Armenia and Orlando

Armenia president Serj Sargsyan strongly condemns “horrendous manifestation of intolerance” and “any expression of hatred”. At least, this is how he formulated his reaction to Orlando in a letter of condolences to the US president Obama following attack on LGBT club Pulse.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the United States Barack Obama on a horrible terrorist act which took place at a club in Orlando, claiming several dozens of innocent lives and wounded. The President of Armenia strongly condemned this horrendous manifestation of intolerance and underscored that the misfortune, that has befallen the friendly American people, proves once again that any expression of hatred is still a serious challenge to the humanity and it is our shared responsibility and mission to address them.

ՑԱՎԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ ՍԵՐԺ ՍԱՐԳՍՅԱՆԸ ՑԱՎԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՀԵՌԱԳԻՐ Է ՀՂԵԼ ԱՄՆ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ ԲԱՐԱՔ ՕԲԱՄԱՅԻՆ 13.06.2016 Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը ցավակցական հեռագիր է հղել Ամերիկայի Միացյալ Նահանգների Նախագահ Բարաք Օբամային՝ Օռլանդո քաղաքի ակումբում տեղի ունեցած սահմռկեցուցիչ ահաբեկչության կապակցությամբ, որի հետևանքով զոհվել և վիրավորվել են մի քանի տասնյակ անմեղ մարդիկ: Հանրապետության Նախագահը խստորեն դատապարտել է անհանդուրժողականության այս զարհուրելի երևույթը և ընդգծել, որ բարեկամ ամերիկացի ժողովրդին պատուհասած այդ դժբախտությունը կրկին ապացուցեց, որ ատելության բոլոր դրսևորումները, որոնց հաղթահարումը բոլորի հավաքական պարտքն ու առաքելությունն է, նույնիսկ 21-րդ դարում շարունակում են մնալ լրջագույն մարտահրավեր մարդկության համար:

4 years ago his party spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov (currently deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament) endorsed firebombers of gay friendly DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan.

“All those who are trying to protect homosexuals, who are perverting our society, are defaming the Armenian national identity. As an Armenian citizen and member of a national-conservative party, I find the rebellion of the two young Armenian people against the homosexuals, who have created a den of perversion in our country and have a goal of alienating the society from its moral values, completely right and justified. And those human rights defenders, who are trying to earn cheap dividends from this incident, I urge them first and foremost to protect the national and universal values”, said Eduard Sharmazanov.

He echoed his colleague, MP from ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan (currently minister of economy) who justified the attack towards LGBT friendly bar, saying the firebombers acted in accordance with the "context of our societal & national ideology, in the right way”. It was then revealed that Armenian MPs from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan and Hrayr Karapetyan bailed out one of the detained arsonists, while the other one was released on signature that he won’t leave the country.

DIY firebombers were effectively pardoned. They got conditional sentencing and a symbolic fine.

And now Armenia president condemns Orlando using pretty strong wording, albeit without the mention of “LGBT”. A change of heart or simply a hypocrisy directed at outside world? How genuine Armenia president was when condemning Orlando would be determined by whether his regime would indeed crack down on anti-LGBT hatred inside Armenia.

Following Orlando, a significant proportion of users (not just trolls) on Armenian social networks, particularly the Armenian segment of Facebook, either kept silence or could not resist their ‘happiness’ at killing of LGBT people.

They were effectively proclaiming the killer a hero. These are the same people who change their profile pictures demanding the world to recognise the Armenian Genocide. These are the same people who were outraged when an axe murderer of Armenian was pardoned by Azeri president and turned into a ‘national hero’.

One of the organisers of Orlando solidarity event in Yerevan, executive director of PINK Armenia Mamikon Hovsepyan, said “it was painful for him to witness Armenians’ reaction to the attack, which included advocacy of hatred and insults targeting the LGBT+ community.”

“People without the elementary capacity to think began to justify the criminal. I do not understand how a crime against humanity can be justified. Many in Armenia have been aggressive and have even expressed support for the terrorists, inviting them to Armenia, which is very sad and inhumane. Today we came here to express our solidarity with the families of the victims.” Hovsepyan said.

The activist added that he was left “dumbstruck” by Armenian President, head of ruling Republican Party Serzh Sargsyan sending his condolences to U.S. President Barack Obama in connection with the shooting; “It would have been great had [the condolences] been genuine and heartfelt. But I don’t believe it; because the same party that justified 4 years ago [the attack on a LGBT-friendly pub in Yerevan] today extended its condolences in connection with a similar act. I do find it ironic, and yet I’d like to believe that they’ve changed.” 

It was disheartening to read PINK Armenia calling fellow Armenians ‘to respect innocent victims & not defend terrorist acts’.

We call on our fellow Armenian friends and citizens to respect the innocent victims, and not to defend terrorism and terrorist acts.

Կոչ ենք անում մեր հայրենակիցներին հարգել անմեղ զոհերին, այլ ոչ թե պաշտպանել ահաբեկչությունն ու ահաբեկչական գործողությունները։

Even two main US-based Diaspora Armenian publications (Asbarez and The Armenian Weekly) kept silence on Orlando for 3 days, before posting a more general op-ed or a report from Yerevan. As my Facebook friends noted, it's because no straight Armenian was killed.

