  human  rights  related  reforms, 
despite the challenges. Significant positive developments include the newly developed 
and humanised Criminal Code and the on-going judicial reform, as well as the new Law 
on  the  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities.  However,  several  challenges  remain 
regarding  the  uncontrolled  online  hate  speech  against  LGBTIQ  persons  and  human 
rights  defenders,  the  prevalence  of  domestic  violence,  as  well  as  the  lack  of  a 
comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. 

The  Government  has  shown  ambition  to  continue  improving  alignment  with 
international  standards  on  human  rights,  including  deinstitutionalisation  reform  for 
children’s care and the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as the development of 
a  comprehensive  anti-discrimination  law.  Implementation  of  laws  and  initiatives  in 
practice should continue to be a priority.  

5.2. 

ILO Labour Rights Conventions (Conventions 8-15) 

Armenia has been improving the current Labour Code since 2018. In October 2022, the 
country introduced a definition of compulsory or forced labour, and in May 2023 extensive 
amendments (21) were adopted among others to prohibit sexual harassment at work and 
strengthen the protection against child labour. Work is ongoing to revise the laws on Trade 
Unions and on Employers’ Unions in line with ILO standards on freedom of association. 

As regards enforcement, an important step has been the expansion of the mandate of the 
Health and Labour Inspection Body (HLIB) to exercise control over compliance with all 
labour  laws.  The  HLIB  has  also  been  empowered  to  conduct  inspections  on  its  own 
initiative.  Moreover,  in  2020,  the  staff  of  the  HLIB  has  been  increased  by  60  posts, 
although  vacancies  are  not  yet  fully  filled.  These  developments  are  expected  to  be 
examined by the CEACR later in 2023.  

The EU provides support to Armenia in the strengthening of labour and social rights through 
multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, empowering rights holders, and promotion of trade unions. 
The  project  EU4Labour  rights:  Increasing  civic  voice  and  action  for  labour  rights  and 
social protection in Armenia (2021-2024) aims to facilitate a multi-stakeholder policy, civic 
voice, and action platform, through consultations on the development and implementation of 
relevant public policies related to the prevention of discrimination and labour rights violations. 

5.2.1.  Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Conventions No. 87 and No. 

98) 

As regards the implementation of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and 
Protection of the Right to Organise, the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of 
Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR), last reiterated in its comments of 2020 (22), 
raised the need to amend the Law on Trade Unions to ensure that some categories of civil 
servants, self-employed, those working in liberal professions, and workers in the informal 
economy  can  form  and  join  trade  unions.  Furthermore,  concerns  remained  at  that  time 
around the excessively high minimum membership requirements for the formation of both 

(21)  The amendments, in the final version adopted by the National Assembly, have not yet been discussed in 
detail with Armenian authorities in the relevant dialogue fora. The package of amendments to the Labour 
Code will also be reviewed by ILO CEACR later in 2023. 
(22)  https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4050014  

Page | 12 

 
 
 
 
trade unions and employers' organisations as well as the quorum and majority required to 
vote on and to call a strike and the determination of minimum services in case of a strike. 
In this regard, the CEACR requested Armenian Government in 2020 to make amendments 
to the Labour Code, the Law on Trade Unions, and the Law on Employers’ Unions.  

Concerning ILO Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, 
shortcomings persist in the legislation that allows for unilateral termination of collective 
agreements  in  case  of  privatisation  and/or  restructuring  of  a  company  and  for 
circumventing  the  representative  minority  trade  unions  for  collective  bargaining  at 
enterprise level. The CEACR (23) asked the Government of Armenia to amend the relevant 
provisions of the Labour Code to bring them fully in line with ILO Convention No. 98. 

The Armenian Government is taking steps to address gaps in compliance.  In particular, 
work  is  on-going  on  draft  laws  amending  the  Law  on  Trade  Unions  and  the  Law  on 
Employers’ Unions with a view to aligning them with requirements of ILO Convention 
No. 87. Moreover, the package of amendments to the Labour Code adopted in May 2023, 
among others, lowered the quorum needed for declaring a strike. 

The  2019-2023  Decent  Work  Country  Programme  (DWCP),  signed  by  Armenian 
Government  and  the  ILO  in  May  2019,  includes  activities  relating  to  freedom  of 
association and collective bargaining. 

The EU funded project “Labour Action: Collaborative Effort for Accountable and Inclusive 
Employment”, implemented by the Union of Employers of Information and Communication 
Technologies (UEICT) introduced, under the supervision of the Health and Labour Inspection, 
a  new  e-labour  oversight  platform  enabling  data  innovation  for  better  observance  of  labour 
standards at all levels. It aims to tackle multiple layers from professional capacity building to 
institutional support to CSOs, to increased accountability and effectiveness of the government. 

