Committee on the Rights of the Child

Sixty - third session

27 May–14 June 2013

Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the combined third and fourth periodic reports of Armenia (CRC/C/ARM/3-4)

Addendum

Written replies of Armenia *

Contents

Paragraphs Page

I.Replies to the issues raised in part I of the list of issues1–1353

II.Replies to the issues raised in part II of the list of issues136–14225

III.Replies to the issues raised in part III of the list of issues143–15526

Annex

Additional information on legislative amendments and supplements with regard to rights of children (2009-2012)35

List of tables

1.On the number of separate measures (in the spheres of social defence, healthcare and education) and amount of financing envisaged by the 2011-2012 annual programme for the protection of the child11

2.Expenditures for the fight against trafficking in accordance with separate programmes and the Public administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia implementing them15

3.Number of beneficiaries of social benefits for families in 2010-2012 and the financial resources allocated through the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia22

4.Marriages registered in the Republic of Armenia, according to gender and age26

5.Level of extreme poverty of children based on household type, 2010-201126

6.Distribution of registered births according to gender, 2008-201128

7.Registration of births of children under 528

8.Number of children at orphanages according to age groups at the end of the year, 2009-201130

9.Number of adopted children taken under centralised registration, according to the citizenship of the adopters and their family status, 2009-201130

10.Number of adopted children taken under centralised registration according to age groups, 2009-201131

11.Death rate of children according to gender, 2008-201132

12.Death rate of children according to gender, 2008-201132

13.Number of children who have become disabled due to illnesses, 2009-201132

14.Morbidity of children aged 0-14 with a confirmed diagnosis for the first time, 2009-201133

15.Morbidity of children aged 0-14 with mental disorders (without alcoholic psychosis, alcoholism, drug addiction and toxicomania), 2009-201133

16.Number of students in special general education schools according to direction, 2009-201134

I.Replies to the issues raised in part I of the list of issues

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 1, of the list of issues (CRC/C/ARM/Q/3-4)

1.The directions, measures of the state policy implemented for the protection of children, as well as its implementers and the period of implementation thereof are thoroughly shown in the “2004-2015 National Plan of Action for the Protection of the Rights of the Child”.

2.Now there are numerous issues in the sphere of protection of children in Armenia, which evidence the necessity of taking certain measures aimed at protecting children. That was the main idea of the “2004-2015 National Plan of Action for the Protection of the Rights of the Child in the Republic of Armenia” approved by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No. 1745-N of 18 December 2003.

3.The current Plan of Action is aimed at ensuring the guarantees of conditions necessary for the life and regular development of children and includes the key objectives, goals and measures relevant to recent years; in particular, here are the details of the implementation of the Plan of Action.

Points of the Plan of Action

Point 19 – Program for “State support to alumni of Armenian child care institutions”

4.Program for “State support to alumni of Armenian child care institutions” approved by the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No. 1419 of 30 October 2003 has been implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia since 2004.

5.The following measures are constantly taken within the framework of the program:

(a)Social patronage of beneficiaries;

(b)Vocational guidance, education, training;

(c)Support in job placement;

(d)Provision of property, living space;

(e)Provision of medical aid, legal consultancy, etc.

6.Living space is allocated to alumni from social housing funds built in different marzes and cities of the Republic and given for exploitation. Within the past period a total of 169 one-room apartments were allocated to orphanage alumni, as well as children left without parental care in need of apartments on condition of non-gratuitous use for a period of ten years, on the basis of concluded trilateral agreement.

7.During 2012, about 27 social apartments were allocated to the beneficiaries in Maralik city of the Marz of Shirak of the Republic of Armenia.

Point 20 - Organisation of care for alumni of Nor-Kharberd specialised orphanage

8.In 2012, 100 persons staying at Kharberd specialised orphanage with central nervous system disorder, as well as those with congenital and acquired physical and mental defects were transferred to the new section built at the expense of the state budget.

9.The building is equipped with modern rehabilitation equipment and is designed in conformity with the special needs of children, which ensures the efficiency of the students’ integrated rehabilitation process. Every year there is an increase in the amounts allocated for the food and care of persons under care in the orphanage.

Point 21 - Programme “When September Comes”

10.The Programme “When September Comes” is implemented in the Republic of Armenia for the purpose of assisting children from deprived families.

11.It is implemented by charitable organisations for vulnerable families of veterans registered in the family benefit scheme having from three to five or more children of school age left without general education. They are provided with school kit, clothes and food.

12.Only children of school age of vulnerable families in marzes and cities have received the assistance allocated by the charitable organisations.

Point 22 – Organisation of care for children in child care institutions for 2004-2015

13.The provision of care is of continuous nature. It is provided in 6 orphanages functioning within the system of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, including in 3 specialised, 8 boarding institutions for child care and protection and 3 charitable orphanages, including one of a family type.

14.The procedure of children’s admission into the institutions is approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the standards thereof, legal acts for the protection of children’s rights in the institutions and improvement of the quality of their life are established, a number of measures were taken aimed at improving the building conditions and area of the institutions, the quality of life, as well as for increasing the allocations from the State budget for the security, food and care of those under care in the institution.

15.During the last three years due to the implementation of de-institutionalisation programs the number of children actually residing in the orphanages was reduced. Instead of 860 children as approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia for 2011 only 771 children were actually fostered in orphanages, that is 89.7% of the approved number. At the same time the number of students in specialised orphanages has increased.

16.A vital issue is the improvement of social protection of children studying in special general educational institutions of the Republic and the integrated management of the institutions.

17.For that purpose a working group was set up by the joint order of the Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia No 44-A/1 of 18 April 2012 and of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia No 299-A/K of 18 April 2012, which during the months April and May of this year conducted research of 23 special general educational institutions in marzes and cities of the Republic on the basis of questionnaire approved for the assessment of social and educational needs of children under care. About 1,379 children out of 2,150 studying in the institutions stay there at night. For the purpose of ensuring their social protection, improving their life quality an “Action Plan for Ensuring Uniform Management and Social Protection for Children with Special Needs in Special Educational Institutions” was approved by the joint order of the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia N 67-A/1 of 20 July 2012 and of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia N726-A/K of 20 July 2012 (Based on point 1.2 of Annex N2 of the financing agreement of the program “Armenia-food security program-2010” concluded between the Republic of Armenia and European Union). The program provides for making supplements to the “Procedure for admitting, transferring and dismissing learners in a general educational institution of the Republic of Armenia”, survey of activities of the medical and pedagogical assessment centre and other measures.

Point 23 - Development of minimum standards of care in child care institutions

18.The procedure for the development and introduction of standards in child care institutions, such as orphanages, boarding institutions for child care and protection, as well as the monitoring of the procedure by the state and non-governmental organisations are in process. (Based on the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1324-N of 5 August 2004 “On recognizing a state authorized management body and approving the state minimum social standards necessary for the care and upbringing of children in orphanages” and the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 815-N of 31 May 2007 on approving the minimum standards for the care and treatment of children under care in orphanages (irrespective of its organisational and legal form)).

19.During recent years significant works were carried out for the application of the state minimum social standards.

20.The introduction of the standards in all the institutions of the Republic providing 24-hour care of children, including special schools functioning within the system of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia, is regarded as an issue of top priority.

Point 24 - Program for de-institutionalisation of child care institutions

21.For the purpose of returning children to their biological families and placing them in foster families “The program on services of returning to families of children under care in 24-hour child care and protection facilities (de-institutionalisation and prevention)” has been launched in 2006 and is still implemented at the expense of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia.

22.Within the framework of the reform policy implemented regarding children, the deinstitutionalisation of orphanages of the Republic has been regarded as an issue of high priority among the activity measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, conditioned by the exercise of the right of the child to live in a family.

23.For the purpose of resolving the issue, the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 804-N “On making amendments to and supplements in the decision N381 of March 2005 ‘On approving the list of types of child care and protection institutions in the Republic of Armenia, the standards on placing them therein and on making amendments to and supplements in the decision No 2179-N of The Government of the Republic of Armenia of 26 December 2002’ and decision No 1735-N of 9 November 2006” was elaborated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and adopted by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 804-N of 2 June 2011.

Measures taken

24.“Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage” of Gyumri in the Marz of Shirak, Republic of Armenia, has been reorganised and since 2010 has been functioning as a boarding institution for child care and protection. It supports poor families in the region in terms of care and upbringing of their children.

25.For the purpose of ensuring the implementation of protocol decision No 14.7/91675/-11 of the session of 13 October 2011 held by the Standing Ministerial Social Committee of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, amendments were made to the statute of Yerevan “Zatik Orphanage” SNCO by the order of the Minister on Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia No 98-A/1 of 11 December 2011, according to which the orphanage by 2014 shall:

•Ensure 24-hour care of children aged 14-18 left without parental care (since 2013 it will not be functioning as an orphanage any more);

•Ensure 24-hour care for up to six months to any homeless child aged 3-18 in difficult life situations;

•Ensure day care of any child aged 6-18 in difficult life situation in the city of Yerevan (in 2013 for 100 children). An estimated AMD 27,449,0 thousand has been provided for by the 2013 Budget for the expenses of the institution. As a result of the reforms the number of state orphanages has been reduced two times.

26.Charitable non-governmental organisation “Aravot” functioning in the Marz of Lori of the Republic of Armenia continues the programme of de-institutionalisation of 24-hour care facilities within the framework of social partnership at the expense of the State Budget. As part of 2010 and 2011 programmes, 40 children under care in the institutions were returned to their biological families, the admission of 10 children was prevented, in 2012 these numbers were 30 and 20 respectively, while in 2013, it is envisaged that 25 children will be returned to their families and the admission of 25 children to institutions will be prevented.

