Domestic Violence in Moldova - The Advocates for Human Rights

the few remedies for domestic violence utilized by Armenian women, divorce does notalways solve the problem of domestic violence.IV. ARMENIA’S INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATIONSInterviews with both government officials and human rights NGOs in Armeniaindicated that an active discussion of human rights norms is currently underway, alongwith some effort to observe international standards. Nevertheless, Armenia is not yet infull compliance with international human rights law relating to domestic violence.Armenia is a member of the United Nations and will likely be admitted to the Council ofEurope by the end of 2000.A. The United NationsAs a member of the United Nations, Armenia is obligated to protect human rightsas set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Armenia has ratified theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 234 and the Convention on theElimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (“Women’s Convention”) 235and has, therefore, committed itself to comply with the terms of these treaties. Armeniais also bound by the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination ofViolence Against Women.The international norms described in these instruments condemn violence againstwomen and domestic violence. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 236 outlinesan individual’s fundamental right to be free from violence and abuse. Article 3 providesthat “everyone has the rights to life, liberty, and security of person.” Article 5 providesthat “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment orpunishment.” 237 The United Nations has recognized an affirmative obligation of memberstates to protect women from violence perpetrated by private persons and articulatesspecific responsibilities of governments to eradicate this violence. Domestic violence is awidespread problem in Armenia. The Armenian government’s failure to respondappropriately to domestic violence violates internationally recognized human rightsstandards. 238234 See supra Section IA.235 Id.236 Id.237 G.A. Res. 217 A(III), U.N. Doc. A/810 (1948). These provisions are generally regarded to have theforce of customary international law.238 For a detailed discussion of the concept of state responsibility to victims of domestic violence, seeKenneth Roth, Domestic Violence as an International Human Rights Issue, HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN,326, 329-330 (Rebecca Cook, ed. 1994); Katherine Culliton, Finding a Mechanism to Enforce Women’sRight to State Protection from Domestic Violence in the Americas, 34 HARV. INT’L L.J. 507 (1993), andMinnesota Advocates for Human Rights, Domestic Violence in Armenia, December 2000 42