I have to say that mainstream media in Armenia, at least on this occasion, overall reported on the events respectfully, including regarding LGBT people (example).

As was mentioned on the Russian service of BBC, in relation to reactions in Russia, this event showed that not everyone in our society a homophobe ("У нас есть четкое понимание того, что общество уже не едино в гомофобии.”). This is applicable to Armenia too. Not necessarily the most optimistic conclusion but a basis for hope.

Armenia: No Space For Difference - Amnesty International exposes widespread discrimination and attacks on LGBT people

Armenia: New report paints bleak picture for country's independent media, human rights activists and LGBTI community

Posted: 22 August 2013 

A shocking new report from Amnesty International published today reveals an alarming culture of persecution in Armenia against both critics of the ruling regime and the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) community.

The 20-page report, Armenia: No space for difference, exposes the harassment and intimidation suffered by civil society activists and journalists who question the mainstream view of the country’s conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The report also reveals discrimination and attacks on LGBTI activists and people, and the unwillingness of the authorities to protect them. In 2011, a survey by the Armenian human rights group, Public Information and Need for Knowledge, found 71.5% believed the state should take measures to fight against homosexuals. Since then posters have appeared across the city of Yerevan calling for citizens to “fight against homosexuality” and claiming “homosexuals are leading our country to destruction”. The views have been echoed by Armenia’s ruling Republican Party and Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov.

Through national and international obligations the Armenian authorities have committed to ensure that activists can carry out their work without interference, obstacles, discrimination or fear of retaliation. 

Amnesty International’s researcher on Armenia, Natalia Nozadze, said: “This contrasts starkly with the reality in Armenia – public officials condone violence against those with dissenting opinions. The targets of such attacks are often left without adequate protection and offences against them go unpunished, which has a chilling effect on others.

“Frequently the result is that journalists and human rights defenders self-censor on contentious issues, which further contributes to the shrinking space for difference of opinion within Armenian society.

“The ability to exercise the right to freedom of expression, even when the views expressed may be deemed controversial, and the ability to gather and demonstrate peacefully are essential for the defence of human rights and for a functioning civil society.”

*Access to full report: Armenia: No space for difference

*See also: PinkNews - Amnesty documents widespread harassment of Armenia’s LGBT community

DIY firebombers court case: anti-gay attackers effectively pardoned in Armenia

UPDATE 23 October 2013: Amnesty Granted to Brothers Accused of Bombing Gay-Friendly Bar DIY (+ comments section below)
***
Here we are. DIY firebombers avoided imprisonment. They got conditional sentencing and a symbolic fine. Very mild court sentence for anti-gay attack in Armenia capital Yerevan.

«Պինցետ» փանք խմբի մենակատար Արմինե Օգանեզովայի (Ծոմակ) DIY բարը հրկիզած ազգայնական եղբայրներն այսօր դատապարտվել են 1 տարի 7 ամիս պայմանական ազատազրկման և 2 տարվա փորձաշրջանի: Այսօր Կենտրոն և Նորք Մարաշ վարչական շրջանների ընդհանուր իրավասության դատարանում Գագիկ Պողոսյանի նախագահությամբ կայացել է DIY բարի հրկիզման գործով արագացված դատավարությունը: Երևանի կենտրոնում՝ Փարպեցու փողոցում գտնվող DIY բարը նախորդ տարվա մայիսին մի քանի անգամ հարձակման էր ենթարկվել ազգայնական խմբավորման անդամների կողմից: Առաջին հարձակման ժամանակ իրանահայ եղբայրներ Արամեհ և Համբիկ Խաբազյանները պայթեցրել էին ակումբը` կոտրելով ապակին և բենզինով շիշը ներս նետելով, որից հետո ձերբակալվել էին: Ակումբին հասցվել էր 3.227.563 դրամի գույքային վնաս: Եղբայրներից մեկին ազատել էին ստորագրության դիմաց, մյուսի համար մեկ միլիոն դրամ գրավ էր վճարվել, իսկ նրա երաշխավորներն էին ՀՅԴ-ական պատգամավորներ Արծվիկ Մինասյանն ու Հրայր Կարապետյանը: [Epress.am]

They were merely charged under the Article 185 Part 3 of the Criminal Code with the intentional infliction of damage to property committed by arson, explosion or other publicly dangerous method. Not even aggravating circumstances. Not to mention that this was a classical example of hate crime. Crime that is still awaiting its definition in the Armenian criminal code.

 Now you know it's ok to attack gays, gay-friendly venues in Armenia. Maximum you will get is a conditional sentence and a symbolic fine. And, yes, don't forget asking MPs for support. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Very few in Armenia and Diaspora cared about this sentence or the court hearing. No much publicity or condemnations.

Many will think: ah, it doesn't concern me. Or worse: that they should have been formally pardoned or perhaps considered as heroes.

It’s exactly because of such mentality that the situation in Armenia is not moving forward. This is what I was referring to in my post that we fight against consequences rather than root cause of the problem(s).

