Latest news with #ArsenTorosyan
JAMnews
5 days ago
- Health
- JAMnews
Criminalisation of violence against healthcare workers in Armenia
Criminalisation of violence against healthcare workers in Armenia Deputies from the ruling faction of Armenia's parliament have proposed criminalising cases of violence against healthcare workers and 'obstruction of their professional duties.' The parliament is currently discussing a draft law under which obstructing the work of medical staff could carry a penalty of up to one month in prison. If the obstruction is accompanied by a threat of violence, the prison term could be extended to up to two years. The authors of the bill emphasise that the current criminal code contains general provisions, but 'lacks a specific focus on the need to protect healthcare workers as a socially important group.' 'As a society, we must change. We need to understand that it is unacceptable to threaten or use violence against medical professionals fulfilling their duties. Just as it is with police officers or emergency responders,' said National Assembly deputy and chair of the health committee, Arsen Torosyan. The draft law was developed jointly with deputies Aren Mkrtchyan and Hasmik Hakobyan. The authors stress that any interference with a medical worker's duties can negatively impact their ability to carry out their professional responsibilities. Such actions may prevent a doctor from providing timely care and could even create 'dangerous situations threatening a patient's life.' The MPs hope that these legislative changes will help prevent attacks on healthcare workers and improve their safety. 27 cases of violence in two years 'Between 2023 and 2025, 27 incidents of violence against healthcare workers were recorded, four of which occurred in the first two months of 2025,' states the explanatory note attached to the bill. Two of this year's reported incidents took place in Yerevan, one in Shirak province, and another in Vayots Dzor province. Three involved emergency medical staff, while the fourth concerned violence by a patient's relatives against a hospital doctor. In both 2023 and 2024, other cases were also documented, involving aggressive behaviour toward medical personnel, verbal abuse, physical assaults, and injuries. The explanatory note highlights that such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent, indicating 'a significant rise in cases of violence.' Details — what the bill's authors propose MPs from the Civil Contract faction are proposing amendments to Armenia's Criminal Code. Specifically, they suggest adding Article 187.1 to the chapter on crimes that endanger life and health, introducing the following penalties: 'Obstructing the professional activities of a healthcare worker shall be punishable by a fine of up to ten times the minimum wage, or community service for up to 100 hours, or restriction of freedom for up to one year, or imprisonment for up to one month. The same act, if committed with the threat of violence against the healthcare worker, shall be punishable by a fine of up to twenty times the minimum wage, or community service from 100 to 200 hours, or restriction of freedom for up to two years, or imprisonment for up to two months.' MPs reviewed international experience The lawmakers consulted international conventions and examined how other countries criminalise violence against healthcare professionals. They cite, for example, U.S. legislation: 'On 1 January 2025, California Assembly Bill 977 came into force. It provides for imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to $2,000—or both.' Under the laws of New South Wales in Australia, offences against medical workers may be punished by prison terms ranging from 12 months to 14 years, depending on 'the severity or complexity of the impact.' A 2023 report by the National Association of Nurses of Armenia notes: 'The ineffectiveness of violence prevention strategies exacerbates the staffing crisis. Six out of ten nurses change jobs, resign, or consider doing so.' Comments from social media 'Legislative changes are important to protect medical workers from unlawful pressure. However, the concept of 'lawful professional activity' needs clarification so that it doesn't become an obstacle to citizens' right to file legitimate complaints in cases of possible medical error or negligence.' 'A commendable initiative. The main thing is for the law to be enforced. A profession is not a shield—but medical workers are doing their job in that moment. Don't assault people when you should be thanking them.' 'I urge the drafting of another bill—on violence against teachers.' 'And is there no provision for inappropriate behaviour by medical staff? For example, when they show up and instead of performing their duties, make demands and leave, abandoning the patient without help.' 'An excellent and long-awaited decision. Will doctors be allowed something for self-defence—especially ambulance personnel?' 'Since Armenia's independence, medical workers have been demonised to cover up systemic failures. This law won't bring big changes. We need to actively work on changing public perception of healthcare professionals.' Follow us – Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Criminalisation of violence against healthcare workers in Armenia