27.In 2011 “World Vision” international charitable organisation also implemented the programme of de-institutionalisation of child care and protection institutions, as a result of which 46 children were returned to their families, the admission of 250 children to institutions was prevented.

Point 25 - Introduction of a foster care institute, creation of a database of candidates for foster families

28.The introduction of a foster care institute in Armenia is in process. In 2012, about 24 children aged 4-18 are under care in 23 foster families. (Based on the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 459-N of 8 May 2008 “On approving the procedure for placing the child in a foster care family, the amount of and procedure for making monetary monthly payments to the foster family supporting the child and paying remuneration to the foster parents for the care and upbringing of the child and on approving the form of agreement on placing the child in a foster care family for upbringing purposes”).

29.The development of a foster care institute is important for 500 children under care in specialised orphanages. Significant efforts and means are required for organising the care and upbringing of children with health problems in the above-mentioned families.

Point 26 - Program to ensure labour rights for children, prevention and elimination of child labour and exploitation

30.Labour of minors, especially the exploitation of child labour, is also deemed to be an issue related to children in difficult life situations. Partial research conducted by different non-governmental organisations witnesses the existence of the phenomenon.

31.In accordance with the law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Rights of the Child” every child enjoys the right to obtain specialty and to engage in any employment not prohibited by law in accordance with his/her age specific opportunities, health condition and abilities. In accordance with Article 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, children under the age of 16 shall not be allowed to work full time. Employment contract with a child may be concluded following his or her attainment of the age of 16, and in cases prescribed by law — following the attainment of the age of 15.

32.The experimental study conducted in 2008 analysed the main tasks related to the child labour, such as work incentives, spheres, conditions and duration of work, children’s health and education. An attempt was made to study and assess the phenomenon, taking into account social and economic difficult situation of the country. It was concluded that the phenomenon is not so widespread in Armenia, and the number of working children is low – only 71 children in 1,066 households.

33.No new study regarding child’s labour has been conducted so far.

Point 27 - Creation of three centres for vagrant and beggar children and the organisation of care thereof

34.As a result of integrated activities, the number of children engaged in beggary reduces year by year. Thus, if about 10 years ago the number of registered minors engaged in beggary was about 300 persons, now this number is 15. Such positive results were recorded due to the mutual cooperation of different inter-agencies and international and local non-governmental organisations.

35.At the 25th session of the National Commission for the Protection of Children in the Republic of Armenia of April 2012 the draft of the joint order of the Police of the Republic of Armenia, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia on establishing a working group for giving solutions to the issues with respect to beggar and vagrant children was elaborated. The objective of the implemented activities is the introduction of modern rehabilitation services aimed at solving the problems faced by vagrant and beggar children, which will be included in the 2013 Annual programme of the National Commission for the Protection of the Rights of the Child.

Point 28 - Provision of social support to families with children with disabilities

36.The issues of legal and social protection of children with disabilities are of top priority in the state policy on children. The issues with respect to their treatment, care, rehabilitation, further development and integration are very important both for the person and for the society. The protection of the rights of children with disabilities is ensured by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Rights of the Child”, the law of the Republic of Armenia “On Social Protection of Children Left without Parental Care”, the law of the Republic of Armenia “On Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities”, the law of the Republic of Armenia “On State Pensions” as well as by other legal acts.

37.In 2012 the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia elaborated and submitted to the Government of the Republic of Armenia the draft law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Social Inclusion”. The law covers the legal relations related to the social, legal and economic minimal guarantees necessary for defining the disability, social, medical and professional rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, ensuring the accessible environment for persons with disabilities, their education, working activities, health protection, as well as the equal participation thereof in the social life. The law aims at protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring the effective social inclusion thereof.

38.The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Rights of the Child” prescribes the principle of equality of the rights of children, including “irrespective of the health condition thereof and other circumstances”. The State provides any child with disabilities, and those with mental or physical defects with free specialised medical, defectological, psychological assistance, ensures the opportunity for them to receive basic and professional education and find a job in accordance with their abilities, as well as the social rehabilitation thereof, thus strengthening the trust and facilitating the participation thereof in social life.

39.Children are provided with technical equipment, wheels for persons with disabilities and other items at the expense of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia. Subject to personal needs, he or she is provided with necessary prosthetic and orthopaedic items, such as hearing devices, wheels and walking frames. The process of enhancement of students’ life quality, improvement of care, treatment, education, integrated rehabilitation services is constantly implemented in 3 specialised orphanages.

40.At the end of 2012 in the Republic of Armenia the number of children with limited capacities-recognised as children with disabilities, was 8,079.

41.Family is regarded as the basis for the development of the children’s rights and social protection sphere. In case of social-economic difficulties in the family and those with respect to child treatment, families having children with disabilities place them in orphanage for permanent care. At the end of 2012 the number of children with central nervous system disorders, as well as those with congenital and acquired physical and mental defects under care in 3 orphanages, was 487. In the programmes for social support, and particularly, in the “Social benefit” scheme the highest score point, that is 47, is provided for children with disabilities.

Point 29 - Establishment of day care centres for children

42.The two social child care centres in Yerevan and Gyumri continue their activities in accordance with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia N1877 of 7 December 2007 “On Approving the Procedure for the Provision of Day Care to Children”, which regulates the relations with respect to the provision of day care to children of 6-18 years of age with disabilities, deprived of parental care, as well as to those with upbringing-related difficulties.

43.The provision of day care is one of the basic types of social services. It may be implemented in an institution or at home until the social and psychological rehabilitation of the child. The centre simultaneously supports more than 100 children.

44.The four day care centres in cities Dilijan, Ijevan, Noyemberyan and Bert in the Marz of Tavush, Republic of Armenia, also continue their activities by supporting 250-300 children, including those with physical and mental development defects. The centres actively cooperate with the marz divisions for the protection of family, women and children rights.

45.The coordination of the centres is carried out by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia together with the non-governmental organisation “Huysi Kamurj”, and, in particular, the professional services are provided by the mentioned organisation.

46.During the last years 13 day care centres for the development and rehabilitation of children were created and now operate in different marzes of the Republic.

47.It is envisaged to increase the number of community day care centres for children acting at the expense of the state and other means to 25.

Point 31 - Organisation of summer holidays for socially vulnerable children

48.Every year summer holidays for children are organised by the Interagency Commission set up by the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

49.In accordance with decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia N 538-A of 19 June 2012, summer holidays for school-age children of killed or disabled servicemen, for orphans as well as for those from poor families with many children, are organised at the expense of the State Budget in healthcare camps for children from the 1st of July in two shifts, each lasting for 20 days.

50.The decision also refers to the programmes and methods of education and upbringing provided to pupils on summer holidays in terms of their modernisation, and provision of support to pupils in accordance with their preferences, mental and physical abilities, and organising additional education.

51.The secure transfer of pupils leaving for and returning from holidays and other issues are also governed. Local and international humanitarian organisations, as well as the church also assist in organising summer holidays for children under care in orphanages acting within the system of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, including for those of the 3 specialised orphanages, as well as ensure the conditions for the rehabilitation and treatment of students in rest areas of the Republic, provide them with food, care and fulfil other requirements thereof.

52.In accordance with the 2004-2015 National Plan of Action for the Protection of the Rights of the Child approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, from 2010 to date, about 16 religious, 34 educational, 37 cultural and 35 sport events have been held in the penitentiary institutions.

53.National Commission for the Protection of the Rights of the Child continues its activities aimed at ensuring a state uniform policy for the protection of the rights and interests of the child and the main guarantees for the protection of the rights and interests thereof, as well as elaborating recommendations for solving the emerged issues. (Basis: in accordance with the Decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia N835 of 28 October 2005 “On establishing National Commission for the Protection of Children, approving the statute of the Commission and the individual composition thereof”.)

54.Issues related to the protection of the rights of the children, key objectives of the cooperation of local, international, non-governmental organisations and state institutions, and results of the implemented programmes and other issues were considered during the 3 sessions held by the National Commission in the current year.

55.The draft decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia “On establishing National Commission for the protection of children, approving the statute of the Commission and the membership composition thereof, repealing decision of the Prime-minister of the Republic of Armenia N835-N of 28 October 2005”, wherein new activities were included, and the membership composition of the Commission was enlarged. The draft was submitted to the Prime-Minister of the Republic of Armenia for approval.

56.The main objectives of the activities of Commission are as follows:

(a)To support the coordination of the activities of bodies responsible in the sphere of protection of the rights of the child;

(b)To support the implementation and elaboration of the state policy and strategic plans aimed at protecting the rights and interests of children;

(c)To support the implementation of key objectives of children in difficult life situations;

(d)To support the cooperation of state governmental and local self-governmental bodies implementing protection of the rights and interests of the child, as well as state, community and private institutions, non-governmental, political, scientific and other organisations fostering and protecting children.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 2, of the list of issues

57.The guarantees for the efficiency in the coordination at the national level are the activities based on the laws and decisions adopted in the sphere of a three-cycle system of the protection of children, the close cooperation with the specialists working in all the levels of the system of the protection of children, exchange of experience, as well as trainings aimed at improving the qualifications of the specialists.