@nkayserian How can I be happy or think of anything else when I know DIY firebombers are not sitting in jail for anti #gay attack. #Injustice #Armenia 

For now, I can sum-up that anti-gay attackers were effectively pardoned in Armenia. Congrats to ARF Dashnaktsutyun & ruling Republican party MPs for a victory of hate crime.

 

Violence, intimidation, no legislative protection - reports highlight urgent need for Armenia authorities to ACT NOW to tackle LGBT discrimination

Series of reports published over the last month or so by various European, international and local groups consistently highlighted lack of legislative protection of LGBT people in Armenia. Reading these reports side by side reminds us what a horrible year 2012 was in terms of violations of human rights of LGBT people in Armenia. Unfortunately, nothing much has changed since. No politician was sacked or resigned for inciting or supporting anti-gay violence. No one was charged for anti-gay violence. No legislative changes have been made to ensure human rights protection of all Armenian  citizens, regardless of sexual orientation. Instead, hysteric outbursts in media and by MPs, politicians and other public figures are abound fuelling further homophobia and discrimination of people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
***

European Commission: Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in Armenia Progress in 2012 and recommendations for action

Comprehensive legislation on discrimination is not yet in place, while discriminatory attitudes are widespread. The current definition of discrimination does not cover all forms of discrimination (race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, gender, sexual orientation or other status). Moreover, efforts to ensure effective implementation of the current laws are inadequate.

Efforts need to be stepped up on ensuring non-discrimination in social life, in particular regarding the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The firebombing of a pub in Yerevan in May, the subsequent disruption of the Diversity March, cancellation of a film screening on tolerance under pressure from unidentified entities, and discriminatory statements from influential politicians are incompatible with European values. This area has not been covered by the National Human Rights Strategy.

Freedom House: Armenia Report 2013 

The year 2012 witnessed a number of crimes and protests apparently motivated by homophobia. In the early morning hours of 8 May, a gay-friendly rock club in central Yerevan was firebombed, causing damages assessed at $7,500. Two young Iranian citizens arrested in connection with the crime were reportedly bailed out by representatives of the Dashnaktsutyun party, who spoke favorably of the bombing, as did Eduard Sharmazanov, an MP for HHK. On 24 May, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia called the attack a crime against sexual minorities and called upon Armenian law enforcement to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards hate crimes.

On 21 May, a Cultural Diversity march was held in Yerevan by the Women’s Resource Center and PINK, a group supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights. Some media labeled the event “gay parade in disguise.” Although there is no official ban on gay pride parades in Armenia, one has yet to take place there. A group of young men, including from the nationalist youth group Hayazn, staged a counter-protest with posters saying “Keep your kids away” and “Say ‘no’ to perversions.” They attempted to disrupt the march but police intervened in order to prevent clashes between the two groups. In October, Hayazn also obstructed the screening of Parada, a film by Srđan Dragojević about LGBT rights in Serbia. Three screenings, funded by the EU delegation and the German Embassy to Armenia, were announced, but protests from Hayazn led all of the venues to back out due to concerns of mass disorder and potential property damage.

PINK Armenia: Human rights situation of LGBT people in Armenia 2012
Along with the highlights of main instances of the human rights violations of LGBT people, such as firebombing of gay friendly DIY bar, attacks on Diversity march perceived as "gay parade", failure to stage a screening of gay themed film Parada, PINK's report reflects briefly the development of draft anti-discrimination legislation that lately became a favourite topic of discussions of Armenian media, politicians and so on, who dubbed this legislation as "gay rights law" (I will come back to this in separate posts). The need for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation was highlighted by the EU too (see above).

Human Rights Ombudsman office initiated the development of anti-discrimination legislation. In the first presented draft law “discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity” was included, but later this point was excluded from the definition of discrimination. The Human Rights Ombudsman Office refuses to provide explanations on this matter. Perhaps it could be the first law, which will ban the discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There is no law in Armenia that prohibits discrimination, hate promotion, violence and other crimes based on person’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

PINK's report also mentioned an extraordinary attempt at silencing activists not only inside Armenia, but also abroad, within the Diaspora framework.

“Armenians and Progressive Politics” conference took place in USA and was launched in New York city, and then continued in San Francisco, Berkley and Los Angeles.Together with other civil society activists ”Public Information and Need of Knowledge” NGO president Mamikon Hovsepyan presented human rights situation of LGBT people in Armenia. The speeches had success in three cities, however in Los Angeles the hosts, Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee – Eastern Region did not allow him to present his speech, in a result of which the majority of participants left the conference hall and conducted that part in another place. The organizers explained their decision as for safety considerations. 

While leaving the venue, Markar Melkonian, brother of national hero Monte Melkonian, approached Mamikon Hovsepyan, shook his hand and said that he supports him.

