Monday 20 August 2018

Open Letter: Over 100 Armenian organizations, prominent persons call for legal reforms to address LGBT community discrimination in Armenia

/for Armenian version - see Unzipped/


Press release (see full text of the Open letter with signatories - below press release)

Armenia: Armenian Organizations, Prominent Persons Call for Legal Reforms to Address LGBT Community Discrimination


Government Must Address Climate of Impunity, Intolerance, Inequality

(New York City, August 20, 2018) — Over 100 Armenian organizations and prominent individuals today issued a public letter to the Armenian government as well as Armenian political parties, international organizations and churches calling on them to condemn the recent attacks against Armenian LGBT activists and to promote legislative and policy changes to grant equality and end discrimination against LGBT persons in Armenia.

“The Armenian government urgently must address the policies, laws and social climate that foster intolerance and violence against the LGBT community of Armenia,” said writer Nancy Kricorian. “Without a clear plan for legislative reform and education, the Armenian government will have failed in its duty to protect the LGBT community from violence and discrimination and to grant them basic human rights guarantees.”

The letter to the government followed in the wake of the recent violent attack on nine people, among them LGBT activists, in the village of Shurnukh in the Syunik region of Armenia on 3 August. The attack reflects a disturbing and persistent pattern of hatred and discrimination against the Armenian LGBT community. Reportedly, the police launched an investigation, questioned the victims and detained several suspected attackers on 3 August, releasing them the next day, but apparently have not brought charges against anyone.

“It is particularly disturbing that at least one member of parliament, Gevorg Petrosyan, from the Tsarukyan Faction, called for the expulsion of LGBT persons from Armenia on his Facebook page,” said Sarkis Balkhian, human and refugee rights advocate in Yerevan. “While the statement of the Office of the Human Rights Defender was a welcome gesture, the condemnation was tame and insufficient.”

The law in Armenia fails to provide equal rights to LGBT persons in Armenia (see statement from Amnesty International). Armenian law does not prohibit discrimination against LGBT individuals in employment, housing, or social benefits, nor does it sanction as hate crimes attacks against LGBT persons.

The letter detailed its call to the Armenian government to:

· establish an agenda and timetable for legislative reform to grant LGBT persons in Armenia equality under the law;

· propose a plan to promote tolerance and respect throughout society for LGBT persons, including through the issuance of public statements and the establishment of a public education program;

· issue a statement condemning all attacks against LGBT persons and a commitment to investigating and punishing perpetrators and providing protection for LGBT persons.

It called on Armenian political parties to express their support for such a reform agenda and plan, and to issue their own condemnations of attacks against the LGBT community. It also called on international Armenian organizations, including Armenian churches of all denominations, to express their support for such a reform agenda and plan, and to issue their own condemnations of attacks against the LGBT community. Armenian voters and supporters of international organizations deserve to know where their parties and organizations stand on these issues.

“The new government of Armenia has brought hope for true reform to address issues of transparency, fairness, and equality and reforms in the LGBT arena should be part of this promise for a new age,” said Nancy Kricorian. “Outdated and false justifications based on ‘religion’, ‘culture’ and ‘values’ can no longer cover for hatred, violence and intolerance against Armenian LGBT persons.”


***
Open Letter to the Armenian Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, Minister of Justice, Minister of Diaspora, Armenian political parties, and global Armenian organizations

August 2018

The recent attack on nine people, among them LGBT activists, in the village of Shurnukh in the Syunik region of Armenia reflects a disturbing and persistent pattern of hatred and discrimination against the Armenian LGBT community.

Reportedly, the police have launched an investigation, questioned the victims and detained several suspected attackers on 3 August, releasing them the next day, but apparently have not brought charges against anyone. It is particularly disturbing that at least one member of parliament, Gevorg Petrosyan, from the Tsarukyan Faction, called for the expulsion of LGBT persons from Armenia on his Facebook page. While the statement of the Office of the Human Rights Defender was a welcome gesture, alone it is insufficient.

