Proposal to Prohibit Recognition of Paternity by Non-Biological Parents in Armenia

In Armenia, it is necessary to prohibit the recognition of a child's paternity by a person who is not their biological parent. This was stated today by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Tatevik Stepanyan, during a discussion on a package of bills regarding amendments and supplements to the "Family Code" in the National Assembly.

"We have defined the concept of bullying against children. It has also been established that state and local self-government bodies, as well as their organizations, will undertake response and preventive measures to prevent and detect bullying, and to protect children who are victims of or under threat of bullying," said Stepanyan.

The legislative package proposes that every child will have the right to a periodic review of alternative care forms, as well as the right to make decisions regarding their designation or implementation, taking into account their opinion and best interests.

It is also suggested to prohibit the recognition of a child's paternity by a person who is not their biological parent. "The age limitation for considering the child's opinion has been removed. According to current legislation, we must consider the opinion of a child who has turned 10 years old. However, it is completely incomprehensible why a 9-year-old child cannot express their opinion when decisions are made regarding them," noted the government representative.

The draft defines the child's right to freely express their opinions, which should be taken into account based on their age and maturity level during discussions of issues related to them, as well as during decision-making processes. Furthermore, when listening to the child's opinion, the competent authority must involve a child psychologist or social worker.

"While ensuring the child's right to be heard, their opinion cannot be used or interpreted to the detriment of their best interests," emphasized the deputy minister.

The package also specifies the procedure for receiving alimony in a non-cash manner. According to the legislative package, the child's participation in the adoption process will no longer be mandatory. The current provision requires the mandatory presence of children over 14 years old in court.