Draft law to establish liability in cases of obstructing legal professional activities of a medical professional or committing same act with threat of violence

The draft law on Making Addendum the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia authored by MP Hasmik Hakobyan was debated in the first reading at the sitting on September 3 of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs. The aim is to prevent harassment against medical professionals, ensure security, and fill in the gaps in the current legislation and bring it into line with international standards.

In case of obstructing the legal professional activities of a medical professional by threatening to use violence, a fine of up to twenty times the minimum wage is proposed, or public works lasting from one hundred to two hundred hours, or restriction of liberty for a maximum period of two years, or short-term imprisonment for a maximum period of two months, or imprisonment for a maximum period of two years.

Hasmik Hakobyan reported that, based on statistical data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 27 cases of violence against medical professionals were recorded in 2023-2025.

The key rapporteur proposed to vote for the draft law, answering the MPs' questions as well.

The Co-rapporteur, Committee Chair Vladimir Vardanyan highlighted the need for the adoption of the draft, emphasizing the relevance of the issue.

Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Gevorg Kocharyan presented the endorsement of the Government on the draft.

In their speeches, the deputies highlighted the additions, suggesting that the vulnerable provisions in the draft be debated and clarified during the period from the first to the second reading.

In her final speech, Hasmik Hakobyan underscored that doctors need additional guarantees. She expressed her willingness to discuss the observations and proposals presented during the period from the first to the second reading.

The draft has been endorsed.

The debate of the draft law on Making Amendments and Addenda to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia authored by the Government has been postponed.