58.The courses are organised by three-year cycle, are held by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the National Institute of Labour and Social Investigations of the Republic of Armenia (SNCO) acting within the system in accordance with the jointly elaborated plans, by involving the advanced specialists in the Republic with the best scientific and practical contribution. Professional training programmes, topics of courses, periods for holding thereof and the number of participants are approved by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia for each academic year.

59.During the first semester of 2012 training courses were organised for the staff of specialised orphanages, particularly for 149 employees, the main objective whereof was the acquisition of modern knowledge and professional skills, mastering of the legal fields and new methodology in the given sphere, and, generally, ensuring the procedure for lifelong learning.

60.Holding of plenary sessions of the National Commission for the Protection of the Rights of the Child is another mechanism for ensuring the efficiency of national coordination. It gives the interested organisations bothering about the key objectives of the children the opportunity to submit their questions, consider the implemented programmes and urgent issues. These hearings, materials being considered and the solutions given serve as guidelines for specialists in their activities.

61.The approval of the new statute for the bodies of guardianship and curatorship by the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia N164-N of 24 February 2011, played an essential practical role for ensuring efficiency in the coordination of activities in the sphere of the rights of children between national and local levels and for enhancing efficiency of specialists’ activities.

62.“Methodical Guidelines on the activities of guardianship and curatorship commissions acting adjunct to guardianship and curatorship bodies” was approved by the order of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs N69-A/1 of 13 September 2011; it was given to all the guardianship and curatorship bodies.

63.The application of the guidelines in practice will contribute to ensuring of a uniform approach towards solving the issues with respect to children.

64.For the purpose of ensuring efficiency in coordinating activities among national, marz (regional) and community levels of the sphere, it is envisaged to elaborate the mechanisms of cooperation among all the levels of the three-cycle system in the following directions: provision of services to children and their families in difficult life situations and implementation of policy in the sphere of the protection of children and monitoring.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 3, of the list of issues

[In the report as submitted by the State party, no text was provided directly under the reference to part I, paragraph 3.]

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 4, of the list of issues

Table 1 On the number of separate measures (in the spheres of social defence, healthcare and education) and amount of financing envisaged by the 2011-2012 annual programme for the protection of the child

(thousand drams)

No	Name of the measure	Implementer in charge	State budget approved in 2011	State budget approved in 2012
1.	Children’s 24–hour care services	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	1 802 261.6	1 711 769.7
2.	Services for night care and the protection of children	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	1 009 694.7	999 943.5
3.	Social care services for children in a risk zone	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	144 700.3	184 962.5
4.	Support and consultancy to the alumni of child care institutions of the Republic of Armenia	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	36 115.5	35 702.4
5.	Services for returning children under care in child care organisations of the Republic of Armenia to their families/de-institutionalisation	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	11 770.0	11 770.0
6.	Social care services for children in difficult situations at child day care centres	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	51 338.4	51 338.4
7.	Services for introduction of foster family institute in the Republic of Armenia	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	28 207.0	28 207.0
8.	Provision of financial support to schoolchildren under care in orphanages	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	9 000.0	7 656.0
9.	Provision of scholarships and lump-sum financial support to alumni of child care institutions of the Republic of Armenia	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	3 800.0	3 800.0
10.	Provision of financial support packages to the biological families where children have been transferred.	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	9 702.0	9 702.0
11.	Services for maintenance, support and provision of information of children’s data information system “Manuk”.	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	15 317.9	15 317.9
12.	State target-oriented programme (in total) for the protection of mother’s and child’s health, including: Free medical assistance and treatment to children recommended by the State, wherefrom Outpatient - polyclinic medical assistance and screening of children of 0-18 years of age Services for detection of diseases, health assessment and treatment of children included in high risk groups inpatient medical assistance to children of 0-7 years of age involved in socially vulnerable and special groups Inpatient urgent medical assistance to children •Annual programme for the prevention of children’s dental problems /6 and 12 years of age/ Specialised dental medical services to children of 0-8, 12 years of age included in socially vulnerable and special groups Obstetrical-gynaecological inpatient medical assistance Obstetrical-gynaecological outpatient medical assistance and examination **Programme of newborn screening ***Programme for assessing the reproductive health of girls of 15 years of age	Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia	20 870 918.9 11 742 901.4 4 968 241.4 173 000.0 5 709 580.0 678 420.0 95 316.0 118 344.0 7 254 945.7 1 873 071.8	20 754 815.0 11 993 661.3 4 916 731.1 173 000.0 6 099 020.0 595 980.0 93 685.2 115 245.0 6 834 970.6 1 926 183.1
13.	****Ongoing implementation of the programme for ensuring inpatient medical assistance to children of 0-7 years of age	Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia
14.	*****Ongoing implementation of primary healthcare programme for children	Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia
15.	Carrying out of measures provided for within the framework of Immune and preventive national programme	Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia	230 000.0	338 375.9
16.	****** Implementation of obstetric-gynaecological inpatient medical assistance programme (introduction of obstetric care state certificate programme)	Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia
17.	Implementation of “Inclusive education” programme in 63 schools	Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia, Regional Administrations of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan Municipality	897 719.5	877 908.0
18.	Capacity development of Yerevan psycho-medical and pedagogical assessment centre and its two branches	Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia	343 313.3	140 159.4
19.	Implementation of pre-school education development programme Elaboration of pre-school education standards for children of 0-6 years of age Elaboration and publication of educational-methodical manual on the basis pre-school education standards Implementation of a strategic plan in 8 marzes	Regional Administrations of the Republic of Armenia	96 995.7	156 669.3
20.	Organisation of school academic competitions (organisation of academic competitions in 15 subjects and participation in international academic competitions in 6 subjects)	Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia	41 565.0	41 565.0
21.	Organisation of summer holidays for schoolchildren	Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia	236 676.0	236 676.0
22.	Organisation of Spartakiada games for schoolchildren	Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia	35.000.0	35.000.0

Note

* The changes of 2012/2011 expenditures (reduction or increase) are conditioned by the change in the number of beneficiaries within the framework of programmes

** Included in the measure of outpatient - polyclinic medical assistance and screening for children of 0-18 years of age

*** Included in the measure of obstetric-gynaecological outpatient medical assistance and examination

**** Included in the measure of inpatient medical assistance to children aged 0-7 involved in socially vulnerable and special groups

***** Included in the measure of outpatient - polyclinic medical assistance and screening for children aged 0-18.

****** Included in the measure of obstetrics-gynaecological inpatient medical assistance

Table 2

Expenditures for the fight against trafficking in accordance with separate programmes and the Public administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia implementing them

N/N	Names of expenditure programmes and Public administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia implementing thereof	State Budget approved in 2010	State Budget approved in 2011	State Budget approved in 2012
	Total:	77327.9	97055.8	70392.4
	Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	67127.9	73555.8	46892.4
1	Support to the alumni of orphanages of the Republic of Armenia	36115.5	36115.5	35702.4
2	Provision of scholarships and lump-sum financial support to alumni of orphanages of the Republic of Armenia	4280.0	3800.0	3800.0
3	Within the framework of implementation of public awareness measures	766.0	766.0	766.0
4	Social-psychological rehabilitation services for the victims of trafficking	25966.4	32874.3	6624.0
	Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia	2200.0	2200.0	2200.0
5	Medical assistance services to the victims of trafficking	2200.0	2200.0	2200.0
	Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Armenia	8000.0	8000.0	8000.0
6	Propaganda measures aimed at the prevention of exploitation (trafficking) in human beings	8000.0	8000.0	8000.0
	Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Armenia		133000.0	133000.0
7	Training services		13300.0	13300.0

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 5, of the list of issues

65.In 2004 the “Norq” information-analytical centre elaborated and introduced the system “Manuk” for the registration of data on the orphanage children and the adoption thereof. The system was installed in the Department of Women and Children Issues of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The system is updated with the data on children under care in 6 orphanages and 8 boarding institutions for child care and protection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, as well as within this system the collection of the data on children subject to adoption and candidate adopters, children in difficult life situations (IDLS), including centralised registration of children left without parental care and of all the necessary data on the children with disabilities and those deprived of one or both parents is carried out.

66.Within medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) of the Republic of Armenia, the amount of AMD 15,317.9 thousand was allocated to system “Manuk” for each year within the period of 2011-2013.

67.At present the information system is introduced at the national level in:

•The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (“Norq” information-analytical centre CJSC);

•Marzes - in the Marz divisions for the protection of family, women and children rights;

•Yerevan – in the division for Children’s Rights protection of the Yerevan Municipality.

68.For the purpose of ensuring joint management of children’s protection system and having a complete system of data on the children in difficult life situations, the information system “Manuk”, operating at marz (regional) and national levels of the three-cycle system for the protection of children, will gradually be introduced in communities, which will enable to run the system in communities as well.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 6, of the list of issues

69.The law “On the Rights of the Child” stipulates the principle of equality of children’s rights, regardless of the nationality of their parents and other legal representatives, gender, language, religion, social origin, health condition, and other factors.

