Armenian music band VO.X on PR defensive to 'justify' homophobia

UPDATE 29 April 2011: VO.X frontrunner Aram Rian has re-edited and replaced the controversial portion of the band’s "I Love Armenia" music video, by removing the reference to homosexuality as “perversion”. We have reached a mutual understanding with the group and consider this matter resolved as dialogue has taken place. We no longer have reason to believe either Aram Rian or VO.X is homophobic, and we wish them success in their future endeavors.
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Facing perhaps much stronger than they would have expected criticism - from broader sections of society, not just LGBT - for their homophobic music video premiered on Armenian TV channels and online last week, VO.X turned into PR defensive (facebook, youtube, interviews with yerevan.ru and bravo.am...).

They removed originally uploaded music video with critical comments (now set as ‘private’), re-uploaded it by disabling the possibility to add comments and amended the video description which now reads:

“This new music video raises some of the undisclosed social issues prevalent in modern-day Armenia. It's about Armenia and concerns Armenia ONLY, not the rest of the world. All the views and ideas expressed through this video are purely and subjectively Orthodox Christian and as such, within Armenia's context, do not violate human rights.”

...and via Bravo.am: “Ես youtube տեսահոլովակ եմ գցում ու հատուկ նշում, որ սա վերաբերում է միայն Հայաստանին:”

Needless to say that these statements cannot stand up to criticism. You cannot have one set of human rights for Armenia, for an internal consumption, and another - for the rest of the world. Even suggesting such a possibility is patronising and demeaning for Armenia. Human rights are universal. And that’s a full stop.

In an interview with Bravo.am, VO.X singer and manager Aram Rian says if something happens to sexual minorities he will be the first to stand up in their defense.

“Հիմա էլ, եթե վաղը բռնության ակտ գրանցվի փոքրամասնությունների դեմ, ես առաջինը կվազեմ , որ իրենց պաշտպանեմ…”

Thank you very much. You incite hatred, wait till something happens and then become a 'hero' defending those who you hurt in the first instance. I do not think so.

Being a homophobe doesn't require courage in Armenia. Fighting for equality and against homophobia does.