5.2.2.  Abolition of Forced Labour (Conventions No. 29 and No. 105) 

Armenia has adopted both legislative provisions and policy measures on forced labour. In 
October 2022, a definition of compulsory or forced labour was introduced in the Labour 
Code,  aimed  at  aligning  with  ILO  Convention  No.  29.  In  June  2020,  the  Government 
adopted the 6th 2020-2022 National Action Plan (NAP) on the Fight Against Trafficking 
in Human Beings and Exploitation. Actions included in the NAP aim to make the fight 
against trafficking in persons more comprehensive; consolidate the efforts of all parties 
involved; strengthen the capacity and qualifications of specialists; strengthen prevention; 
identify victims; improve support; and clarify the mechanisms of protection.  

Several  measures have been undertaken to  implement the Action Plan. For instance, to 
raise awareness on the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation, several television 
and  radio  programmes  were  broadcasted.  During  the  reporting  period,  according  to  the 
Armenian authorities, trainings were provided to at least 53 investigators, 51 prosecutors, 
120 judges, 23 police officers, 22 social workers and school teachers. A new handbook for 
law enforcement includes information on how to identify, assess, and treat cases and work 
with  potential  victims.  Support  for  survivors  includes  a  programme  for  social-
psychological rehabilitation, for which funding has doubled compared to 2019. 

The CEACR in its comments of 2021 (24) welcomed the measures taken by Armenia to 
ensure  early  identification  of  victims  of  trafficking  in  human  beings  related  to  ILO 

(23)  https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4062777  
(24)  https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4120580  

Page | 13 

 
 
 
Convention No. 29 on Forced Labour and had no comments on Armenia’s implementation 
of ILO Convention No. 105 on Abolition of Forced Labour, which can be seen as a positive 
sign.  

It will be important to pursue efforts to fight against trafficking in human beings. In 2022, 
a report by  the Council  of Europe’s  Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking  in 
Human Beings (GRETA) found that Armenia continued to be primarily a country of origin 
for trafficked persons, while it is also a country of destination for Armenians trafficked 
internally,  as  well  as  for  foreign  nationals,  and  provided  recommendations  to  improve 
support to victims (25). 

5.2.3.  Minimum Age for Work and Worst Forms of Child Labour (Conventions No. 138 

and No. 182) 

Poverty significantly decreased in the last years but remains high and an underlying cause 
of child labour. Children working in agriculture, construction, and service provision are 
reported  to  be  vulnerable  to  labour  trafficking,  but  comprehensive  recent  data  on  child 
labour are lacking (26). A key issue underlined by CEACR in its 2021 report (27) is the need 
to ensure that all children, particularly those working in the informal economy or as own-
account workers, can enjoy the protection afforded by Convention No. 138 on Minimum 
Age for work. 

As part of efforts to prevent child labour, in February 2021, the Government adopted the 
Procedure for disclosure and direction of children left out of compulsory education, aimed 
at  identifying  such  children  aged  6  to  18  and  ensuring  their  reintegration  at  school. 
Moreover,  the  amendments  to  the  Labour  Code  adopted  in  May  2023  strengthen  the 
protection against child labour by providing that  children  under the age of 18  can only 
work  after  the  hours  of  compulsory  education  and  by  reducing  the  maximum  allowed 
working hours for children.  

As regards enforcement of child labour legislation, the Health and Labour Inspection Body 
has  powers  to  perform  supervisory  functions  and  apply  sanctions  for  the  violations  of 
labour rights, including the rights of working children. In addition, during the reporting 
period, according to Armenian, authorities, the Police carried out inspection visits in places 
of entertainment and parks with a view to preventing cases of child labour, including in its 
worst forms. 

5.2.4.  Equal Remuneration and Elimination of Discrimination (Conventions No. 100 and 

No. 111) 

The  CEACR  in  2020-2022  has  not  assessed  Armenia’s  implementation  of  ILO 
Conventions  No.  100  on  Equal  Remuneration  and  No.  111  on  Discrimination 
(Employment  and  Occupation).  Armenia’s  implementation  of  these  conventions  is 
expected to be examined by the CEACR later in 2023. 