70.The equality of the rights of women and men is enshrined in a number of other codes and laws. In that context, the following documents adopted within the recent years by the Government of the Republic of Armenia should be mentioned:

•The protocol decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 5 “On Establishing the Concept of Gender Policy” approved at the session of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 11 February 2010;

•The Protocol decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 19 “On Establishing 2011-2015 Gender Policy Strategic Action Plan and 2011 Gender Policy Action Plan” approved at the session of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 20 May 2011;

•The Protocol decision No 23 “On Establishing National Program against Gender Violence, 2011-2015 Strategic Action Plan and 2011 Action Plan” approved at the session of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 17 June 2011;

•The draft law of the Republic of Armenia “On Ensuring Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men” approved at the session of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 17 October 2011 and adopted in a first reading of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on 6 February 2012.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 7, of the list of issues

71.In standard 2(6) under the heading “Protection of the Rights of the Child” of the state minimum social standards necessary for the care and upbringing of children it is enshrined that the orphanage and the boarding institution for child care and protection ensures the protection of the child in the manner stipulated by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, in particular:

•From psychological and physical violence, including sexual abuse and perversion, cruel treatment

•From crime, disregard and injustice

•From health-threatening substances and life-threatening conditions

72.In Armenia, all the forms of corporal punishment in institutions fostering and protecting children are forbidden. The process is always monitored by the administration and superior bodies, as well as by non-governmental organisations. This Standard also stipulates that the institution ensures the exercise of rights of children and people acting in their interest (parents or legal representatives not deprived of parental rights, relatives), to appeal against illegal actions of the staff, defines the internal procedure for appealing in compliance with law, keeps a special box for complaints and suggestions.

73.Joint actions were carried out with international organisations World Vision and Save the Children aimed at revealing and eliminating the phenomenon. A manual on the “Guidance Procedures for the Protection of Children from Violence” was developed, as well as courses, campaigns, round tables, discussions on violence were held in Yerevan and Marzes of the Republic.

74.However, the assessment criteria of the phenomenon of violence, the collection of information on prevalence and manifestation forms thereof, the mechanisms of response and activities of interested bodies are not yet formally specified, the rehabilitation services of children subjected to violence, measures aimed at preventing the phenomenon are not sufficient. The intolerant attitude towards the phenomenon is not yet formed by the society.

75.During the period of 2009-2012 World Vision non-governmental organisation funded by the European Union implemented the programme “Reduction of Violence against Children in Armenia”. The main objective of the program was to reduce the phenomenon of violence against children, including the reduction of the risk of corporal punishment, to develop parents’ skills, improve cooperation, as well as improve the legislation concerning the protection of the rights of children in accordance with international norms.

76.The heads and specialists of 3 Marz divisions for the protection of family, women and children rights, guardianship and curatorship bodies, territorial departments of social services, 6 community centres and those of World Vision Territorial Development Programs were involved in the programme activities.

77.Public awareness was another component of the programme. The organisation together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs conducted public awareness and educational campaigns at the community, marz (regional) and republican levels, took part in the campaigns on the rights of the children entitled “The Reduction of Violence against Children in Armenia” organised by marz divisions.

78.The introduction of the integrated social service system in the Republic plays an important role in preventing corporal punishment (Base: The programme on the introduction of an integrated social service system and the pilot programme on the provision of integrated social services were approved by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 952-N of 26 July 2012).

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 8, of the list of issues

79.Within the framework of the reform policy implemented in the sphere of children, the deinstitutionalisation of orphanages was regarded as an issue of high priority among the activity measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Armenia in 2011.

80.The Government of the Republic of Armenia adopted procedures for children’s admission to institutions and defined the standards thereof, as well as took a number of measures aimed at protecting the rights of children in institutions and improving their life quality.

81.For the purpose of solving the issue, the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 804-N of 2 June 2011 “On making amendments to and supplements in the decision No 381 of March 2005 On approving the list of types of child care and protection institutions in the Republic of Armenia, the standards on placing them therein and on making amendments to and supplements in the decision of The Government of the Republic of Armenia No 2179-N of 26 December 2002 and decision No 1735-N of 9 November 2006” was adopted. As a result the requirements for children’s admission to the institutions were clarified and made more stringent.

82.At present six public orphanages serve 757 children, 500 of which have organic and functional disorders of central nervous system, congenital and acquired physical and mental disabilities.

83.About 150 children are under care in three non-public orphanages, from which 25 in specialised orphanages, and about 100 in family-type orphanages. There are about 800 children under care in child care and protection institutions.

84.As a result of the reforms the number of public orphanages was reduced by two: “Fridtjof Nansen Orphanage in Gyumri” State non-commercial organisation was reorganised into Fridtjof Nansen boarding institution N 2 for child care and protection, and “Zatik” orphanage in Yerevan State non- commercial organisation will be reorganised into Children’s Support Centre starting from 2013.

85.Forty children in 2010, 40 children in 2011, and 48 children in 2012 were transferred from orphanages to their biological families. Twenty four children in 2010, 24 children in 2011, and 24 children in 2012 were fostered in foster families (in 23 families).

86.One hundred and thirty eight children in 2010, 121 children in 2011, and 63 children in 2012 were adopted.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 9, of the list of issues

87.In 2012, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia elaborated a draft law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” and will submit it to the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The law refers to the issues with respect to children with disabilities as well.

88.The law aims at protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, including those of children with disabilities, and ensuring the effective social inclusion thereof.

89.The right of persons with disabilities to education in the Republic of Armenia is enshrined in Article 35 of the Constitution under which “Every person shall enjoy the right to education. Basic general education shall be compulsory for everyone in the Republic of Armenia”. It should be mentioned that secondary education at state educational institutions is free of charge. In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Education”, adopted in 1999, “The State creates necessary conditions to ensure provision of corresponding education and social comfort according to the peculiarities of the development of citizens with special education needs”. At the same time it is enshrined in the law that the education for children with special education needs may upon the parents decision be carried out by special programs both in general education and special schools. Starting from 2001, the general education schools of the Republic of Armenia practice inclusive education with the support of non-governmental organisations. From 2001 to 2005, an experimental program of inclusive education was implemented in 5 general education schools. The concept of “inclusive education” was defined by adoption of the Law “On education of persons with special education needs” in 2005. In accordance with the law “Inclusive education is the education of persons with special education needs to study in general educational institutions together with those having no special education needs through establishment of specific conditions of education for those having”. Since 2007 the network of general education schools implementing inclusive education has been broadening. In accordance with the order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia today 98 general education schools implement inclusive education wherein about 2,390 children with special education needs study. Parallel to advancement of inclusive education, the number of special general educational institutions decreases. In 2002, 52 special schools operated in the Republic where about 10,000 children studied. Today 23 special schools operate in the Republic where about 2,500 schoolchildren study. In accordance with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1365-N of 25 August 2005 “the child with special education needs is financed in increased rates”. In accordance with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 439 of 8 April 2010 a state single general criteria on general education was established for all students, according to that document, for the purpose of an effective organisation of education for children with special education conditions, the content of general education program is adapted to the perception and mental functioning abilities thereof.

90.Since 2011, in accordance with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 46-N of 27 January, inclusive education in general educational system has been implemented in Marz Tavush and an experimental funding procedure needed for the organisation of education for children with special education needs was introduced.

91.In 2012, the National Assembly Of the Republic of Armenia adopted the draft law of the Republic of Armenia “On making amendments to and supplements in the Law of the Republic of Armenia ‘On General Education’ ” in the first reading, which provides for transition to general inclusive education in general education system, through the application of a three-level system of responding to child's educational needs.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 10, of the list of issues

92.The introduction of State Certificates for Obstetric Care and Child Health is one of the most significant reforms aimed at improving child and maternal health.

93.The Obstetric Care State Certificate programme, which was introduced in 2008, is very important for improving the health of mothers and newborns and reducing the death rate of mothers. The additional financial contributions made within the framework of the programme for introduction of Obstetric Care State Certificate provided the opportunity to increase the prices for childbirth by nearly 2 times, making the sums compensated by the state to the medical institutions for those services correspond more to the real expenditures and increase salaries of doctors by 2 or 3 times, which highly contributed to the implementation of the goals set forth in the programme, that is, maximum reduction of shadow payments in maternity hospitals and provision of free and affordable childbirth services for the population.

94.Moreover, based on the data of the independent study conducted by USAID NOVA Project in 2009, unofficial payments made at institutions providing childbirth support have been reduced by 4 times (91% prior to 1 July 2008, 24% in 2009), and according to the results of Demographic and Health Survey in 2010, the shadow in obstetrical services in the Republic has been reduced by more than 10 times. Moreover, it has been reduced more in the case of the rural population (in village — 16 times, in city —7.7 times).

95.As a result of introducing Obstetric Care State Certificate programme and of a higher level of awareness of the population about the government’s concern on obstetric care issues, as well as about their rights to free of charge services, the attitude of young families towards reproduction has changed significantly. Whereas youth used to postpone the birth of a desired child and sometimes even the first child due to expenses at the maternity hospital, now this circumstance is no longer a hindrance for the birth of another child. This is especially important in the context of socially disadvantaged families which, having the Obstetric Care State Certificate, are more self-confident since they are aware that the government covers the expenses for their child’s birth and that those services are really free of charge. As a result of all this, the indicators of the rate of pregnant women under pre-natal care and the birth rate have increased notably. Evidence of this is the statistical data that the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia has gathered from maternity hospitals through an operative procedure:

96.Based on preliminary data of 2010, the indicator for early registration of pregnant women (pre-natal care starting from 12 weeks of pregnancy) has increased by nearly 35% in the Republic.

97.In 2009, there were 44,430 births registered in the Republic, which means 3,022 more births as compared to 2008. In 2010, there were 44,680 births, meaning 280 more births as compared to 2009.

98.In the past years, the death rate of mothers has been reduced by nearly 20 percent in 2009 and 70 percent in 2010, and the traumatism of mother and child during childbirth has been reduced by nearly 20 percent.