The Armenian government urgently must address the policies, laws and social and political climate that continue to foster intolerance and violence against the LGBT and other vulnerable communities of Armenia. Without a clear plan for legislative and policy reform and education, such attacks will continue and the Armenian government will have failed to protect the LGBT community from violence and discrimination.

The law in Armenia fails to provide equal rights to LGBT persons in Armenia (see statement from Amnesty International). Armenian law does not prohibit discrimination against LGBT individuals in employment, housing, or social benefits, nor does it sanction as hate crimes attacks against LGBT persons. The new government of Armenia has brought hope to many around the world that there will be true reform in the country to address issues of transparency, fairness, and equality. Reforms in the LGBT arena should be part of this promise for a new age. Outdated and false justifications based on “religion”, “culture” and “values” can no longer cover for hatred, violence and intolerance against Armenian LGBT persons.

We call on the Armenian government:

  • to establish an agenda and timetable for legislative reform to grant LGBT persons in Armenia equality under the law;
  • to propose a plan to promote tolerance and respect throughout society for LGBT persons, including through the issuance of public statements and the establishment of a public education program;
  • to issue a statement condemning all attacks against LGBT persons and a commitment to investigating and punishing perpetrators and providing protection for LGBT persons.

We call on Armenian political parties to clearly express their support for such a reform agenda and plan, and to issue their own condemnations of attacks against the LGBT community. Every Armenian voter is entitled to know where each party stands on these issues.

We call on international Armenian organizations, including Armenian churches of all denominations, to clearly express their support for such a reform agenda and plan, and to issue their own condemnations of attacks against the LGBT community. Every Armenian around the world who supports these organizations deserves to know where they stand on these issues.

Signatories:

Organizations:

Armenian Progressive Youth NGO (Armenia)

Association Hyestart (Switzerland)

Charjoum (France)

Collectif de Soutien aux Militants Arméniens Jugés à Paris (France)

GALAS (Gay and Lesbian Armenian Society) (U.S.)

Nor Zartonk (Turkey)

PINK Armenia (Armenia)

Women’s Resource Center (Armenia)

