The Armenian government has proposed legislative amendments aimed at improving the asylum and refugee protection system. The changes include revisions and additions to several laws to align them with international standards. Specifically, these amendments pertain to the “Law on Refugees and Asylum,” the “Law on Foreigners,” the Criminal Code, the “Law on State Duties,” and other legal acts, Armenpress reports.

As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and other international documents, Armenia has committed to developing its legal framework in compliance with global standards. Existing legal gaps hinder the full protection of refugees and asylum seekers, prompting these proposed reforms.

Studies conducted with the support of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and European guidelines have highlighted the need to address new challenges.

The proposed changes will clarify the definitions of “refugee,” “asylum,” “persecution,” and “non-refoulement.” New statuses will be introduced for those receiving subsidiary protection and benefiting from the principle of non-refoulement. Mechanisms for providing fair and needs-based social support to individuals with special needs will also be established, alongside monitoring tools.

The asylum application process will become more efficient, offering free legal assistance at all stages. Personal data protection will be regulated, and the procedures for submitting, reviewing, and validating applications will be clarified. Electronic tools will also be introduced to streamline the process for asylum seekers. Deportation will be prohibited for individuals with health issues and other vulnerable groups. The new system will provide short-term travel documents as well.

These reforms aim to enhance the refugee and asylum seeker protection system, ensuring more transparent, predictable, and harmonized procedures in line with European standards.