(25)  https://rm.coe.int/greta-third-evalution-report-on-armenia/1680a6b4ba 
(26)  According  to  the  Armenia  National  Child  Labour  Survey  2015:  Analytical  Report,  39,300  children 
(8.7% of children aged 5–17) were involved in child labour, of which a large majority (90.1%) worked 
in agriculture. Moreover, among them, only 5% were employees with a verbal agreement, 25% worked 
on their own account, and 70% were unpaid family workers. Since there has not been any national survey 
after 
envisaged. 
https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_IPEC_PUB_28755/lang--en/index.htm  

should 

2015, 

new 

one 

be 

a 

(27)  https://www.ilo.org/normlex-permalink/comment/en/4116644  

Page | 14 

 
 
With reference to ILO Convention No. 100, the existing legislation (Labour Code and Law 
on Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men) still needs to be amended 
to  rightly  incorporate  the  principle  of  equal  remuneration  for  work  of  equal  value,  as 
requested by the CEACR in 2016. As for ILO Convention No. 111, a prohibition of sexual 
harassment at work has been introduced in the Labour Code in May 2023. This is a positive 
step,  while  it  remains  to  be  clarified  whether  all  outstanding  requests  of  the  ILO 
supervisory bodies on the implementation of this Convention have been fully addressed. 
As  regards  enforcement,  since  July  2021,  the  Government  empowered  the  Health  and 
Labour  Inspection  Body  to  monitor  compliance  with  the  prohibition  of  discrimination 
defined by the labour legislation.  

The Strategy and Programme of Activities for Implementation of Policy on Ensuring Equal 
Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men for 2019-2023 includes actions along 
five priorities: equal participation of women and men in the field of management and at 
the level of decision-making; addressing discrimination based on gender in the social and 
economic fields; enhancing the full and effective participation of and equal opportunities 
for  women  and  men  in  education  and  science;  enhancing  the  equal  opportunities  for 
women and men in healthcare; preventing gender-based discrimination.  

The gender gap in labour market participation and employment remains high. Nonetheless, 
Armenia improved its ranking in the 2022 Global Gender Gap index to 89th out of 146 
countries (compared to 98th in 2018) (28).  

(28)  https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2022/in-full/1-benchmarking-gender-gaps-

2022#1-1-country-coverage 

Page | 15 

 
 
Conclusions and priorities 

Armenia  has  made  progress  regarding  freedom  of  association  by  amending  its 
Constitution  in  2015  to  grant  all  workers  the  right  to  form  and  join  trade  unions. 
However  continuing  the  work  to  revise  the  legal  framework  in  line  with  CEACR 
comments on freedom of association and collective bargaining will be essential to better 
guarantee these fundamental rights. 

Since October 2022, the Labour Code includes a definition of prohibited compulsory or 
forced  labour.  Moreover,  Armenian  authorities  have  taken  several  important  steps  to 
ensure early identification of victims of human trafficking, as a measure to reduce the 
risk of workers experiencing forced labour. Efforts to prevent and address cases need to 
be sustained.  

More  needs  to  be  done  to  eliminate  child  labour  and  to  guarantee  that  all  working 
children, including those outside of a formal employment relationship can benefit from 
their rights as per the child labour legislation. A new child labour survey would allow 
for targeted responses. 

Amendments to the Labour Code in 2019 on the prohibition of discrimination were a 
significant step. This was reinforced by the prohibition of sexual harassment at work 
introduced  in  the  Labour  Code  in  May  2023.  However,  the  implementation  of  ILO 
Conventions No. 100 and No. 111 will continue to require attention. 

The  2019-2023  Decent  Work  Country  Programme  with  the  ILO  continues  to  offer 
opportunities to strengthen the implementation of ILO fundamental conventions. The 
expansion of the mandate of the Health and Labour Inspection Body was an important 
step  forward  for  the  enforcement  of  labour  rights  in  the  country.  Ensuring  adequate 
capacities and training will remain key for effective labour inspections in practice. 

Given that Armenia has graduated from GSP+, the EU will continue to follow up on the 
implementation of fundamental labour rights with Armenian authorities in the relevant 
fora under the CEPA. 

5.3.  UN  Conventions  on  Environmental  Protection  and  Climate  Change 

(Conventions 16-23)  

5.3.1.  Convention  on  International  Trade  in  Endangered  Species  of  Wild  Flora  and 

Fauna (CITES) 

Armenia has challenges in implementing CITES and its national legislation remains ranked 
as  Category  3,  meaning  it  does  not  meet  the  requirements  for  the  Convention's 
implementation. The CITES Secretariat reported that legislation is in place and in January 
2020 the Government and the Secretariat reached an agreement on the legislative analysis, 
including possible Category 1 status (29). 