Women’s Support Center (Armenia)

Individuals:

Lena Adishian; Nancy Agabian; Liana Aghajanian; Lara Aharonian; Areg Anjargolyan; Michelle Andonian; Michael Aram; Nora Armani; Sophia Armen; Mika Artyan; Sevag Arzoumanian; Sebouh Aslanian; Anna Astvatsaturian-Turcotte; Dr. Arlene Voski Avakian; Sona Avakian; Manuk Avedikyan; Leslie Ayvazian; Dr. Art Babayants; Miganouche Lucy Baghramian; Sarkis Balkhian; David Barsamian; Anthony J. Barsamian; Nanore Barsoumian; Houri Berberian; Vahe Berberian; Paul Boghossian, FAAAS; Eric Bogosian; Chris Bohjalian; Haig Boyadjian; Deanne Cachoian-Schanz; Hovig Cancioglu; Talar Chahinian; Patricia Constantinian; Sylvia Dakessian; Tad Demir; Andrew Demirjian; Adrineh Der-Boghossian; Silvina Der Meguerditchian; Ani Eblighatian; Lerna Ekmekcioglu; Dahlia Elsayed; Ayda Erbal; Shant Fabricatorian; Linda Ganjian; Lenna Garibian; Houry Geudelekian; Yeriche Gorizian; Rachel Goshgarian; Viken Gueyikian; Dr. Kaiane Habeshian; Maral Habeshian; Avedis Hadjian; Nonny Hogrogian; Mamikon Hovsepyan; Rafi Hovsepyan; Tamar Hovsepian; Arminé Iknadossian; Asthghik Iknatian, MS, CRC, LCPC; Dr. Armine Ishkanian; Rupen Janbazian; Audrey Kalajian; Makrouhi Kalayjian; Ani Kasparian; Nina Katchadourian; Olivia Katrandjian; Nora Kayserian; Nishan Kazazian, AIA; Alice A. Kelikian; Shushan Kerovpyan; Virginia Pattie Kerovpyan; Vivan Kessedjian; Amy L. Keyishian; Harry Keyishian; Michelle Khazaryan; Kyle Khandikian; David Kherdian; Anna Spano Kirkorian; Taline Kochayan; H. Lola Koundakjian; Nancy Kricorian; Susan Kricorian; Anaid Krikorian; Stephanie Kundakjian; Marc Mamigonian; Shahe Mankerian; Christina Maranci; Elodie Mariani; Jeannie Markarian; Armen Marsoobian; Alina Martiros; Maro Matosian; Anna Mehrabyan; Markar Melkonian; Astghik Melkonyan; Sonia Merian; Ara H. Merjian; Takouhie Mgrditchian; Oksana Mirzoyan; Tro Momajian; Mark A. Momjian, Esqu.; Rachel O. Nadjarian; Carolann S. Najarian, MD; Arthur Nersesian; Marc Nichanian; FIlor Nighoghosian; Aline Ohanesian; Dr. Janice Dzovinar Okoomian; Norayr Olgar; Sevana Panosian; Hrag Papazian; Susan Pattie; Natalie Samarjian; Karineh Samkian; Caroline Saradjian; Alex Sardar; Nelli Sargsyan; Aram Saroyan; Judith Saryan; Audrey Selian; Elyse Semerdjian; Anna Shahnazaryan; Lori A. Sinanian; Thomas Stepanian; Vahe Tachjian; Anoush F. Terjanian; Dr. Anita Toutikian; Scout Tufankjian; Anahid Ugurlayan; Hrag Vartanian; Dr. Nicole Vartanian; Armen Voskeridjian, MD; Chaghig Minassian Walker; Raffi Joe Wartanian; Sarah Leah Whitson; Anahid Yahjian; Laura Yardumian; Grigor Yeritsyan; Michael Zadoorian; Laura Zarougian; Lena Zinner, UCSD ‘18