[read also: Widow of Armenia national hero Monte Melkonian blasts ultra-nationalists for hijacking his name to spread hatred and anti-gay violence]

This case was highlighted also in the annual report of Europe's main LGBT rights group - ILGA-Europe:

In October, human rights defender and president of PINK Armenia, Mamikon Hovsepyan, was forced to withdraw as a speaker in the panel discussion at the Armenians and Progressive Politics conference in Los Angeles, organised by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Central Committee – Eastern Region, after he was threatened with retribution because of the LGBT nature of his speech. Hovsepyan was later told that the extreme nationalist forces within ARF didn’t want him to speak at the conference. 

"In November, the activists of PINK Armenia were stalked by young people who attacked the Diversity March in May. The attackers of the march followed activists on the streets and sat next to them in cafes. Activists believe that the motive behind these actions was to intimidate and silence them."

Also relevant -

Armenia - at the bottom of Europe re human rights protection of its LGBT citizens

Amnesty International names and shames Armenia's ԷՇ + more

Amnesty International released its annual 2013 country specific reports. Although the reports are brief and not comprehensive, they do point out to some important developments and human rights problems.

In Armenia, the Amnesty reflected on parliamentary election, freedom of expression, including nationalist hysteria and attacks towards Azeri film festival, poor conditions and ill-treatment in Armenian prisons, alternative (to army) service due to conscientious objectors.

Civil society activists attempting to hold a festival of Azerbaijani films in Armenia were subjected to violent attacks and forced to cancel the event on two occasions. On 12 April, dozens of protesters blocked the venue of the film festival, scheduled in Armenia’s second city, Gumri. They physically assaulted Giorgi Vanyan, the organizer and chairman of the local Caucasus Centre for Peace-Making Initiatives, and forced him to publicly announce that the festival was cancelled. Festival organizers reported that the local authorities had harassed and used psychological pressure to dissuade them from holding the event. 

On 16 April, another attempt to hold the film festival in the city of Vanadzor at the Helsinki Citizens Assembly (HCA) office also prompted public protests and violence. Approximately 200 people – including students, political party members and veterans from the Nagorno-Karabakh war – gathered in front of the HCA office. They forced their way into the premises, vandalizing office equipment, throwing eggs and rocks and injuring one member of staff. Police officers present throughout failed to intervene to ensure the safety of the staff members or to stop the violence. Despite the HCA’s requests, additional police did not arrive until after the incident. After an investigation, one woman was fined for throwing a stone at the building, but no thorough or impartial investigation took place. The authorities failed to condemn the violence.

The Amnesty specifically mentioned the attacks on gay friendly DIY bar and endorsement of such attacks by ARF Dashnaktsutyun MPs and ԷՇ [ESh - Eduard Sharmazanov], spokesperson of ruling Republican party and deputy speaker of the Armenia parliament. If the trend continues, soon ԷՇ related label will rival other top labels on this blog.

On 8 May, a gay-friendly bar in the capital, Yerevan, was attacked. Two people were caught on a security camera throwing Molotov cocktails through the windows. However, police reportedly only arrived at the scene 12 hours later to investigate the attack. Two young men were arrested as part of the investigation, but were bailed shortly afterwards by two MPs for the nationalist Armenian Revolutionary Federation –Dashnaktsutyun party (ARF). They condoned the attack, saying it was in line with “the context of societal and national ideology”. Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesperson for the ruling Republican Party and Parliamentary Deputy Speaker was quoted justifying the violent attack in local newspapers.

Norwegian Helsinki Committee calls Armenia authorities to adopt anti-discrimination legislation and tackle hate crime

Read also: DIY watershed: one year on since gay friendly bar firebombed in Armenia capital Yerevan

*via the Norwegian Helsinki Committee

One year after the bombing of the DIY pub and violent counter demonstrators attacked a Diversity March in Yerevan, Armenia still suffers from widespread intolerance and discrimination of minorities. The legislation does not include hate crime with intent towards gender and sexual minorities, and the government fails to protect the rights of these citizens. Media is more often used as a tool to build up under prejudice and intolerance, and homophobic statements are frequently used by stakeholders to gain popularity.

- The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is concerned with the development in Armenia, and supports local civil society activists in their struggle for tolerance and respect of all groups in the country, says Secretary General of the NHC Bjørn Engesland.

Women, LGBT-persons, ethnic and religious minorities are under increased pressure in the homogenic society. Any alternative behaviour is subject to public scrutiny from the neighbours to the authorities and might be seen as a threat to the national ideal of a masculine head of the family, ready to defend his motherland from the many enemies around.

Several state officials were justifying the hateful crime after the bombing of the DIY pub, including the spokesperson of the ruling Republican Party. Later the same month, a discreet march devoted to the UN World Day of Cultural Diversity was attacked by a large group of violent thugs, supported even by priests in their traditional black cloaks. The thugs were additionally provoked by the way the event was portrayed in the media as a gay parade. The police were initially protecting the participants of the march, but later advised the attackers of where they had taken refuge. [...]

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee joins the local activists in the aim to remove homophobia and intolerance in Armenia, and urge the Armenian authorities to

- Include civil society activists in the process to develop effective anti-discrimination legislation that also addresses intent and hate-crimes against all minority groups;

- Widely discourage homophobic and intolerant statements by public figures and derogatory terminology in the media;

- Prosecute offenders of hate crime and protect representatives of minority groups and their defenders. 

