YEREVAN. – At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, the government of Armenia decided to approve the proposal to sign the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

By signing this protocol, the parties consider that the abolition of the death penalty will contribute to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.

The reasoning behind the aforesaid decision states that the ratification of this protocol will enable to further strengthen collaboration between Armenia and the UN human rights agencies, hence, further enhance Armenia’s international standing with respect to human rights.