Saturday 4 August 2018

Hate crime: chasing, beating, stoning, insulting - LGBT activists attacked in Shurnukh village, Syunik region, Armenia


Last night, a mob of around 30 or so people surrounded the private house in Shurnukh village (Syunik region, Armenia) where 9 LGBT activists gathered, and then attacked activists by chasing them along the highway, insulting, beating and stoning them.
Via PINK Armenia FB page:

BREAKING: Today, on the 3rd of August, around 20:00, in Shurnukh village, Syunik region, more than 30 people attacked 9 LGBT activists and beat them. As a result, 2 of them were hospitalized with different corporal injuries. Others 7, who had minor corporal injuries, are currently in the police station. The police arrived to the place of crime around 21:30, more than an hour after the activists have called them. Representatives of PINK Armenia went to Goris. The Ombudsman representatives also went there. We will provide updates if there are any news. 
We are calling upon the police officers of Goris Police firstly to ensure the safety and security of the activists, as well as undertake the appropriate measures to find and prosecute the perpetrators.

UPDATE 23:00 - 7 people, who had minor corporal injuries, are now being taken to hospital for medical check. 

UPDATE - Ombudsman's office told, that they are in contact with law enforcement in Goris. None of them went there. For more updates (AM) - here
Apparently, some of the main attackers knew 2 of the present LGBT activists and insulted them with the hate speech few months ago in Goris too, but police did not act on it back then.
«Մենք բոլորս մտածում էինք, որ չենք ապրի էլ։ Եթե ինչ-որ մեկը ընկներ, այնտեղ էլ կմնար», — Epress.am-ին դեպքի մանրամասները պատմել է տուժած իրավապաշտպան, ակտիվիստ Էլվիրա Մելիքսեթյանը, որն այդ պահին նա գտնվում էր  ոստիկանության ավտոմեքենայում։ Երիտասարդները օգոստոսի 2-ին ժամանել էին իրենց ընկերոջ՝ նույն գյուղի բնակիչ Արամի (անունը փոխված է-խմբ.) տուն։ Այսօր՝ ժամեր առաջ, երիտասարդներին են այցելել երկու տղամարդ։ Նրանք դեռ ամիսներ առաջ Գորիս քաղաքում հարձակվել էին Էլվիրայի և Արամի վրա։ «Այդ ժամանակ ԼԳԲՏ-ի հետ կապված ատելության խոսքեր ասացին։ Բացի դրանից՝ Արամի՝ Թուրքիա այցելելու հետ կապված բաներ ասացին։ Ասել էին՝ դու էն Թուրքիայի շուռնուխեցի՞ն չես», — դեռ այդ ժամանակ Էլվիրան և Արամը դիմել են ոստիկանություն, մի ամբողջ օր այնտեղ էին անցկացրել, սակայն ոչ մի մեղադրյալ չէր գտնվել։ Այսօր` 20:00-ի սահմաններում, այդ մարդիկ նորից այցելել են Էլվիրային և Արամին։ «Կանչեցին Արամին զրույցի։ Մենք իրան ասացինք, որ խոսալու բան չկա, սակայն նա ներխուժել է տուն։ Քֆուր բան տվեց։ Հետո եկան Արամի բարեկամները, նրան դուրս հանեցին, որ հասկանան՝ ինչ է կատարվում։ Այդ ժամանակ շարունակում էին մեզ քֆուր տալ։ Ասում էին՝ դուրս եկեք էստեղից, մի հատ նայեք ձեր տեսքին ու հագածին, ես չեմ ուզում իմ ընտանիքը տեսնի ձեզ։ Ոնց հասկանում էի՝ ողջ գյուղն էր հավաքվել մոտ 40 հոգի, տղամարդիկ և կանայք, դեռահասներ և երեխաներ։ Հետո Արամի ախպոր դաբռոյով, կարծես, մեզ տնից հանեցին։ Մենք ճամպրուկախառը հայտնվեցինք տռասայի վրա։ Այդտեղ դիք էր։ Մեզ դիքից ուղղակի շպռտեցին, սիլաներով, քարերով, մեր երեխեքից երկուսի գլուխը ջարդված ա»։
What kind of dark ages these people live in? Violence became a norm that is not just tolerated but also encouraged by some especially against anyone who is different or perceived LGBT.

Unfortunately, Velvet Revolution government has so far been silent re LGBT discrimination, and this sends a wrong signal that anti-LGBT attacks could be tolerated. They should send a very strong message that no violence, no human rights abuses, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity will be acceptable in New Armenia.

Instead, no single minister up to now used the wording “LGBT” or “նույնասեռական”, even when responding to LGBT related question. Even human rights ombudsman’s office on their FB page vaguely referred to what happened in Shurnukh as ‘incident in Shurnukh’ without further elaboration as to what this ‘incident’ was about.

Until this situation changes, all those key government messages - spearheaded by PM Nikol Pashinyan - asking Armenians to return to Armenia will remain shallow and unconvincing.

No wonder during a recent town-hall meeting in LA with the minister of Diaspora, GALAS member Nikole Yeghiazarian asked the minister what the new administration’s plans are for making sure LGBT Armenians are safe in Armenia:
“One day I would like to move back to Armenia, but for people like me it is not necessarily safe to move back to Armenia. So my question for you is what will the ministry of diaspora do to make Armenia safe for LGBT Armenians who want to go back and visit and hope to one day live in Armenia?”
Via equality_armenia:

Kudos to @galas_la member Nicole Yeghiazarian @anam0t for asking Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora @mkhitarhayrapetyan what the new administration’s plans are for making sure LGBT Armenians are safe in Armenia.

