The Armenian National Assembly, by a vote of 79 to 12, today ratified the The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. 

Prior to the vote, Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) MP Grigor Petrosyan took the podium.

"We, who have no intention of blaming anyone for this, reaffirm our fear that the Convention contains provisions that reasonably threaten the interests of the upbringing of children. Today, there was a civil action at the entrance of Demirchyan Street in the parliament. We have received many calls from the Armenian Apostolic Church, and everyone is against this convention. We stick to our position that it is not in the real interests of children's rights,” Petrosyan said.

Lilit Makunts, leader of the My Step faction, responded that Petrosyan's words could give the impression that the PAP was against the convention from the very beginning.

"I would like to remind you that the voting at the sitting of the commission, according to which all the factions, including the opposition, voted in favor. I am sorry if some people are able to influence your position, but this convention is in the interests of children, it will prevent child molestation in Armenia, and, of course, we will vote for it,” Makunts said.

The Bright Armenia faction has boycotted the parliament following the May 8 fracas in the legislative chamber.

The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse has been signed by 47 countries and entered into force in 44 countries. The Republic of Armenia signed the Convention on September 29, 2010.