The  Armenian  authorities  expect  further  feedback  from  the  Secretariat  on  proposed 
legislation and have taken some steps to address the four minimum requirements set by the 
CITES Secretariat. A Management and Scientific Authority, respectively the Ministry of 
Nature Protection and the Interagency Council, have been appointed. Trade in specimens 
in violation of CITES is prohibited by the Law on Fauna and amendments to the Code of 

(29)  https://cites.org/eng/parties/country-profiles/am/compliance-status  

Page | 16 

 
 
 
Administrative  Offences.  Penalties  for  such  trade  are  covered  in  the  legislation  on 
administrative and environmental offences, as well as the Customs Code. The current level 
of fines is low and is unlikely to have a dissuasive impact for potential offenders. The final 
requirement of CITES is on the seizure of illegally traded or possessed specimens, which 
the Criminal Code does not cover currently.  

5.3.2.  Waste  Conventions:  Basel  Convention  on  the  Control  of  Transboundary 
Movements  of  Hazardous  Wastes,  and  Stockholm  Convention  on  Persistent 
Organic Pollutants (POPs) 

Armenia has  legislation  to  address  hazardous  waste and is  compliant with  international 
reporting  requirements.  A  Government  programme  (2021-2026)  on  environmental 
management is in place, including activities on waste management.  

A  report (30)  on  waste  governance  published  in  March  2020  in  cooperation  with  the 
Government, mentions that the disposal of hazardous waste is subject to licensing and there 
are  five  disposal  facilities  for  incineration  of  medical  wastes.  The  same  report  also 
mentions that despite the legislative framework being relatively well developed, shortfalls 
are  observed  in  its  implementation.  Neither  the  waste  collection  operators,  nor  the 
dumpsite operators pass through the legal procedures and most hazardous waste other than 
medical  waste  still  ends  up  in  dumpsites.  Armenia  is  working  on  establishing  a  waste 
management system based on extended producer responsibility (EPR) (31). 

Armenia  last  submitted  an  update  to  its  National  Implementation  Plan  (NIP)  under  the 
Stockholm  Convention,  addressing  the  Fifth  Conference  of  the  Parties  (COP5) 
amendments,  on 23 April 2018. The updated NIPs  with  new POPs  listed in  Stockholm 
Convention COP6, COP7 and COP8 have not yet been submitted to the Secretariat. A draft 
Law on Chemicals has been in preparation since 2018 but has not been finalised yet.  

5.3.3.  Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 

Armenia complies with its reporting requirements under the CBD. In the reporting period, 
several draft laws were prepared, and progress on them should be monitored. The country’s 
challenges lie in the implementation of legislation.  

The main policy documents in the area of biodiversity are the revised National Strategy 
and  Action  Plan  (NSAP)  on  the  Conservation,  Protection,  Reproduction  and  Use  of 
Biological Diversity, and its associated Action Plan for 2016-2020, as well as the Strategy 
of the Republic of Armenia for Special Protected Nature Areas and the State Programme 
for  Protection  and  Usage,  adopted  in  2014.  The  EU  Twinning  project  “Strengthened 
protection and sustainable use of biodiversity in Armenia” (2020-2022) provided support 
to the NSAP revision and update in line with the CBD goals. The Ministry of Environment 
in 2020-2022 initiated review of several legal acts for amendments to the Laws on Special 
Protected Nature Areas (32). 

The draft Law on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), along with a package of other 
related laws, have been finalised and made public in 2018, but have not yet been adopted. 
Article 285 of the draft amendments to the Code on Administrative Offences prohibits and 

(30)  AUA  Acopian  Center  for  the  Environment.  Waste  Governance  in  Armenia.  American  University  of 
Armenia and Life Foundation, March 2020. Available at https://ace.aua.am/files/2020/08/WGA-Report-
Eng.pdf  

(31)  https://www.unep.org/technical-highlight/armenia-strengthen-chemicals-and-waste-management 
(32)  https://www.e-draft.am/projects/2750 

Page | 17 

 
 
provides for administrative liability for the violation of the biosafety rules in use of GMOs, 
in the form of fines.  

5.3.4.  Conventions on Climate Change and Protection of the Ozone Layer (33) 

Armenia ratified the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC in 2017, and in 2019  the Kigali 
amendment  to  the  Montreal  Protocol  on  Substances  that  Deplete  the  Ozone  Layer  and 
subscribed to the Global Methane Pledge. The Government has made significant progress 
in  the  last  two  years  in  monitoring  and  reporting  on  climate  change.  The  country  is 
compliant  with  reporting  obligations,  and  has  adopted  its  National  Adaptation  Plan  to 
Climate Change.  