99.Starting from 1 January 2011, the “Obstetric Care State Certificate” system has been introduced in the Republic, the guarantee of which was the additional amount of 3.13 billion drams provided for in the 2011 healthcare budget. The introduction of the certificate system, the compensation for hospital services provided to children at a price close to the real price and the increase in the salaries of doctors by two-fold created the opportunity to improve the affordability and quality of hospital care for children, reduce the death rate of children at hospitals and reduce the non-official payment practices within the system.

100.The results of the preliminary and current (after 6 months) assessment of the programme prove that the non-official payments have been reduced by more than 4-5 times. Out of the participants of the survey and mothers who have benefited from the certificates, 79% in Yerevan and 91% in the marzes have mentioned that they were content with the services since the medical assistance was gratuitous.

101.The increase in the efficiency of the programme and the affordability of hospital services for children is also evidenced by nearly 20 percent increase in cases of seeking in-patient medical services.

102.Based on data gathered through an operative procedure from 3 children’s hospitals in Yerevan, in 2011, as compared to 2010, there was already a reduction in death rate of children, ranging from the ages of 0 to 7, at hospitals (from 1.6% to 1.08%). Moreover, in the same hospitals the rate of deaths occurring within 24 hours of admission to hospital has been reduced from 21% to 15%. This is the best evidence of the fact that people no longer delay consultation with a doctor in order to prevent the development of a heavy illness, which may be lethal.

103.Several programmes for the prevention of mortality, morbidity and disability of children continue to be implemented in 2011, including programmes for phenylketonuria, hypothyreosis, retinopathy of immaturity detection and screening of hearing of newborns, which allow taking measures to treat these children at an early age and prevent the disabilities conditioned by those illnesses.

104.In July 2010, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministries of Education and Science and Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia, non-governmental organisations and other interested bodies took part in the discussion of the results of 2010 study on health behaviour of schoolchildren during a conference devoted to “Key Issues of Child and Adolescent Health”.

105.Efforts are underway to develop and introduce a pilot integrated model for friendly health care services for adolescents.

106.The “Healthy School” initiative has been introduced at 9 schools in the Republic within the framework of international co-operation.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 11, of the list of issues

107.As part of the measures taken against malnutrition and anaemia, in 2011 the Government of the Republic of Armenia approved the “National Conception and Action Plan for Enrichment of Wheat Flour" and the “National Strategy on Food Security”, the action plan of which for 2010-2015 envisages the development of the “National Strategy for Improvement of Nutrition for Children at an Early Age”.

108.In 2011, the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia, UNICEF and the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia developed and placed into circulation the draft law “On promotion of breastfeeding of children and circulation of infant food”, which is targeted at encouraging breastfeeding and regulating the circulation of infant milk formulas.

109.The draft law includes the two aspects of special significance for the improvement of breastfeeding, that is, encouragement and protection of breastfeeding. It is not aimed at convincing or, much less, compelling women to breastfeed and/or impede the affordability and sale of infant milk formulas or, if necessary, their use, but simply strives to terminate advertisement or promotion convincing people or having an impact on their choice to use infant milk formulas. Unlike the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Advertisements”, the new draft law lays down the procedure for monitoring over the products of companies and the sanctions for violations of the law. The draft law also lays down provisions for public awareness about the advantages of breastfeeding and the use of infant milk formulas, as well as the dangers arising from the improper use of them. The obligations of medical institutions and medical specialists in that sphere are laid down.

110.Parliamentary and public hearings on “Legislative regulation of promoting breastfeeding of infants” were organised prior to putting the draft law into official circulation from 28 July 2011. The Alliance for the Health Maintenance of Mother and Child established by NGOs has also supported the adoption of the draft law. It will soon be presented in the NA agenda.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 12, of the list of issues

111.The policy on social support is developed and implemented in the Republic in accordance with the main principles of organisation and provision of social support.

112.One of those principles is the priority of providing social support to children, meaning giving preference to children in providing social services. The state benefits for the implementation of this principle are the family benefit and the lump sum financial assistance, the lump sum benefit for childbirth and the benefits for taking care of children under the age of two.

113.The amount of the lump sum benefit for the birth of a child, in the case of the birth of the first and second child, is 50,000 AMD, and 430,000 AMD in the case of the birth of every third child and the next child. Starting from 2014, the amount of the lump sum benefit for childbirth will be different in that it will be 1,000,000 for the birth of the third and fourth child, and 1,500,000 drams in case of the birth of every fifth child and the next child.

114.The amount of the benefit for care of a child under the age of two is 18,000 drams. This type of benefit is granted for the parent in leave for taking care of a child under the age of three up to the attainment of the child to the age of two.

115.Family benefit is granted to the poor family whose level of insecurity is higher than the limit value of security established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

116.In assessing the level of insecurity of families, the families with minor children are more likely to receive a family benefit, and the amount of the family benefit is conditioned more by the number of children in the family under the age of 18.

117.Nearly 83 percent of families receiving benefits (100,000 families) have minor children.

118.The amount of financial resources allocated from the state budget for payment of the above mentioned state benefits has a tendency to grow. Table 3 presents the number of beneficiaries of these programmes in 2010-2012 and the financial resources allocated through the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia.

Table 3 Number of beneficiaries of social benefits for families in 2010-2012 and the financial resources allocated through the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia

	2010	2011	2012
	Average number of beneficiaries	Sum foreseen in the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia (billion drams)	Average number of beneficiaries	Sum foreseen in the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia (billion drams)	Average number of beneficiaries (as of 01 December 2012)	Sum foreseen in the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia (billion drams)
Family benefit and lump sum financial assistance	105005	31.0	91575	35.5	95894	37.1
Lump sum benefit for birth of a child	43117	4.3	38462	4.7	39167	4.6
Benefit for the care of a child under the age of 2	9844	1.7	10495	2.3	10903	2.4

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 13, of the list of issues

119.The Centre for Educational Technologies (CET) of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia has included all schools of the Republic in the Internet Network of Schools in Armenia (INSA).

120.The schools in the Republic are equipped with nearly 17,000 computers.

121.The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia has provided general education schools with biology laboratories at the expense of funds from the State Budget.

122.Most high schools have been provided with electronic blackboards, computers, as well as supporting teaching materials and literature.

123.As a strategic goal the Government of the Republic of Armenia has adopted a policy on providing pre-school children with general education, that is, to ensure improved accessibility of pre-school education and enlargement of the system. The mentioned goal is established in the 2008-2015 Strategic Plan for Reforms in Pre-School Education in the Republic of Armenia (Protocol Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 10 of 13 March 2008). As target indicator, the inclusion of children in that group will reach up to 90% by 2015.

124.Pre-school institutions operate mainly under the subordination of communities, and up to 2011 no services have been provided in the mentioned sector at the expense of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia, but such services have been provided at the expense of community allocations, payments made by parents and sometimes even funds provided by international organisations.

125.With the view of supporting the sector and ensuring the affordability of pre-school education services in different regions of the Republic of Armenia and the right of children to education, means have been allocated for implementing a pilot programme through the application of cost-efficient models. As part of this programme, 22 pre-school groups with 538 children have been launched on the base of general education institutions in communities without kindergartens through the pilot programme in two marzes of the Republic of Armenia (Lori and Shirak) within the framework of “Education Quality and Compliance” loan project in 2009. In 2010, 328 children benefited from such services. At the same time, alternative models for organising pre-school education have been introduced in the Marzes of Ararat and Aragatsotn of the Republic of Armenia in 2010, as a result of which 1,084 children have been included in school preparatory groups. In 2011, new micro-programmes for pre-school education were introduced in 17 communities of the Marz of Syunik, 22 communities of the Marz of Vayots Dzor, 23 communities of the Marz of Armavir and 21 communities of the Marz of Gegharkunik of the Republic of Armenia. Currently, nearly 2,000 children are included in the institutions of the mentioned 83 communities, and the establishment process of micro-programmes is complete.

126.With a view of ensuring the ongoing implementation of pre-school education programmes, funds have been foreseen in the 2011 State Budget to cover the current expenses for organising one-year education for senior pre-school children, given the amount of annual sum per learner by the formula for funding based on the number of schoolchildren.

127.Based on statistics provided by Marzpetarans:

(a)In 2010, 630 pre-school institutions, with 58,605 children, were operating in the Republic under the subordination of communities; there were 405 children included in pre-school groups at 6 educational complexes, and 1,428 children were included in 71 pre-school groups through alternative models at 56 institutions;

(b)The number of non-state pre-school institutions increased from 30 to 51. There were 3,100 children of pre-school age included in 51 non-state pre-school institutions.

128.Based on the statistics provided by Marzpetarans (Yerevan Municipality), the following are the number of institutions that implemented pre-school education programmes in the Republic of Armenia in the 2011-2012 academic year (as of September):

(a)813, with 64,392 children, including 633 kindergartens with 63,830 children, 5 kindergartens within state educational complexes with 551 children, 51 non-state kindergartens with 1,000 children;

(b)Overall, as compared to 2011 and based on the pre-school education indicators, trends of growth and development were registered in 2012. The number of children involved in pre-school education increased from 56,452 to 64,392. The growth rates are obvious in terms of access to pre-school education system and increase in the rate of inclusion of children.

129.The Government of the Republic of Armenia has, as a strategic goal, adopted a policy on providing pre-school children with general education. As target indicator, the inclusion of children of that group will have reached 90% by 2015. Starting from 2013, there relevant expenditures will be provided for in the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the requirements of the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 1882-N of 20 October 2005 “On funding the expenditures for organising the education of pre-school children (aged 5-6)”. The memoranda of mutual understanding signed between international organisations and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia have served as a basis for the initiatives.

