Violence Domestic
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Assessment of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Laws, Policies, & Practices in Central & Eastern Europe & the Former Soviet Union 2016 Changing the world for good. Assessment of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Laws, Policies, & Practices in Central & Eastern Europe & the Former Soviet Union February 2016 ABOUT THE ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS The mission of The Advocates for Human Rights is to implement international human rights standards to promote civil society and reinforce the rule of law. By involving volunteers in research, education, and advocacy, we build broad constituencies in the United States and select global communities. The Advocates for Human Rights investigates and exposes human rights violations and abuses internationally and in the United States; represents immigrants and refugees who are victims of human rights violations and abuses; trains and assists groups to protect human rights; and works through research, education, and advocacy to engage the public, policy makers, and children in understanding human rights. The Advocates for Human Rights was founded in 1983 by a group of Minnesotans who recognized the community’s unique spirit of social justice as an opportunity to promote and protect human rights in the United States and around the world. Today, The Advocates has produced more than 75 reports documenting human rights practices and policy recommendations and works with partners overseas and in the United States to restore and protect human rights. The Advocates for Human Rights holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations. The Advocates for Human Rights 330 Second Avenue South, Suite 800 Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA 612‐341‐3302 [email protected] www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org ©2016 The Advocates for Human Rights All rights reserved. Published 2016. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was authored by The Advocates for Human Rights at the request of the Oak Foundation. Special thanks to the Oak Foundation, Open Society Institute and Sigrid Rausing Trust for providing the financial support to produce this report Many thanks to The Advocates for Human Rights’ staff for their research, writing and editing contributions, as well as the many interns and volunteers who worked on this report. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents List of Main Acronyms ................................................................................................................. 11 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 12 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 14 ALBANIA .................................................................................................................................... 17 Legal Landscape and Developments ........................................................................................ 17 Government Will ...................................................................................................................... 20 Acceptance of UPR Recommendations .............................................................................................. 20 Mechanisms for Government Accountability ........................................................................... 21 ECHR/CEDAW Cases and Implementation ....................................................................................... 23 Concluding Observations – Treaty Body Reviews ............................................................................. 23 Strength of Civil Society ........................................................................................................... 24 Women’s Rights Organizations .......................................................................................................... 24 Monitoring Reports ............................................................................................................................. 24 Current Status of Efforts to Eliminate Violence against Women ............................................. 25 ARMENIA ................................................................................................................................... 27 Legal Landscape and Developments ........................................................................................ 27 Government Will ...................................................................................................................... 27 Acceptance of UPR Recommendations .............................................................................................. 27 Mechanisms for Government Accountability ........................................................................... 29 ECHR Cases/CEDAW and Implementation ....................................................................................... 29 Concluding Observations – Treaty Body Reviews ............................................................................. 29 Strength of Civil Society ........................................................................................................... 30 Women’s Rights Organizations .......................................................................................................... 30 Monitoring Reports ............................................................................................................................. 30 Current Status of Efforts to Eliminate Violence against Women ............................................. 31 AZERBAIJAN............................................................................................................................. 32 Legal Landscape and Developments ........................................................................................ 32 Government Will ...................................................................................................................... 32 Acceptance of UPR Recommendations .............................................................................................. 32 Mechanisms for Government Accountability ........................................................................... 33 ECHR Cases/CEDAW and Implementation ....................................................................................... 33 Concluding Observations – Treaty Body Reviews ............................................................................. 34 Strength of Civil Society ........................................................................................................... 34 Women’s Rights Organizations .......................................................................................................... 35 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Monitoring Report .............................................................................................................................. 35 Current Status of Efforts to Eliminate Violence against Women ............................................. 35 BELARUS .................................................................................................................................... 37 Legal Landscape and Developments ........................................................................................ 37 Government Will ...................................................................................................................... 38 Acceptance of UPR Recommendations .............................................................................................. 38 Mechanisms for Government Accountability ........................................................................... 39 ECHR/CEDAW Cases and Implementation ....................................................................................... 39 Concluding Observations – Treaty Body Reviews ............................................................................. 39 Strength of Civil Society ........................................................................................................... 40 Women’s Rights Organizations .......................................................................................................... 40 Monitoring Report .............................................................................................................................. 40 Current Status of Efforts to Eliminate Violence against Women ............................................. 40 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA .............................................................................................. 42 Legal Landscape and Developments ........................................................................................ 42 Government Will ...................................................................................................................... 45 Acceptance of UPR Recommendations .............................................................................................. 45 Other Factors: Natural Disasters ......................................................................................................... 47 Mechanisms for Government Accountability ........................................................................... 47 ECHR/CEDAW Cases and Implementation ....................................................................................... 48 Concluding Observations – Treaty Body Reviews ............................................................................. 48 Strength of Civil Society ..........................................................................................................