On  5  May  2021,  Armenia  submitted  its  revised  NDC  2021-2030 (34)  to  the  Paris 
Agreement to the UNFCCC Secretariat. It sets the ambition of the Government to reduce 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% by 2030 compared with the base year 1990. A 
key  component  of  the  document  is  the  enhanced  transparency  and  accountability 
framework for tracking the implementation progress of the country’s commitments under 
the Paris Agreement. GHG mitigation actions mainly target the energy sector.  

The  EU4Climate  project  supported  the  development  of  the  energy  saving  and  renewable 
energy programme for 2022-2030, approved in January 2022, and drafting the Long-term Low 
Emission Development Strategy and a Financing Strategy for NDC implementation, submitted 
for Government’s approval.  

Armenia  is  on  track  in  controlling  ozone-depleting  substances  (ODS)  in  line  with  the 
Montreal  Protocol.  Hydroflurocarbon  (HFC) 
the 
implementation  of the licencing  system  and preparation of improved data collection on 
HFCs  and  HFC-based  equipment  gives  confidence  that  Armenia’s  preparations  are 
progressing in line with the long-term schedule towards meeting commitments under the 
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. 

levels  recently 

increased,  but 

The National Action Program of Adaptation to Climate Change and the List of Measures 
for  2021-2025 (35)  was  approved  13  May  2021.  The  Program  serves  as  a  roadmap  for 
ensuring the mainstreaming of adaptation and implementation of the National Action Plan 
(NAP)  in  the  sector  policy,  regional  and  local  development,  and  respective  financial 
planning processes. As follow-up actions planned under the NAP, sectoral adaptation plans 
were developed: the water sector plan was approved in 2022, the drafts for agriculture, 
energy, health, and tourism are in the process of negotiations. 

The status of the Inter-agency Coordinating Council for Implementation of Requirements 
and Provision of the UNFCCC, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, was revised in July 
2021. The Council coordinates reporting on climate change and ensures coherent policies 
for  achieving  Armenia’s  commitments  under  UNFCCC  and  coordination  of  Armenia’s 
NDC  under  the  Paris  Agreement;  as  well  as  the  implementation  of  Goal  13  (Climate 

(33)  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change,  Kyoto  Protocol  to  the  United  Nations 
Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change,  and  Montreal  Protocol  on  Substances  that  Deplete  the 
Ozone Layer. 

(34)  Decision  of  the  Government  of  the  Republic  of  Armenia,  22  April  2021,  N  610-  L;  see  ;  see 

https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-
06/NDC%20of%20Republic%20of%20Armenia%20%202021-2030.pdf 

(35)  Decree  of 

the  Government  of 

the  Republic  of  Armenia,  13  May  2021,  N  749-L;  See 

https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/NAP_Armenia.pdf  

Page | 18 

 
 
 
Action)  of  the  United  Nations  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development.  Technical 
cooperation is ensured through three working groups under the Council.  

The main constraints in the implementation of the UNFCCC, as raised by Armenia in their 
Third  Biennial  Update  Report  from  May  2021,  are  dependence  on  external  financing, 
availability of national funds to finance the continuous process linked to establishing and 
improving  of  a  system  for  Monitoring  Reporting  Verification  (MRV)  of  emissions, 
currently supported by EU4Climate, limited human resources and low capacity of public 
servants,  lack  of  formal  arrangements  ensuring  collection  of  the  required  data  for  the 
compiling of GHG inventory, lack of complete and reliable data on the recent changes in 
forest lands because of 25-year absence of nation-wide forest inventory, lack of common 
approach in assessing effect of mitigation measures in the energy sector.  

Conclusions and priorities 

With extensive international support, Armenia has made good progress in recent years 
especially in the areas of climate change (UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol/Paris Agreement,), 
in setting up the infrastructure for controlling ozone depleting substances in line with 
the Montreal Protocol and HFC (Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol), and in 
updating legislation to address biodiversity (Convention on Biological Diversity) and 
biosafety (Cartagena Protocol).  

Uncertainties to the exact extent of improvements exist as information about the status 
of  the  draft  legislation  on  biodiversity  and  biosafety  is  scarce  and  the  system  of 
monitoring,  reporting  and  verification  of  GHG  emissions  needs  improvements.  The 
same  holds  for  tackling  the  final  steps  in  disposing  of  the  larger  part  of  the  national 
stockpiled amount of POPs/OPs chemical waste. There remain significant challenges in 
the implementation  of CITES  and the legislative framework  and reporting should be 
brought into compliance. 

