Trigger Warning: This article describes details of domestic violence, which some readers may find distressing.
About
Hasmik Khachatryan’s case has become a landmark in the fight against domestic violence in Armenia. After enduring years of severe abuse at the hands of her husband, Hasmik’s journey through a broken legal system and her fight for justice would ultimately take her all the way to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Her story is one of resilience in the face of violence, institutional indifference, and a lack of legal protections—yet it is also one of triumph, as Hasmik’s determination helped to shine a light on the systemic failures that allow such abuse to persist.
Written by
Ani Jilozian, Director of Development at Women’s Support Center1
Hasmik’s Fight for Justice
From the very beginning of her marriage, Hasmik was subjected to physical, psychological, and economic abuse. Her husband’s violence escalated over time, culminating in a series of brutal attacks in May and June of 2013. In early May 2013, during one particularly harrowing episode, he punched Hasmik and hit her in the head, knocking her to the ground. He continued to assault her by kicking and hitting her with a broken chair. As the blows rained down, Hasmik lost consciousness from the shock and pain. She regained consciousness only to find herself still under attack, enduring further blows. The injuries she sustained included a concussion and numerous wounds across her body.
At the end of May 2013, the abuse escalated again. This time, her husband pressed a burning cigarette onto Hasmik’s left forearm, threatening to gouge out her eyes if he suspected her of infidelity. Her husband’s sister, a nurse, often covered up Hasmik’s injuries at the clinic, attributing them to falls. Police were reluctant to intervene, fearing the superstitions surrounding Hasmik’s mother-in-law, a renowned fortune-teller. When Hasmik would flee to her maternal home, her husband would forcibly remove her and bring her back to their household.
By June 2013, the violence had reached a new level of cruelty. He struck her in the right ear, knocked her down, and continued to severely beat and kick her face and body. In a desperate attempt to escape, Hasmik fled the home and remained outside for hours, seeking refuge in her village. Fearing further violence, she hid in bushes in freezing temperatures until her parents eventually found her and took her to their home for the night.
It was during this desperate time that Hasmik sought the assistance of the Women’s Support Center (WSC). The WSC provided a safe refuge where Hasmik could begin to heal both physically and emotionally. Beyond offering her shelter, the Center became her pillar of support, providing critical counseling and legal aid. The WSC also guided her through the complexities of her criminal case and the emotionally draining child custody battle that would follow.
In July 2013, after repeated attempts to seek justice, criminal proceedings were initiated against Hasmik’s husband. A forensic examination revealed the extent of her injuries, including a concussion, a fractured nose, head trauma, a ruptured eardrum, and multiple bruises inflicted with blunt objects. A subsequent examination documented additional injuries to her head, wrist, and leg, further confirming the brutality of the violence. Yet, despite the clear evidence of abuse, the authorities remained indifferent, failing to take meaningful action to protect her.
The legal battle was a relentless uphill struggle. In October 2013, Hasmik was confronted by her abuser, who insulted and threatened her during an official cross-examination. Despite her request to transfer the investigation for her safety, the authorities took no protective measures. Later that same year, in November, he assaulted her once again, this time near their daughter’s school. Shockingly, the police refused to open a new criminal case.
Ultimately, Hasmik’s husband was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison, but was released under an amnesty law in October 2013, a decision that left Hasmik exposed to further danger. She filed multiple motions to keep him in detention due to his continued threats, but each was denied. Her civil claim seeking compensation for the physical and emotional harm she suffered was also dismissed, with the Court of Appeals upholding the original decision.
Throughout this challenging and exhausting process, the WSC continued to stand by Hasmik. Their unwavering support ensured Hasmik’s perseverance despite the systemic failures she faced at every turn.
As she continued to fight for justice, Hasmik also began to emerge as a powerful spokesperson in the movement against domestic violence. She shared her story to inspire change, calling for justice for all survivors. Her courage and advocacy earned her the Woman of Courage Award from the international community in Armenia.
In 2017, during debates on Armenia’s domestic violence law, Hasmik gave a powerful presentation in parliament, advocating for victims of abuse and urging lawmakers to take action.
With the WSC’s ongoing support, Hasmik eventually took her case to the ECHR, seeking justice for the years of abuse and the failure of Armenian authorities to protect her. In December 2024, the ECHR ruled in her favor, finding that Armenia had violated her fundamental human rights, specifically her right to be free from inhuman and degrading treatment (Article 3) and her right to non-discrimination (Article 14).2 The court condemned the state’s failure to protect Hasmik from domestic violence and criticised the lack of adequate legal protections for survivors of gender-based violence. In response, Armenia was ordered to pay Hasmik €24,000 in compensation for her suffering and €2,000 in legal costs.
The impact of Hasmik’s case goes far beyond the courtroom. It has sparked vital discussions about the inadequacy of Armenia’s legal framework regarding domestic violence and the urgent need for reforms. At the time of her case, there was no specific domestic violence law in Armenia, but since then, significant strides have been made. However, while there are commendable changes to the legal framework, much remains to be done to ensure that these laws are properly implemented. Domestic violence must be recognized as the grave crime it truly is, and only through consistent enforcement and societal shifts in perception will survivors receive the justice and protection they deserve.
Hasmik’s bravery in coming forward has not only empowered other survivors to seek justice but has also challenged societal attitudes toward gender-based violence. Her case serves as a reminder that, with the right support, survivors can find the strength to reclaim their lives and fight for a safer, more just society.
- https://www.womensupportcenter.org/ ↩︎
- https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-238376%22]} ↩︎