130.In relation to expenditures, there will be relevant funding for the education of 2,334 children, 4,001 children and 5,167 children of senior pre-school age respectively in the 2013-2015 general education programmes.

131.At the same time, in accordance with Decision of the Mayor of Yerevan No 11-01 A of 31 March 2011, pre-school education for children at pre-school educational institutions in Yerevan became free of charge starting from 1 April 2011. As a result, based on the data from the 2011-2012 academic year, as compared to the previous year, the gross inclusion of children at 161 kindergartens under Yerevan Municipality was expanded by nearly 3,000, amounting to total 30,250.

132.It should be emphasized that the micro-programmes for pre-school education launched on the basis of general education institutions through alternative models in the rural and municipal communities of the Republic of Armenia are free of charge for a short term and accessible for the exercising of the right to education of children of all groups, including those with special educational needs and of ethnic minorities.

Reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 14, of the list of issues

133.Every court has a judge specialised in examining the cases of minors. Peculiarities of the liability of minors are defined in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, peculiarities of examination of cases with their participation are defined in the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia and peculiarities of serving punishment on their part are defined in the Penitentiary legislation of the Republic of Armenia. Currently, there are 7 minor detainees and 16 prisoners at the isolation ward of the penitentiary establishment in the Republic of Armenia.

134.In Article 68 (2) of the Penitentiary Code of the Republic of Armenia it is established that minors at correctional institutions are kept apart from adults, and Article 109, mentioning the peculiarities of the serving punishment by minor prisoners, defines that minors sentenced to imprisonment for a certain period of time serve their punishment at the same correctional institution up to the expiry of the term of punishment, but not later than attainment of the age of 21. It is prohibited to send the minor sentenced to prison for an uncertain period to a closed correctional institution, which is under the strictest regime provided for by the RA Penitentiary Code.

135.Article 27 of the law “On treatment of arrested and detained persons” of the Republic of Armenia regulates the peculiarities of keeping women and minors under arrest or detention, in Part 1 of which it is mentioned that improved material conditions are created for arrested or detained women and minors at police holding and detention facilities.

II.Replies to the issues raised in part II of the list of issues

(a)New draft laws, and laws and their respective regulations

136.The annex to the present report presents the amendments which have been made to the legislation on the rights of the child.

(b)New institutions (and their mandates) or institutional reforms

137.Since 2010, the orphanage after Fritdjof Nansen of Gyumri in the Marz of Shirak of the Republic of Armenia has been reorganised and now operates as a boarding school institution for the care and protection of children. The structure provides for the care and education of children of poor and needy families that are in a difficult life situation.

138.Starting from 2013, “Zatik” Orphanage of Yerevan will serve as children support centre. The support centre ensures upbringing, spiritual and intellectual development of children, rehabilitates their moral-psychological state and supports in finding solutions to the problems of children’s families.

139.In 2013, the Orphanage after Mary Izmirlyan in Yerevan will transform from a general-type institution into a specialised institution and will ensure care and education of disabled children, as well as children with physical and psychological defects.

(c)Recently introduced policies, programmes and action plans and their scope and financing

140.See description of measures stemming from the “2004-2015 National Programme for the Protection of the Rights of Children” of the Republic of Armenia.

(d)Recent ratification of documents related to human rights

141.The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force in the Republic of Armenia starting from 22 October 2010.

142.In September 2010, the Republic of Armenia signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

III.Replies to the issues raised in part III of the list of issues

Facts, statistics and other information

Reply to the issues raised in part III, paragraph 1, of the list of issues

(a)Number of married girls under the age of 18

Table 4 Marriages registered in the Republic of Armenia , according to gender and age

( person s)

age	2008	2009	2010	2011
man	woman	man	woman	man	woman	man	woman
16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
17	0	99	0	99	0	91	0	57
18	51	663	75	663	51	603	12	86

* According to registrations made by territorial divisions of the Civil Status Acts

Registration Agency (CSAR) of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia

(b)Children living in conditions lower than the defined (extreme) poverty threshold

Source: Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia .

Table 5Level of extreme poverty of children based on household type, 2010-2011(in percentages)

Level of extreme poverty of children
	2010	2011
Number of children under 18
One	2.7	3.0
Two	3.1	3.6
Three or more	5.3	8.8
Gender
Girl	3.7	4.7
Boy	3.7	4.7
Age of the youngest child
0-5	4.0	4.7
6-14	3.5	5.1
15-18	3.3	3.1
Number of adults (aged 19-60)
Zero/one	5.0	3.7
Two	3.2	3.1
Three	2.2	4.2
Four or more	5.7	9.5
Number of retired persons in the household
Zero	4.4	4.6
One	2.1	5.1
Two or more	2.1	4.7
Number of disabled adults
Zero	3.0	4.5
One or more	7.2	5.6
Number of disabled children
Zero	3.7	4.7
One or more	5.2	8.4
Gender of the head of the household (based on the current population)
Male	3.1	4.7
Female	5.5	5.9
Marital status of the head of the household
Married/living together	3.2	4.9
Not married (widow) divorced	5.1	5.4
Level of education of the head of the household
Elementary and lower	3.0	6.6
Incomplete secondary	8.1	5.3
General secondary	4.1	6.3
Secondary vocational	2.2	4.2
Higher education	2.3	2.2
Employment status of the head of the household
Not worked within 7 days preceding the survey	5.4	7.3
Worked within 7 days preceding the survey	2.3	2.5
Employment status of adults (aged 19-60) in the household
No adult is working	10.4	10.2
Not all adults work	3.8	6.0
All adults work	1.2	1.7
Not only adults work	0.6	0.8
Total	3.7	4.7

Source : Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey, 2010-2011

(c)Families, children receiving State privileges

143.See the reply to the issues raised in part I, paragraph 12, of the list of issues.

(d)Registered and unregistered births

Table 6Distribution of registered births according to gender, 2008-2011 (person s)

	2008	2009	2010	2011
Total	41185	44413	44825	43340
G irl	19104	20761	20856	20213
B oy	22081	23652	23969	23127

Table 7

Registration of births of children under 5

Percentage of children under 5 with permanent (de jure) residence whose births have been registered by the CSAR divisions, according to the main characteristics, Armenia 2010
	Percentage of children whose births have been registered
Main characteristics	Having birth certificate	Not having birth certificate	Registered, total	Number of children
Age
<2	99.1	0,3	99.5	638
2-4	99.6	0,1	99.7	Տ42
Gender
Male	99 9	0,1	100.0	773
Female	93.8	0,3	99.1	706
Place of residence
Urban	99 3	0,0	99.3	Տ63
Rural	99.5	0,5	100.0	616
Marz
Yerevan	100 0	0,0	100.0	472
Aragatsotn	100 0	0,0	100.0	59
Ararat	100 0	0,0	100.0	106
Armavir	99.4	0,0	99.4	140
Gegharkunik	100 0	0,0	100.0	115
Lori	96.9	1.6	98.6	113
Kotayk	93.5	0,0	93.5	150
Shirak	93.5	0,7	99.3	160
Syunik	100 0	0,0	100.0	53
Vayots Dzor	100 0	0,0	100.0	42
Tavush	99.6	0,0	99.6	69
Level of welfare
Lowest	99 6	0,4	100.0	295
Low	99 7	0,3	100.0	308
Average	99 0	0,0	99.0	300
High	99 0	0,3	99.3	298
Highest	99 6	0,0	99.6	277
Total	99,4	0,2	99.6	1,479

Process of registration of births on the basis of the results of the “Demographic and Health Survey, 2010” (http://www.armstat.am/file/article/adhs_2010_arm_g_10.pdf, table 2.9, page 64) .

Measures are taken to ensure registration of births in the Republic

144.Since the moment of birth, the child acquires rights that are protected both by international agreements and domestic legislation on the rights of the child.

145.In 2010, with the view of preventing the cases of not registering the births of children in Armenia, identifying children and adults without birth registration and revealing the cases of unregistered deaths of children and providing relevant documents for such cases, the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, Healthcare, Justice and Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia and the Police of the Republic of Armenia developed relevant amendments and additions to the legislation.

146.The “Timetable for drafting legal acts for the purpose of registration of births and deaths in the Republic of Armenia, as well as registration of children having fallen out of record” has been developed and approved by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

147.As a result of the measures undertaken, 789 cases of unregistered births of children in the marzes of the Republic have been revealed, where 568 cases have been registered in 2010-2011. Currently, the process continues, the information is regularly submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia; and this evidences that the number of unregistered births is declining year after year.

(e)Violence against children, including corporal punishment and gender-based violence

148.Over the past years, the Republic of Armenia has approved and adopted different programmes against violence, including the National Programme against Gender Violence, the 2011-2015 Strategic Programme against Gender Violence and the Action Plan against Gender Violence.

(f)Sexual exploitation and abuse of children

149.There have been 4 cases of sexual exploitation of minors in the past three years. The age of the girls ranges from 16 to 17 years.