5.4.  UN Conventions on Good Governance (Conventions 24-27)  

5.4.1.  International Drug Control Conventions (36) 

Armenia does not have a dedicated institution for the implementation of its drug policy. 
Rather,  responsibilities  are  spread  over  several  ministries,  law  enforcement  bodies  (the 
Police,  National  Security  Service,  and  State  Revenue  Committee),  the  Prosecutor 
General’s Office, and agencies. To ensure better coordination among these various entities 
and address recommendations by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the 
Government  established  an  inter-agency  commission  chaired  by  the  Chief  of  Police  of 
Armenia. Other recommendations have also been implemented, such as the launch of drug 
prevention activities, and increased treatment capacities.  

Some other INCB recommendations are still to be implemented, notably those to ensure 
that controlled substances are available for licit purposes, collect better data related to drug 
use,  continue  increasing  drug  prevention  and  treatment  capacity,  and  consider  further 
measures  to  address  the  stigma  associated  with  drug  use  and  dependence.  Overall,  the 
INCB “acknowledges the effective cooperation of the Government of Armenia in fulfilling 
the country’s obligations under the international drug control treaties and notes that it will 

(36)  UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) 

UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988). 

Page | 19 

 
 
 
continue  to  work  closely  with  the  authorities  to  facilitate  the  implementation  of  its 
recommendations”. 

5.4.2.  UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 

The fight against corruption has been a priority for the Armenian Government since 2018 
with important legislative and policy developments taking place also during the reporting 
period.  

The second round of the UNCAC implementation review in 2021 commended Armenia’s 
system of asset declarations for public officials and the requirement to publish draft laws 
for  civil  society  consultation.  However,  the  review  also  noted  several  areas  for 
improvement,  including  better  monitoring  of  the  Anti-Corruption  Strategy  and  taking 
further measures to address conflicts of interest of public officials (e.g., through training, 
codes of standard for public officials, restrictions for former public officials), prevention 
of corruption in the private sector, and measures to enhance asset recovery (e.g., through 
enhanced  scrutiny  of  accounts  of  politically  exposed  persons,  measures  allowing  non-
conviction-based confiscations, and enhanced international cooperation). 

A new investigative entity, the Anti-Corruption Committee was established in March 2021. 
Moreover, a specialised Anti-Corruption Court was established at the end of 2022, while 
the Anticorruption Court of Appeal is expected to be established before the end of 2023. 
Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan for 2019-2022 
are  in  place,  while  a  new  anti-corruption  strategy  post  2023  is  in  development. 
Additionally, a Corruption Prevention Commission (CPC) created in 2019 is responsible 
for transparency and accountability of high-ranking officials as well as integrity checks in 
the judicial sector. The CPC launched a major public opinion survey in May 2022 with 
support from the World Bank to assist in the comprehensive assessment of causes, patterns, 
and consequences of corruption in Armenia’s public sector. 

In  addition  to  the  institutional  changes,  numerous  laws  have  been  amended,  aimed  at 
strengthening the anti-corruption regime and aligning it further with UNCAC and other 
international  standards.  Key  changes  in  2020  are  the new versions of the  2018 Law on 
Civil  Service  and  the  Law  on  Public  Service,  which  improved  the  conflict-of-interest 
framework  for  public  officials.  The  new  Criminal  Code  (2021)  introduces  corporate 
liability for corruption, thereby aligning the domestic legislation more with international 
standards. The Public Procurement Law is overall compliant with international standards, 
with recent changes strengthening e-procurement, which now covers all contract stages. 
The Law on the System of Whistleblowing of 2018, according to OECD, however, fails to 
provide comprehensive whistle-blower protection.  

The  country’s  score  in  Transparency  International’s  Corruption  Perception  Index  (CPI)  
echoes  the  development:  it  remained  at  about  35  points  (out  of  100,  indicating  no 
corruption at all) until 2018, and then increased to 46 in 2022. Accordingly, Armenia’s 
rank in the CPI improved from 105th in 2018 to 63rd in 2022 (out of 180 countries) (37), 
making it the world’s best performer in any year between 2012 and 2018, and 2021. 

The EU is the main partner supporting good governance and the rule of law in Armenia, through 
an ongoing budget support programme (2021-2024) with a total of €30 million. The objective 
of the programme is to enable the justice sector to effectively ensure rule of law and combat 
corruption. 

(37)  https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022  

Page | 20 

 
 
Projects in Armenia as part of the Partnership for Good Governance Phase II (PGG II) under 
the Eastern Partnership, a joint EU and the Council of Europe initiative, focus on strengthening 
the efficiency of justice and promoting anti-corruption reforms. Activities of PGG II in Armenia 
(2019-2023, €850,000) include support in strengthening legislative and institutional frameworks 
for anti-corruption and asset recovery, and developing capacity and tools to prevent and suppress 
economic crimes as well as implementing judicial reforms. A new phase for PGG is set to begin 
in 2023. 