On 14-15 May, international experts and stakeholders will gather in Oslo for a two-day conference on right-wing extremism and hate crime directed towards minorities in Europe and beyond. The conference is arranged by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the NHC urge everybody who have an interest in the theme to watch the conference live via web here or get updates from the conference on Twitter using the hashtag #REHC2013

DIY watershed: one year on since gay friendly bar firebombed in Armenia capital Yerevan

One year on... since neo-nazi thugs attacked gay friendly bar DIY in downtown Yerevan. Below are my reflections of what has happened since the event that should have sent shockwaves... Yet let’s see what has since changed.

DIY, the bar: no longer exists. While there are still gay friendly places in Yerevan, no longer there is a place (venue) that I can call *home*. Instead, a disgusting “Patriot Pub” full of ultra-nationalist hateful sh*t opened next door. Everything that DIY stood against.

The firebombers: still at large. The investigation took a year (!) to complete, and now the case is in the court. I wonder what exactly they were ‘investigating’, while everything was recorded and at least direct perpetrators are known and bailed out. The date of hearings is expected to be announced.

LGBT people in Armenia: they became less visible, less vocal. Do not expect any public actions in near future, not even to express protest by marking the anniversary of DIY firebombing. [There was a roundtable discussion on 8 May in Yerevan about culture of violence re DIY, I will post more about it separately, but this is not what I am referring to.] More people, including some prominent LGBT Armenians, left the country.

Diaspora: only very few individuals and groups (such as AGLA NY, GALAS, petition) publicly and unequivocally condemned the attack and government’s and legal system’s inaction to protect rights of its LGBT citizens and held those responsible for the hate crime.

International community: Despite some strong wording condemning the attack and condemning the endorsement of anti-gay attacks by some officials (US, UN, Council of Europe, EU), no REAL actions taken to ensure that respect for human rights, including LGBT rights, is an essential obligation reinforced by Armenia’s international partners before country's authorities and ruling regime. EU wasn’t even able to stage the gay themed Parada film screening despite previously widely advertised.

MPs, politicians of ruling Republican party and ARF Dashnaktsutyun party who endorsed the attack: spokesman for the ruling Republican party, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament Eduard Sharmazanov [ԷՇ = Էդուարդ Շարմազանով] (example: Terrorists as ‘national heroes’? Armenia ruling Republican party spokesman and MP explicitly support firebombers of DIY bar in capital Yerevan and encourage anti-gay attacks), MP from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan (example: MPs of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party bail out neo-nazi attacker of DIY bar. Dashnak MP Artsvik Minasyan supports arson attack, effectively encouraging terrorism in Armenia) + many more. Not only they didn’t get fired or demoted from their political or party positions, but continue with active public engagements and high profile within their respective parties.

Pretty grim, eh?! I am sorry that I can’t write more positive stuff and share with you stories of progress in Armenia. I can’t write how this case was a wake up call for Armenians. How this case shocked the society. How Armenian government and parliament adopted comprehensive anti-discriminatory legislation, and how hate crime definition was introduced into the criminal code to refer to crimes based on sexual orientation too. I am really sorry, I can’t share with you any of these stories. Because they never happened. Reality sucks big time pretty much in all spheres of life in Armenia.

But I want to end with a positive note, nevertheless.

Positive note: DIY case helped me to discover so many awesome people whose existence I would never be aware of otherwise. People, regardless of their sexual orientation, political affiliations who stood up for their LGBT friends, fellow citizens. People who detest and ready to fight the culture of violence and for human rights in Armenia. This was a watershed moment for me.

[For more background and posts on DIY, check DIY label on this blog]

US State Department highlights LGBT discrimination in Armenia, DIY bombing and officials’ endorsement of anti-gay attacks

US State Department published its annual country-specific human rights reports, including Armenia related. In the chapter that highlights discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the report specifically describes firebombing of gay friendly DIY bar in downtown Yerevan, attacks on Diversity march, as well as endorsement by ARF Dashnaktsutyun party and ruling Republican party MPs and officials, including vice-speaker of Armenian parliament, spokesman of ruling Republican party Eduard Sharmazanov and prominent ARF Dashnaktsutyun MP Artsvik Minasyan.

***
source: USA Department of State

Societal Abuses, Discrimination, and Acts of Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

No antidiscrimination laws apply to sexual orientation or gender identity. Societal attitudes toward LGBT persons remained highly negative, with society generally viewing homosexuality as an affliction. Societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity negatively affected the employment, family relations, and access to education and health care of sexual minorities.

On May 8, three men firebombed the DIY Bar in Yerevan, a popular spot for activists who promoted equal rights for women and minorities, including LGBT persons. Although there were no injuries, the bar was destroyed. Police were summoned but arrived 12 hours after firefighters extinguished the fire. The bar owner identified three suspects, of whom police arrested two, the brothers Hampig and Mkrtich Khapazyan. Legislators from the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Artsvik Minasyan and Hrayr Karapetyan, posted bail for one suspect and police released the other after he promised not to leave the country. A number of other National Assembly members, including Eduard Sharmazanov and Hovhannes Sahakyan from the ruling Republican Party, praised the actions of the Khapazyan brothers as a justified defense of the Armenian nation. Vandals spray-painted swastikas and threats against the owner of the destroyed bar on May 17 and 21.