(g)Children living at institutions

Table 8Number of children at orphanages according to age groups at the end of the year, 2009-2011 (person s)

	Total	From which — girls
2009	2010	2011	2009	2010	2011
Up to 1 year old	79	93	99	40	48	52
1-6 years old	318	304	319	128	123	136
7-9 years old	195	186	163	98	89	90
10-15 years old	414	355	299	213	193	165
16-18 years old	218	302	235	114	144	115
Total	1224	1240	1115	593	597	558
F rom which-
disabled	425	425	466	195	197	207
with chronic psychological deviations	110	307	293	33	138	129
bed case	244	203	198	112	88	91

Source : NSS of the Republic of Armenia

(h)Children living in adopting families

Table 9Number of adopted children taken under centralised registration, according to the citizenship of the adopters and their family status, 2009-2011 (person s)

	Total	From which —girls
2009	2010	2011	2009	2010	2011
By citizens of the Republic of Armenia	47	73	62	15	32	27
including:
by one person	15	41	37	2	17	13
by a married couple	32	32	25	13	15	14
By foreign nationals	58	66	59	34	41	41
including:
by one person	3	4	11	3	1	10
by a married couple	55	62	48	31	40	31
Total	105	139	121	49	73	68
including:
by one person	18	45	48	5	18	23
by a married couple	87	94	73	44	55	45

Source : Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia .

Table 10Number of adopted children taken under centralised registration according to age groups, 2009-2011 (person s)

	Total	From which —girls
2009	2010	2011	2009	2010	2011
Up to 6 months	7	5	4	4	2	3
6 months to 1 year	30	36	30	17	18	20
1 year old to 6 years old	51	57	57	24	34	35
6 years old to 10 years old	7	16	12	3	7	7
10 years old to 15 years old	7	17	15	-	10	3
15 years old to 18 years old	3	8	3	1	2	-
Total	105	139	121	49	73	68

Source : Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia .

150.The procedure of adoption in the Republic of Armenia is carried out in accordance with the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia and Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No 269-N of 18 March 2010.

151.The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia carries out centralised registration of children subject to adoption and persons wishing to adopt.

152.To specify, 138 children were adopted in 2010, 121 children in 2011, and 63 children in 2012.

153.Adoption of children in the Republic of Armenia is carried out on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia, the Marriage and Family Code of the Republic of Armenia and several other documents. The verdict of the court on adoption that has entered into legal force is considered as a basis for state registration of adoption. State registration of adoption is carried out by the CSAR body of the place of location of the court having taken a decision on adoption or the place of residence of the adopters (adopter). State registration of adoption is carried out on the basis of a written application of the adopters (adopter) or their authorized person.

154.Children subject to adoption, adopted children, as well as the candidates for adoption are registered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. Supervision over the child adopted by the family of adopters and education of the child is exercised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the territorial centres for social services.

155.In 2011, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia took under centralised registration 165 children subject to adoption and 334 candidates for adoption. 125 children were adopted, including 63 by local adopters and 62 by foreign adopters.

(i)Child and infant mortality

Table 11Death rate of children according to gender, 2008-2011(died before 1 year old)

Year	Absolute number, people	Coefficient (per 1,000 born)
girl	boy	girl	boy
2008	177	265	9	12
2009	196	258	9	11
2010	201	311	10	13
2011	213	294	11	13

Table 12Death rate of children according to gender, 2008-2011(those who have died before turning 5 years old)

Year	Absolute number, person	Coefficient (per 1,000 born)
girl	boy	girl	boy
2008	200	298	10	13
2009	229	299	11	13
2010	236	364	11	15
2011	256	338	13	15

(j)Children suffering from chronic diseases

Table 13Number of children who have become disabled due to illnesses , 2009-2011 (person s)

	Total	from which — girls
2009	2010	2011	2009	2010	2011
Neuropsychiatric	3324	3352	3235	1029	1054	997
Ocular	622	560	518	194	179	162
Otorhinolaryngology	451	466	435	152	165	155
Visceral	1364	1278	1179	406	398	369
Oncological	236	225	188	95	83	69
Surgical	920	873	830	313	287	246
Dermal	53	45	42	8	4	6
Total	6970	6799	6427	2197	2170	2004

Source : RA Ministry of Health.

Table 14Morbidity of children aged 0-14 with a confirmed diagnosis for the first time, 2009-2011(per 100,000 residents aged 0-14)

	2009	2010	2011
Infectious and parasitic diseases	4768.3	5516.9	6253.5
Neoplasms	43.3	45.1	56.2
Endocrine system diseases, malnutrition, disturbances of metabolism and immune system	496.6	434.1	449.1
Blood diseases and diseases of haematopoietic organs	886.0	904.2	927.3
Mental disorders (including disorder of physical function of the vegetative nervous system)	189.0	218.0	244.9
Diseases of nervous system and sensory organs	4973.0	5541.9	5826.4
Blood circulation diseases	104.1	103.3	98.4
Respiratory diseases	31178.9	29293.0	27933.1
Diseases of digestive organs	2489.4	2738.3	2862.7
Diseases of urogenital system	764.6	861.0	952.2
Dermal and subcutane o us cellular tissue diseases	2114.8	2367.4	2448.9
Osseous and muscular system and connective tissue diseases	207.2	246.8	294.8
Congenital anomalies (growth defects)	215.9	235.3	235.1
Symptoms, signs and incorrectly diagnosed conditions	204.8	301.0	359.4
Special conditions in perinatal period	522.1	484.4	482.6
Injuries and cases of poisoning	2222.4	2208.4	2343.9
Number of registered diseases, total	51379.9	51460.9	51769.0

Source : Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia .

Table 15Morbidity of children aged 0-14 with mental disorders (without alcoholic psychosis, alcoholism, drug addiction and toxicomania) , 2009-2011 (person s)

	Number of patients with confirmed diagnosis for the first time in their lives	Number of patients registered at medical-prophylactic institutions at the end of the year
Total	Per 100000 residents aged 0-14	Total	Per 100000 resident s aged 0-14
2009	134	22.4	401	67.3
2010	305	51.3	675	113.9
2011	192	32.5	1176	199.8

Source : Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia .

(k)Children with disabilities attending secondary and special schools, and children not attending schools

Table 16Number of students in special general education schools according to direction, 2009-2011(person s)

	2009	2010	2011
Children with speech defects and disorder	259	254	263
Children with hearing impairment	188	170	156
Children with vision impairment	294	410	425
Mentally retarded children	1863	1751	1640
Children with disorders of the musculoskeletal system	67	82	79
Total	2671	2667	2563

Source : Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia .

Annex

Additional information on legislative amendments and supplements with regard to rights of children (2009-2012)