In  June  2022,  the  twinning  project  “Fostering  integrity  and  preventing  corruption  in  the 
public sector in Armenia” started. The two-year, €1 million project will assist the Corruption 
Prevention  Commission  in  the  implementation  of  anti-corruption  education  and  public 
awareness programmes, as well as relevant institutional capacities. It will also contribute to the 
implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy and improving business integrity. 

Conclusions and priorities 

The drug control regime in Armenia does not raise major concerns, and the scale of drug 
use  as  well  as  drug  trafficking  is  comparatively  limited  –  although  trafficking  from 
Afghanistan to Europe via the “Caucasus route” has been increasing. The authorities are 
active  in  the  fight  against  drugs,  and  the  country  has  pursued  a  relatively  balanced 
strategy paying attention to both supply and demand reduction. In 2022 the INCB has 
confirmed that Armenia meets its obligations under the three drug control conventions, 
although there is still some room for improvement. Dialogue and cooperation with the 
EU on drug issues has been strengthened under the CEPA and recent agreements, e.g., 
between Europol and Armenia.  

The fight against corruption has been highlighted by the new Government as one of its 
main policy priorities and Armenia has made progress since 2018. Armenia’s ranking 
in international corruption indices improved. The institutional framework has also been 
changed, with new and dedicated corruption prevention, investigation and adjudication 
bodies being set up. 

Page | 21 

 
 
 
 
ANNEX: ARMENIA – TREATY RATIFICATION AND REPORTING  

Convention 

Human rights conventions 
1. Convention on the Prevention and 
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 

2. International Convention on the 
Elimination of All Forms of Racial 
Discrimination 
3. International Covenant on Civil and 
Political Rights 

4. International Covenant on Economic 
Social and Cultural Rights 

5. Convention on the Elimination of All 
Forms of Discrimination Against 
Women 
6. Convention Against Torture and 
other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment 
7. Convention on the Rights of the 
Child 

Labour conventions (38) 
8. Convention concerning Forced or 
Compulsory Labour, No. 29 

Ratification 
status 
Reservations 

Acceded: 
23.06.1993 
No reservations 
Acceded: 
23.06.1993 
No reservations 
Acceded: 
23.06.1993 
No reservations 
Acceded: 
13.09.1993 
No reservations 
Acceded: 
13.09.1993 
No reservations 
Acceded: 
13.09.1993 
No reservations 
Acceded: 
23.06.1993 
No reservations 

Ratified: 
17.12.2004 

9. Convention concerning Freedom of 
Association and Protection of the Right 
to Organise, No. 87 

Ratified: 
02.01.2006 

10. Convention concerning the 
Application of the Principles of the 
Right to Organise and to Bargain 
Collectively, No. 98 
11. Convention concerning Equal 
Remuneration of Men and Women 
Workers for Work of Equal Value, No. 
100 
12. Convention concerning the 
Abolition of Forced Labour, No. 105 

Ratified: 
12.11.2003 

Ratified: 
29.07.1994 

Ratified: 
17.12.2004 

13. Convention concerning 
Discrimination in Respect of 
Employment and Occupation, No. 111 

Ratified: 
29.07.1994 

14. Convention concerning Minimum 
Age for Admission to Employment, No. 
138 

Ratified: 
27.01.2006 

Compliance with reporting 
obligations to monitoring bodies 

No reporting obligations 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last report submitted on 12.01.2022. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last report submitted on 08.07.2019. 
•  Next report due in 2027. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last report submitted on 06.08.2020. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last report submitted on 16.12.2020. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last report submitted on 25.12.2020. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last report submitted on 28.10.2020. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2021. 
•  Latest report received in 2021. 
•  Next regular report due in 2024. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2020. 
•  Latest report received in 2020. 
•  Next regular report due in 2023. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2020. 
•  Latest report received in 2020. 
•  Next regular report due in 2023. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2016. 
•  Latest report received in 2022. 
•  Next regular report due in 2025. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: no 
comments issued in 2021. 
•  Latest report received in 2021. 
•  Next regular report due in 2024. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2016. 
•  Latest report received in 2022. 
•  Next regular report due in 2025. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2021. 
•  Latest report received in 2021. 

(38)  Reservations  do  not  apply  in  the  ILO  system,  so  there  is  no  relevance  to  providing  information  on 

reservations under each of these conventions. 