Although the Minister’s answer was not specific, in essence he said that they’re working towards creating Armenia where “...all human rights are protected”.
You can see this question and answer on this video, starting 1:15:00

Selected comments on Twitter:

Monica Ellena, editor of Chai Khana:
Between 2011 and 2013 alone 5,891 #LGBT people left #Armenia according to data collected by @pinkarmenia. As a mob of 30 people assaulted nine activists it is not surprising the community feels under attack. #HumanRights
Giorgi Gogia, Associate director, Europe and Central Asia Division, Human Rights Watch :
Disturbing reports about #hatecrime attack against 9 LGBT activists in #Armenia's Syunik region, several injured. "It seemed that we wouldn't survive," says one of the activists. Prompt & thorough investigation needed!
Maxim Eristavi, jounalist, human rights activist:
Shocked by this barbaric anti-LGBT hate crime in Armenia, brutal even by the country's placing as one of the most homophobic places in Europe. Hold on, guys

Thursday 2 August 2018

“Թող միշտ պանծա Հայաստան” - Mamikon Hovsepyan of PINK Armenia recipient of Soul of Stonewall award at CSD Pride event in Berlin and Changemaker award by LA based Diaspora Armenian LGBT group GALAS


Stephan Cooper of Queer Amnesty group within the Amnesty International in Germany presented the award during a ceremony at famous Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride event in Berlin on 28 July. 

Soul of the Stonewall Award 2018 in the telling category Resistance was awarded for the fifth time, with previous recipients coming from Nigeria, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Kenya.


Presenting the award to Mamikon Hovsepyan of PINK Armenia, Stephan mentioned current changes in Armenia [re: Velvet Revolution]. He touched upon history of Armenia, including 1915 Genocide, and even amusingly cited a line of the National Anthem of Armenia (Lass Armenien stehts ehrenvoll sein - Թող միշտ պանծա Հայաստան).

It’s a 3rd award in less than a year that Mamikon received, starting with the Bob Hepple Equality Award 2017 in London.

As Stephan mentioned, for more than a decade Mamikon has been active in the field of human rights – fighting for free and equal Armenia.

Intolerance, lack of justice, families not accepting their LGBT children, homophobic speeches from members of the parliament and representatives of the mayor office - these are just a few examples of what LGBT Armenians routinely face in their daily life, as noted during presentation of the award.

You can see event and Mamikon’s acceptance speech on this video starting around 1:47:00.


As per Stephan, back in 2002 Mamikon went to USA with the initial intention to stay there. But he changed his mind and returned to Armenia with the understanding that he can change his own country only if he himself participates in this change.

No wonder a month ago in LA he received a Changemaker award by the most prominent Armenian Diaspora LGBT group - Gay and Lesbian Armenian Society (GALAS), that marks its 20th anniversary this year.
Over 180 guests gathered for the  (GALAS) 20th anniversary on June 2nd in Glendale, California. Members of Armenian LGBTQ community were surrounded by friends and family for a special, intimate evening marking two decades of empowering LGBTQ individuals of Armenian descent.
Gevorg Khudyan, member of GALAS, presented the Changemaker Award, and along with his husband Karo Margaryan also donated 12K USD to PINK Armenia for organisation’s office rent and utilities.


In all his acceptance speeches, Mamikon repeatedly states that Armenia has a potential to be one of the best countries where human rights are protected. This is especially true after the Velvet Revolution of April-May 2018, also known as a Revolution of Love and Solidarity.


Says Mamikon Hovsepyan on the occasion of 20th anniversary of GALAS:
“1998, the year when Galas was founded and I was a 16 years old guy struggling with my sexuality in a very conservative city of Armenia – Gyumri. 5 years later I already had the courage to take part in changemaking processes. […] That was the time I started to overcome my fears and since then nothing can stop me to fight against the regime, to protect the community that I belong to, to raise the voice of voiceless, to fight for justice, equality and dignity. […] And today is the best day for all of us to celebrate our achievements, because we are creating the future for Armenia, the future of love and solidarity!”
I am so happy and proud that finally Armenian LGBT activists getting international recognition they deserved. Of course, as frequently the case, such formal recognition comes from the outside of their home country. Here is hoping that eventually the Velvet Revolution, that happened in Armenia with the active participation of LGBT Armenians too, will fully recognise and respect the rights of its citizens. And I am not referring here to medals or awards, but the concept of human rights for all, that was pledged by prime minister Nikol Pashinyan.

*pictures via @Khaghaghordyan and PINK Armenia