N	Title of law	Date of adoption	Contents
1.	On Making an Amendment to the Law of the Republic of Armenia“On the Rights of the Child” HO-209	Adopted on 18 November 2009	The fourth paragraph of Article 18 of the Law shall be amended as follows: “Dissemination of mass information and literature having negative effect on the health, mental and physical development, education of a child, advocating worship for violence and cruelty, degrading human dignity, discrediting family, leading to offences shall be prohibited.”
2.	Law on Making Amendment to the Family Code of the Republicof Armenia HO-123	Adopted on 19 May 2009	Article 1. Article 110 (3) of the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia of 9 November 2004 shall be amended as follows: 3. Guardianship and curatorship body, except for the Mayor of Yerevan, shall forward information provided for by part 1 and 2 of this Article to marzpetarans [regional governor’s office], within three days following the receipt thereof; as well as shall ensure the placement of the child. The Marzpetaran shall, within three days upon receiving such information regarding children, conduct the registration of children and communicate information thereon to the body authorised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, as well as shall ensure protection of the rights and interests of these children. The Mayor of Yerevan shall, within three days following the receipt of information provided for by part 1 and 2 of this Article; conduct the registration of children and inform the body authorised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia thereon, as well as shall ensure the placement of said children and the protection of their rights and interests. The body authorised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia shall conduct the centralised registration of children left without parental care and shall assist in further placement of these children in families. The procedure for conducting the centralised registration of children left without parental care shall be approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. Article 2. This law shall enter into force on next Monday following the official promulgation of the decision on the election of members of the Yerevan Council of Elders based on the results of the first elections of the Yerevan Council of Elders.
3.	On Making an Amendment to the Law of the Republic of Armenia“On the Rights of the Child” HO-156	Adopted on 25 October 2010	Every child shall have the right to health protection and strengthening. Relevant state bodies shall ensure possibilities for the child to benefit from the health care services free of charge or on preferential conditions, within the framework of specific annual health care programmes.
4.	On Making Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Television and Radio” HO-100	Adopted on 10 June 2010	Article 22. Impermissibility of the abuse of television and radio programmes 1. It is prohibited to use television and radio programmes: (1) for violent seizure of power, for a campaign for violent change and overthrow of the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia; (2) for insemination of national, racial and religious enmity or discord; (3) for propagation of war; (4) for spread of calls for acts which are criminally punishable or forbidden by legislation; (5) for dissemination of pornography; (6) for broadcasting programmes containing or propagating violence and worship of cruelty. Use and presentation of historical and documentary materials may be an exception. 2. Television and radio programmes of erotic nature and films containing horror and explicit violence, as well as programmes with potential negative effect on health, mental and physical development, upbringing of minors, except for subscription broadcasting may be broadcasted at 24.00-6.00. The criteria for determining such programmes shall be prescribed by law. 3. The broadcasting of advertisement and entertaining programmes by television and radio companies on days of mourning announced by the State shall be prohibited. Article 60. FINE ...... 15. Air broadcasting of television and radio service programmes of erotic nature and films containing horror and apparent violence, as well as of programmes having potential negative effect on health, mental and physical development, upbringing of minors outside the time period from 24.00 to 6.00 except for subscription broadcasting — shall entail imposition of a fine in the amount of the 500-fold of the prescribed minimum salary.
5.	On Making a Supplement to the Law of The Republic of Armenia on “Self-Governance” HO-123	Adopted on 16 September 2010	Part 2 of Article 33 of the Law shall be supplemented with part 3.1 which reads as follows: (3.1) shall take actions within its community towards identifying cases of not registering births of children and ensuring state registration thereof, and shall issue written statement on state registration of childbirth in cases and under the procedure prescribed by law.
6.	On Making Amendments and Supplements to the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia HO-46	Adopted on 8 February 2011	Article 1. Article 35 (2) of the Family Code of the Republic of Armenia of 9 November 2004 shall be amended as follows: “2. In case of birth of a child from persons in marriage, as well as within three hundred days after divorce or recognition of marriage as invalid or death of the spouse of mother of the child, the spouse (former spouse) of the mother of the child shall be recognised as the father of the child, unless otherwise proven. Paternity of the spouse (former spouse) of mother of the child shall be confirmed by the state registration of their marriage. Article 2. Article 39(1) of the Code shall be amended as follows: “In accordance with Article 38 of this Code, the note relating to parents made in the state registration book of births may be disputed only through judicial procedure upon the request of the person registered as the father or the mother of the child or, in fact, upon the request of the person deemed to be the father or the mother of the child, of the guardian (curator), of the guardian of the parent declared by the court as having no active legal capacity, of the curator of the parent declared by the court as having limited active legal capacity well as of the child who has reached the age of majority.” Article 3. The first paragraph of Article 41(2) of the Code shall be amended as follows: “Every child shall have the right to live and be brought up in a family, know his or her parents, enjoy their care (as much as possible), live together with them, with the exception of those cases when it may be in contradiction to the interests of the child.” Article 4. Article 46(3) of the Code shall be amended as follows: “3. The name of a child having attained the age of ten may be changed upon the consent of the child, and the surname may be changed having regard to the opinion of the child.”
7.	On Making an Amendment to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Rights of the Child” HO-204	Adopted on 23 May 2011	Article 32. Protection of the rights of the child in special educational institutions or psychiatric establishments Only the court shall send the child to a special educational institution upon the recommendation of the local self-government bodies. A child may be hospitalised to a psychiatric establishment without the consent of the legal representative only upon a court judgement in cases and as prescribed by law. A child staying in special educational or medical and preventive or psychiatric establishments shall have the right to respectful treatment, health protection, relevant education and vocational training, the right to be visited by parents or other legal representatives and other persons and right to correspondence. The task of a special educational institution shall be the correction and re-education.
8.	OnMaking an Amendment and a Supplement to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Television and Radio” HO-327	Adopted on 8 December 2011	Article 5.1. Broadcast of television programmes with sign-interpretation or Armenian subtitles The public Television and Radio Company and those private television companies operating in the Republic of Armenia that broadcast also programmes for children and/or news programmes, shall be obliged to ensure in their programmes accessibility to possible information for deaf and dumb public, broadcast in daily air time at least one programme for children and one news programme with sign-interpretation or Armenian subtitles.
9.	OnMaking Amendments and Supplements to the Code of the Republic of Armenia on Administrative Violations HO-289	Adopted on 30 November 2011	“Article 195.1 Violation of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On state registry of population” 2. Failure by the citizen of the Republic of Armenia, as well as by the legal representative of a person not having attained the age of 16 or declared by the court as having no or limited active legal capacity, to submit to the relevant local register the address of permanent residence (place of stay), as well as other personal registration data required by law, or submission of false data or failure to notify on the new address of permanent residence (place of stay) in case of changing the place of permanent residence (place of stay) by the procedure and within the time limit prescribed by law for the purpose of being included in the State Population Register — shall entail imposition of a fine in the amount of three-fold of the defined minimum salary.
10.	On Making Amendments and Supplements to the Law of the Republic of Armenia on State Pensions HO-110	Adopted on 19 March 2012	“Article 33. Granting a pension 1. A pension shall be granted by the pension granting subdivision upon the written application of the person having the right to pension, and — in case of a minor or a person under guardianship — by his or her legal representative, that is the parent, adopter or guardian, based on the data on the registration address of the person having the right to pension in the Republic of Armenia that are available in the State Population Register of the Republic of Armenia. The person having the right to pension or his or her legal representative shall personally submit the application on granting a pension. A person having attained the age of fourteen, who has the right to pension, may personally submit the application and documents required for granting a pension." Article 12. In Article 35 of the Law: … 3) the first paragraph of part 9 shall be amended as follows: “9. Pension shall be paid also upon the power of attorney given in the Republic of Armenia by the pensioner (in case of a minor or a pensioner under guardianship — by his or her legal representative, that is the parent, adopter or guardian) and certified by a notary public functioning in the Republic of Armenia, where a written application thereon and the power of attorney are submitted to the pension granting subdivision. Pension shall not be paid by the power of attorney granted by way of reauthorisation.” Article 13. In Article 36 of the Law: ……3. In case of death of a pensioner the amount of the unpaid pension shall be paid to the spouse of the deceased or to the minor child aged 14 and more irrespective of the fact of being registered together with the pensioner at the same place (address) as of the day of his or her death, and shall be paid to other member of the family if the latter, based on the data available in the State Population Register of the Republic of Armenia, has been registered together with the pensioner at the same place (address) as of the day of his or her death. Article 15. Article 38 of the Law shall be amended as follows: “Article 38. Recalculation of pension 1. Labour pension shall be recalculated where: (1) the amount of base pension or the value of one year of labour service record has changed as from the 1st day of the given month; (2) after 12 months following the granting (recalculation) of age or disability pension the pensioner has submitted a statement of information on having worked for at least six months after granting (recalculation) of the pension from the 1st day of the month following the month of submission of the application and required documents; (3) the pensioner has submitted additional documents on labour or other activities hereof or of the breadwinner for the period extending prior to the granting (recalculation) of pension as from the 1st day of the month following the month of submission of the application and required documents; (4) the pensioner with the right to receive a disability pension, has — prior to attainment to the age giving the right to age pension — submitted a document on the period of other activities after 12 months following the granting (recalculation) of pension as from the 1st day of the month following the month of submission of the application and required documents. 2. Social pension shall be recalculated where the amount of base pension has changed as from the 1st day of the given month. 3.Military pension shall be recalculated where: (1) there has been a change in the amount of money or food allowance or case pension of military servants as from the 1st day of the given month. (2) the right to receive pension has been reinstated as prescribed by Article 41(3)(6) of this Law taking into account the length of military service of the military servant as from the day of release from last military service and the amount of monthly money and food allowance from the date of reinstatement of the right to receive pension. 4. Pension shall be recalculated also: (1) in case of change in the disability group as from the 1st day of the month following the month of establishment of new disability group; (2) in case of death of the other parent of a child or offspring receiving on-site (full-time) education having the right to pension in case of losing the breadwinner, as from the 1st day of the month following the month of submitting the application and the required documents.
11.	On Making an Amendment and Supplements to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Social Security of Military Servants and Their Family Members” HO-35	Adopted on 19 March 2012	Article 1. In Article 33 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Social Security of Military Servants and their Family Members” of 27 October 1998 (hereinafter referred to as “the Law”): (1) part 4 shall be replaced by the following: “Former military servants receiving military pension for long-term service or disability, persons considered equivalent to military servants pursuant to Article 3 of this Law, as well as family members of military servants deceased (dead) when undergoing the military service shall be provided with medical care as prescribed by this Article.” (2) part 5 shall be added which reads as follows: “For the purposes of this Article, the following persons shall be considered a family member of military servant, as well as of a deceased (dead) military servant: (1) children under the age of 18, or children under the age of 23 engaged in academic studies or recognised as having no active legal capacity, as well as children with disabilities under or having attained the age of 18; where the latter have been declared as persons with disabilities before attaining the age of 18; (2) the parents, the spouse; (3) persons under the custody of the military servant, as well as the deceased (dead) military servant; namely, children under the age of 18 or recognised as having no active legal capacity, or sibling under the age of 23 engaged in academic studies, as well as the siblings with disability below and above the age of 18 being under the custody of deceased (dead) military servant, if they have been declared persons with disabilities before attaining the age of 18; The siblings shall be considered to be under the custody of the military servant, as well as deceased (dead) military servant, in the event their parents have third degree disability, limiting working capacity.” Article 2. In Article 34 of the Law: (1) part 1 (a) shall be supplemented after the word “support” with the following words: “as prescribed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia”, (b) shall be supplemented with a new sentence which reads as follows: “The following persons shall be considered family members of persons referred to in this part: (1) the spouse and children under the age of 18; (2) co-residing offspring declared as having no active legal capacity or student-offspring under the age of 23, as well as co-residing disabled children aged 18 and more, where they have been recognised as persons with disabilities before attaining the age of 18; (3) co-residing parents; (4) siblings who are under the custody of and co-residing with the military servant, as well as the deceased (dead) military servant, have not attained the age of 18 or have been declared as having no active legal capacity or are students under the age of 23, as well as disabled siblings aged 18 and more under the custody of and co-residing with him or her, if they have been recognised as persons with disabilities before attaining the age of 18. Siblings shall be considered as being under the custody of the military servant, as well as of the deceased (dead) military servant, whose parents have a limitation of work capability of third degree.” (2) part 2 shall be supplemented with a new sentence which reads as follows: “Within the meaning of this part the following shall be considered as member of the family of a military servant: (1) the spouse and children under the age of 18; (2) co-residing offspring declared as having no active legal capacity or student-offspring under the age of 23, as well as co-residing disabled children aged 18 and more, where they have been recognised as disabled before attaining the age of 18.”