Testing Virginity as Violence: New Bill Developed by the 'Civil Contract' Party

The newspaper 'Hraparak' reports that a group of women from the National Assembly's 'Civil Contract' faction has proposed a controversial package of bills that will be discussed today in the main committee of the National Assembly. Zaruhi Batoyan, Sona Ghazaryan, and Tsovinar Vardanyan are proposing changes to the law 'On the Prevention of Violence in the Family, Protection of Persons Subjected to Violence in the Family, and Restoration of Family Harmony.'

However, the issue at hand is not the fight against violence, but rather the enshrinement of certain Soros-related terms. The women are suggesting the introduction of the term 'partner,' which effectively provides disguised protection for same-sex individuals.

'Under the existing regulations, the law distinguishes between family members living together and those not cohabiting, which practically creates issues for individuals seeking and obtaining protective measures. Given the system of family relations in Armenia, it is clear that the lack of cohabitation does not always serve as a preventive factor against violence. Therefore, the law should apply to family members regardless of their cohabitation status, and it should also include regulations for partners and former partners,' wrote the government women.

One of the proposals also relates to the prohibition of testing virginity, although the authors do not specify by whom. They consider virginity testing to be a form of violence, stating, 'Section 2 of Part 2 should read as follows: Sexual violence—sexual acts contrary to a person's will, including unwanted touching of a person's sexual organs and body parts, involving a person in sexual acts with a third party, testing virginity, as well as crimes against sexual freedom and sexual inviolability as defined in the RA Criminal Code.'