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Jailed Russian-Armenian businessman sues Yerevan lawmakers
Jailed Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan has filed lawsuits against two Armenian lawmakers, accusing them of besmirching his image and falsely claiming that he is linked with Russia's security services. Karapetyan, a vocal supporter of the Armenian opposition, was arrested last month in Yerevan on charges of calling for a coup, which the tycoon denies. According to filings submitted to the Yerevan Civil Court earlier this week, Karapetyan's legal team is demanding that MPs Arsen Torosyan and Hayk Konjoryan publicly retract statements made in parliament last month. The lawsuits also seek compensation of 9 million drams ($23,400) from each in damages for insult and defamation, plus court costs. In the first case, Karapetyan insists that Torosyan must publicly deny what he calls false claims that he was 'instructed by the FSB [Russia's Federal Security Service] to make statements aimed at using violence against the legitimate government of Armenia and harming its leadership.' In the second case, Karapetyan targets statements by Konjoryan, in which the MP labeled him part of an 'oligarchic wing' tied to the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). Karapetyan also demanded that Konjoryan apologize for statements in which he suggested that the businessman used his political clout to 'rob the Armenian people' by purchasing state assets at below market rates. Karapetyan was arrested in Yerevan last month after he expressed support for the AAC, which has been the main driver behind the protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government. Karapetyan faces charges of calling for the overthrow of the government and has been placed in pretrial detention. The protests were sparked by Pashinyan's decision to hand over several border villages to Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has border disputes. Pashinyan portrayed the move as a path to normalize ties with its neighbor, though many Armenians view it as a betrayal of national interests. As the stand-off between the government and the church escalated, law enforcement arrested several prominent clerics on coup charges. Russia has stressed that the protests in Armenia are an internal affair in which it has no intention of becoming involved. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, however, that Moscow is interested in Armenia being 'a prosperous and stable country that is friendly to Russia.'
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Jailed Russian-Armenian businessman sues Yerevan lawmakers over slander
Jailed Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan has filed lawsuits against two Armenian lawmakers, accusing them of besmirching his image and falsely claiming that he is linked with Russia's security services. Karapetyan, a vocal supporter of the Armenian opposition, was arrested last month in Yerevan on charges of calling for a coup, which the tycoon denies. According to filings submitted to the Yerevan Civil Court earlier this week, Karapetyan's legal team is demanding that MPs Arsen Torosyan and Hayk Konjoryan publicly retract statements made in parliament last month. The lawsuits also seek compensation of 9 million drams ($23,400) from each in damages for insult and defamation, plus court costs. In the first case, Karapetyan insists that Torosyan must publicly deny what he calls false claims that he was 'instructed by the FSB [Russia's Federal Security Service] to make statements aimed at using violence against the legitimate government of Armenia and harming its leadership.' In the second case, Karapetyan targets statements by Konjoryan, in which the MP labeled him part of an 'oligarchic wing' tied to the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). Karapetyan also demanded that Konjoryan apologize for statements in which he suggested that the businessman used his political clout to 'rob the Armenian people' by purchasing state assets at below market rates. Karapetyan was arrested in Yerevan last month after he expressed support for the AAC, which has been the main driver behind the protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government. Karapetyan faces charges of calling for the overthrow of the government and has been placed in pretrial detention. The protests were sparked by Pashinyan's decision to hand over several border villages to Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has border disputes. Pashinyan portrayed the move as a path to normalize ties with its neighbor, though many Armenians view it as a betrayal of national interests. As the stand-off between the government and the church escalated, law enforcement arrested several prominent clerics on coup charges. Russia has stressed that the protests in Armenia are an internal affair in which it has no intention of becoming involved. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, however, that Moscow is interested in Armenia being 'a prosperous and stable country that is friendly to Russia.'