Also in May the efforts of several NGOs to hold a “diversity march,” which local nationalists dubbed a gay parade, were thwarted by youths who shouted antigay slogans and tried to block the entrance to a building where a diversity exhibition was scheduled. Police ensured that there was no violence between the marchers and the nationalists and that the marchers were able to enter the exhibition while the protesters remained outside. The NGOs alleged that those who attempted to block the march were the same persons as those involved in the DIY bar bombing.

Openly gay men were exempt from military service, purportedly because of concern fellow service members would abuse them. However, the exemption required a medical finding, based on a psychological examination, that an individual had a mental disorder; this information was stamped in the individual’s personal documents.

According to human rights activists, sexual minorities were frequent targets for humiliating discrimination in prisons, where they were forced to perform degrading labor and were separated from the rest of the prison population.

Human Rights Watch 2013 report on Armenia highlights discrimination against LGBT people

Below are relevant extracts from the Human Rights Watch 2013 report on Armenia:

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

In July, the NGO Public Information and Need of Knowledge (PINK) Armenia reported that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people experience employment discrimination, obstacles accessing healthcare, and physical and psychological abuse in the army, in families, and in public.

On May 8, unidentified people threw a homemade bomb at DIY, a Yerevan bar frequented by LGBT and women’s rights activists. Graffiti identified LGBT people as targets. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov called the attack “right and justified.” Police arrested two suspects who were released pending trial. Unidentified attackers destroyed bar property and made death threats against its owners in three subsequent May incidents. Police were called during each attack but intervened only once.

On May 21 in Yerevan, a group of people threatened violence and shouted homophobic slogans at participants in a march organized by PINK Armenia and the Women’s Resource Center Armenia to celebrate diversity.

Key International Actors

In its May European Neighborhood Policy Progress Report, the European Commission urged Armenia to address corruption, media freedom, low public trust in the judiciary, and inadequate investigation of ill-treatment. It commended the government for strengthening laws on gender equality and health care.

European Union foreign ministers’ conclusions on the South Caucasus adopted in February at the Foreign Affairs council in Brussels highlighted the importance of free and fair elections and further judiciary reforms, political pluralism, freedom of and equal access to media, and protection of human rights defenders.

In his July visit to Yerevan, EU President Herman Van Rompuy welcomed Armenian authorities’ efforts to deliver more competitive and transparent parliamentary elections, but cautioned that February 2013 presidential elections should be more democratic.

Following its July review of Armenia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the HRC highlighted a host of concerns, including lack of comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation, violence against racial and religious minorities and LGBT people, discrimination and violence against women, lack of accountability for torture, and threats and attacks against rights defenders.

In May, the UN Office in Armenia condemned violence and intolerance based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The EU Delegation to Armenia and the CoE’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance expressed concern over Armenia’s inadequate response to anti-LGBT hate speech and violence.

In a new strategy for Armenia adopted in May, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development stressed the need for “further steps” such as police and judiciary reform and facilitating media pluralism.
***
Unfortunately, there was no reflection on LGBT rights in Georgia and Azerbaijan related annual reports.

“Anti-fascist” Armenia deputy speaker Sharmazanov? Huh? I do not think so

 When couple of months ago, I wrote about Armenian politicians and state officials supporting and encouraging anti-gay terrorism, Global Voices linked to my post under the headline: Armenia: state sponsored fascism? This was a spot on headline and terrifying at the same time. 

Let's consider another example from the recent events re people fleeing Syria to Armenia. It turns out that if your wife is non-Armenian, your family is not allowed to enter Armenia using simplified Syria related visa rules. There were subsequent reports that the whole family is in fact not ethnic Armenian but rather Assyrians. So what???

Writer and journalist Vahan Ishkhanyan, writing on his blog, mentioned of other examples of Armenians in Diaspora applying for residency in Armenia being required to "certify" their Armenian ethnicity in a... church (!!)

I am all questions now. Since when Armenian apostolic church became a "verifying" or "certifying" body for Armenian ethnicity? What about mixed families? What about people of other ethnicity who happened to reach Armenia while fleeing (in this case) Syria? What about international, including refugee related, conventions Armenia is a signatory of? When will we stop this 'pure blood' nonsense?  Wtf is going on?

Armenia deputy speaker of parliament and spokesman of ruling republican party Eduard Sharmazanov recently lashed out at Azerbaijan and accused the Azeri authorities in conducting a “state sponsored fascism”, following pardoning of axe-murderer Safarov and turning him into a national hero.