Page | 22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convention 

15. Convention concerning the 
Prohibition and Immediate Action for 
the Elimination of the Worst Forms of 
Child Labour, No. 182 
Environmental conventions 
16. Convention on International Trade 
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora 

Ratification 
status 
Reservations 

Ratified: 
02.01.2006 

Acceded: 
23.01.2009 
No reservations 

17. Montreal Protocol on Substances 
that Deplete the Ozone Layer 

Acceded: 
01.10.1999 
No reservations 

18. Basel Convention on the Control of 
Transboundary Movements of 
Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal 

Acceded: 
01.10.1999 
No reservations 

19. Convention on Biological Diversity  Accepted: 
29.12.1993 
No reservations 

Compliance with reporting 
obligations to monitoring bodies 

•  Next regular report due in 2024. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest CEACR comments: 2021. 
•  Latest report received in 2021. 
•  Next regular report due in 2024. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Last (2021) Annual Report submitted 

on 12.10.22.  

•  2018 report submitted but 2019, and 
2020 Annual Reports not submitted. 

•  Next (2022) Annual Report due 

31.10.2023. 

•  No Annual Illegal Trade Reports 

submitted to date. Next report (2021) 
due 31.10.2023. (39) 

•  Biennial or Implementation Reports 
lagging behind. Only one (2009-10) 
submitted on 16.12.2011. IR on 
2018-2020 was due 05.03.2021. (40) 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Annual data for 2022 and prior years 

has been submitted. 

•  ODC and HFC licensing systems in 

place. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest (2021) National Report (NR) 

submitted on 30.12.2022. 

•  NRs for 2014-2020 all submitted on 
time. Earlier reports submitted but 
with delay.  

•  Next NR (2022) due 31.12.2023. 
Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Latest National Report (6NR) 

submitted with delay in May 2019 
(due date was 31.12.2018). 
•  Previous NRs all submitted. 
•  Latest National Biodiversity Strategy 

and Action Plan submitted on 
11.02.2016. 

20. The United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change  

Accepted: 
14.05.1993 
No reservations 

Compliant with reporting obligations  
•  First NDC submitted 23.03.2017 
•  Updated NDC submitted 05.05.2021 

(dated 22.04.2021). 

•  Latest NC (NC4) submitted 

17.05.2020 (1 year late); NC1-NC3 
all submitted with delay. 

•  Latest Biennial Update Report 
(BUR3) submitted 17.05.2021. 
Earlier BURs submitted 2016 and 
2018.  

•  NIRs submitted on same dates as 

BURs. 

•  National Adaptation Plan adopted in 

May 2021. 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

21. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 

Acceded: 
30.04.2004 

(39)  Reporting mandatory, but not subject to compliance procedure. 
(40)  Idem. 

Page | 23 

 
 
 
 
Convention 

22. Stockholm Convention on Persistent 
Organic Pollutants 

Ratification 
status 
Reservations 
No reservations 

Ratified: 
26.11.2003 
No reservations 

23. Kyoto Protocol to the United 
Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change 
Good governance conventions 
24. United Nations Single Convention 
on Narcotic Drugs 

25. United Nations Convention on 
Psychotropic Substances 

26. United Nations Convention against 
Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and 
Psychotropic Substances 

27. United Nations Convention against 
Corruption 

Acceded: 
25.04.2003 
No reservations 

Acceded: 
13.09.1993 
No reservations. 
Acceded: 
13.09.1993 
No reservations. 
Acceded: 
13.09.1993 
No reservations. 

Ratified: 
08.03.2007 
No reservations. 

Compliance with reporting 
obligations to monitoring bodies 

Fourth national report due 01.10.2019 
submitted on 17.02.2022 
Partially  compliant  with  reporting 
obligations 
•  Fifth national report (NR) submitted 

on 15.09.2022. 

•  4NR submitted on 10.08.2018. 
•  Previous NRs all submitted. 
•  First National Implementation Plan 

(NIP) submitted in time on 
29.04.2006, and updates to address 
COP4 and COP5 amendments 
submitted 23.04.2018. 

•  Other updates addressing COPs 6-9 

not submitted. 

No reporting obligations 

Compliant with reporting obligations 
•  Virtually all reports and statistics 

(incl. voluntary ones) provided since 
2019. 

Review by INCB 
•  INCB mission took place in March 

2019.  

•  INCB reports that Armenia 

effectively cooperates in fulfilling the 
country’s obligations under the 
international drug control treaties. 
No  reporting  obligations.  Reviewing 
by UNODC & peer review 
•  Latest executive summary of review 
report (2nd cycle) published in 2021. 

•  Executive summary of first review 
cycle report & full report published 
in 2015. 

Page | 24