Today, at the extraordinary session of the National Assembly during the discussion of the draft package of amendments to the “Family Code” and the accompanying laws, Gevorg Gorgisyan, the secretary of the Yelk (Way Out) faction, told Suren Krmoyan, Deputy Justice Minister, that there had been a “fatherhood” formulation besides maternity and childhood, but then it was removed. “Does this mean that we do not need fatherhood anymore? Besides, racial discrimination and so on, are prohibited while choosing a partner. So, by the law, we tell people how to choose a husband or a wife.”
Suren Krmoyan said,”We match these formulations to the Constitution, and it does not mean that fatherhood is omitted. And, speaking about racial discrimination, it also comes from the Constitution. We do not prohibit choice, but discrimination.”
Gevorg Gorgisyan said, “Suppose I am a black man who proposes a woman, and she refuses to marry me. Can I use this law and accuse her of refusing to marry me because of my race?”
“Let me mention that Mr. Gorgisyan says this theoretically. He had proposed at his time and has a family,” added Eduard Sharmazanov, the NA Speaker.
Suren Krmoyan referred to the Constitution, saying, “It is fixed in the Constitution that both men and women, when their marriage time comes, can have a family, based on mutual agreement. In this case the norm does not work. It works only if there is a discrimination out of the family, for example, registration, attitude, etc.”
“This has anti-racism coloring. No, not the thing you said. No to racism,” said Eduard Sharmazanov.