Շարմազանով. «Ադրբեջանում պետական մակարդակով իրականացվում է ֆաշիզմի քաղաքականություն» 31 օգոստոսի, 2012
Հանցագործ Ռամիլ Սաֆարովին Ադրբեջանին արտահանձնելու հունգարական իշխանությունների քայլն առնվազն տարակուսանք եւ վրդովմունք է առաջացնում, քանի որ պարզ էր, թե Ադրբեջանում ինչ էր սպասվելու այդ մարդասպանին: Իսկ ինչ վերաբերում է նրան ներում շնորհելու Ալիեւի որոշմանը, ապա այս քայլը եւս մեկ անգամ ապացուցում է, որ Ադրբեջանում պետական մակարդակով իրականացվում եւ խրախուսվում է հայատյացության եւ ֆաշիզմի քաղաքականություն: Կարծում եմ՝ այս մարդասպանին ներում շնորհելու Ադրբեջանի ապշեցուցիչ քայլը չպետք է անարձագանք մնա եւ դատապարտող գնահատականի արժանանա միջազգային հանրության կողմից: ԱԺ փոխնախագահ, ՀՀԿ խոսնակ Էդուարդ Շարմազանով (source: Hetq.am)   

Seriously? Sharmazanov??? 

The very person who supported anti-gay terrorism and encouraged neo-nazi style violence against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity in his own country has no right to condemn fascism in another country.

I can do it. He can't.

In her piece [Բացե՛ք ձեր աչքերը, մհերներ ու շարմազանովներ], contemporary writer Violet Grigoryan expressed perfectly what I wanted to say too.

[...] Ու երբ Շարմազանովը, ի պատասխան Ալիևի հայտարարության, թե Ադրբեջանի ու Հայաստանի միջև անդունդ կա, փորձում է այդ անդունդն ու տարբերությունը նկարագրել իբրև թե՝ «Այսօր Հայաստանում խրախուսվում են ժողովրդավարական արժեքները, իսկ Ադրբեջանում՝ ռասիզմն ու ֆաշիզմը», պիտի հիշեցնել նրան, որ ով` ով, բայց ինքը Հայաստանի այն պետական պաշտոնյաներից էր, որ DIY վառելն ու վառողներին պաշտպանելը համարում էր ազգային արժեքներին հավատարմություն, այսինքն` խրախուսում էր ֆաշիզմը (http://www.aravot.am/2012/05/17/71465/):  

Խտրականության հողի վրա հանցագործությունները` լինեն ազգային, կրոնական, թե սեռական, Շարմազանովի վկայակոչած ժողովրդավարությամբ շատ երկրներում դատապարտվում են նույն հոդվածով ու փոքրամասնությունների միացյալ ջանքերով: Եվ եթե Շարմազանովն ու իր նման մտածողները ոչ թե խրախուսեին միասեռականների հանդեպ գործված հանցանքը, այլ դատապարտեին, Հունգարիայի դեսպանատան դեմ էթնիկ ատելության ու ռասիզմի դեմ բողոքող ցուցարարները մի քանիպատիկ շատ կլինեին, քանի որ նրանց կմիանային Հայաստանի այն ակտիվիստները, ովքեր դեմ են ֆաշիզմին ընդհանրապես` լինի սեռական, թե ազգայնական խտրականության: Կմիանային նաև սեռական փոքրամասնությունները, որոնց ներկայացուցիչներից շատերը Սաֆարովին հերոսացնելու դեմ իրենց բողոքն արտահայտում էին սոցցանցերում, բայց ամենայն հավանականությամբ զգուշացան միանալ այն խմբին, որոնց մեջ կային DIY-ը վառելը արդարացնողներ ու բազմազանության ցույցի վրա հարձակվողներ:  

Այնպես որ, բացեք ձեր աչքերը, մհերներ ու շարմազանովներ, մի լղոզեք ու մի խրախուսեք հանցագործությունները, դրանով մի կողմից վիրավորում եք զոհերին, տուժածներին ու նրանց մերձավորներին, մյուս կողմից` խոչընդոտում եք, որ Հայաստանը դառնա ժողովրդավարական արժեքների շուրջ համախմբված քաղաքացիների երկիր: [...]

Anatomy of violence, or Armenia MP (president of Football Federation) Ruben Hayrapetyan slaughterhouse

Military doctor severely beaten by bodyguards of Armenia MP, president of Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan (aka 'Nemets Rubo') has died on 29 June. [For background to this story, read: Unbearable cruelty of being of Armenia tycoon - turned MP - turned Football Federation president & his entourage]



Video above details some of the 'heroic' pages from the history of violence of disgraced Armenia MP, president of Football Federation, oligarch Ruben Hayrapetyan, nicknamed 'Nemets Rubo'.

Posting this video, Hetq Online reminds how 'Nemets Rubo' threatened and/or enacted violence towards journalists, drug addicts, and (more recently) gays. The author righty points out that after all the violent rhetoric and actions, there should be no surprise that we witnessed yet another violence, this time with more tragic consequences. [Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանը միշտ զգուշացրել է (վիդեո)]

To remind, following recent firebombing of gay friendly bar DIY in Yerevan, ‘Nemets Rubo‘ said he “condemns terrorism” but “in favour of punishing gays and ready to do it myself”. “We should think of another way of punishing to eradicate them from our society.”

