The Armenian Parliament ratified the International...

The Armenian Parliament ratified the International Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms and the 1st, 4th and the 7th protocols following it.The 3rd and the 5th Articles of the Convention were ratified with reserve. Armenian Minister of Justice David Haroutunyan said, in accordance with these articles, every detainee has a right of an immediate meeting with his lawyer, which contradicts the Army Regulations of Armenia. The 6th Protocol of the Convention demanding the abolition of capital punishment in the countries which joined the document needs special consideration as well. The minister said this issue supposes replacement of capital punishment with a life sentence, which is not stipulated by the Criminal Code.