Other high profile MPs from ruling Republican party who supported firebombers and encouraged anti-gay violence include vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament, spokesman of the ruling Republican party Eduard Sharmazanov, and MP, (now) secretary of Republican party parliamentary group Hovhannes Sahakyan. 
[I recommend reading Հոդված ատելության մասին by Sergey Danielyan too]

Last night, there was a candlelight vigil in Yerevan in memory of beating victim Vahe Avetyan. People gathered in front of the restaurant where the violence took place [Harsnaqar restaurant belongs to 'Nemets Rubo'] Many held 'I am Vahe Avetyan' posters condemning violence, calling for boycott of oligarch MP businesses and his resignation as MP and president of Football Federation.

Among protesters rightly condemning violence, I noticed two well known personalities who have their share of moral responsibility for this atmosphere of hatred and violence.

Armenian MP from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Armen Rostomyan said nothing when his colleagues from the ARF party, and in particular Artsvik Minasyan, Hrayr Karapetyan and Artur Aghabekyan supported firebombers and at least in case of Artsvik Minasyan (+ here) and Artur Aghabekyan openly encouraged anti-gay violence.

Larisa Alaverdyan, former MP and ex-Ombudsman, effectively sided with homophobes during TV programme discussing attacks towards gay friendly bar and Diversity march.




Below are two pictures from the candlelight vigil protest action via CivilNet and PanArmenian FB page.

*picture via CivilNet/Seda Grigoryan

*"Slaughterhouse" written on the wall of Harsnaqar restaurant, picture via PanArmenian/Hrant Khachatryan [Հանցաքար" և "Սպանդանոց" գրվեցին ռեստորանի պատերին]

PACE delegates slam Armenian MPs who condoned attack on gay friendly bar DIY in capital Yerevan (statement)

*source: PACE (Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe)

Homophobic violence openly condoned by certain Armenian members of Parliament 

27 June 2012  
Written declaration 527 

On May 8 an LGBT friendly bar in Yerevan was firebombed. Two of the arsonists have been arrested.

Certain Armenian MPs have openly condoned the arson attack. One is reported to have stated that the attack was completely “right and justified”, and to have claimed that those who support the rights of LGBT Armenians "are perverting our society, are defaming the Armenian national identity." Two others paid the bail of one of the arsonists. One of these MPs is reported to have asserted that the arsonists "acted in accordance with our society's values and national ideology", although adding that "it was wrong to cause material damage".

We call upon the Armenian authorities to publicly repudiate such statements, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and to put in place measures to protect LGBT people from violence and discrimination and to counteract homophobic and transphobic attitudes in society, in accordance with the Committee of Ministers Recommendation on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Signed:

GUNNARSSON Jonas Sweden SOC

ACKETOFT Tina Sweden ALDE

ALONSO José Antonio Spain SOC

ANDERSON Donald United Kingdom SOC

AXELSSON Lennart Sweden SOC

CONNARTY Michael United Kingdom SOC

ČRNAK MEGLIČ Andreja Slovenia SOC

DAVIES Geraint United Kingdom SOC

DAVIES Don Canada

DOBBIN Jim United Kingdom SOC

FISCHEROVÁ Jana Czech Republic EDG

GARDETTO Jean-Charles Monaco EPP/CD

HÄGG Carina Sweden SOC

HÄRSTEDT Kent Sweden SOC

HAUGLI Håkon Norway SOC

JÁUREGUI Ramón Spain SOC

JENSEN Mogens Denmark SOC

LUNDGREN Kerstin Sweden ALDE

MEALE Alan United Kingdom SOC

MOGHERINI REBESANI Federica Italy SOC

MULIĆ Melita Croatia SOC

OHLSSON Carina Sweden SOC

PERNASKA Lajla Albania EPP/CD

RECORDON Luc Switzerland SOC

SHERIDAN Jim United Kingdom SOC

SYDOW Björn, von Sweden SOC

VILLUMSEN Nikolaj Denmark UEL

VUČKOVIĆ Nataša Serbia SOC

WURM Gisela Austria SOC

Total = 28

*EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party SOC: Socialist Group ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe EDG: European Democrat Group UEL: Group of the Unified European Left NR: Representatives not belonging to a Political Group

Relevant background reading: 

HATE CRIME: DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan under neo-nazi arson attack

MPs of ARF Dashnaktsutyun party bail out neo-nazi attacker of DIY bar. Dashnak MP Artsvin Minasyan supports arson attack, effectively encouraging terrorism in Armenia

ARF Dashnaktsutyun must "send a strong message", or else is tarnished with this "heinous act" (re neo-nazi attack on DIY and Dashnak MP in Armenia supporting hate crime)

Disgraced Armenia MP from ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan calls for fight against gays as “threat to national security”

Terrorists as ‘national heroes’? Armenia ruling Republican party spokesman and MP explicitly support firebombers of DIY bar in capital Yerevan and encourage anti-gay attacks

ARF Central Committee in US condemns hate crime in Armenia as more local Dashnak MPs endorse firebombers and encourage anti-gay violence

Armenia Football Federation president Ruben Hayrapetyan ‘against terrorism’ but ‘ready to punish gays and eradicate from society’