I'd like to start my first post of 2016 with a positive note.
When The Guardianasked via Twitter to nominate LGBT heroes ["Who are your LGBT heroes? Tell us about the activists bringing change"], I had no doubts whatsoever who I will be nominating.
My LGBT heroes are people at PINK Armenia. First and foremost I relate this to the staff of PINK Armenia, but also their - and mine - friends and allies.
Regarding their latest achievements, a particular praise goes to holding of groundbreaking Rainbow Armenia forum (October 2015), the first such LGBT gathering in Armenia with the aim to empower the movement.
What I find particularly encouraging and worth pointing out, they work very closely with other members of civil society in Armenia towards global human rights issues in the country and beyond. In fact, they became one of the most active and respected groups in Armenia. Along with LGBT related actions, they are very vocal and active regarding much broader issues ranging from social (such as electricity price hike) to environmental (protecting green spaces), democracy (election monitoring), domestic violence and women's rights.
Along with annual LGBT rights reports (annual reviews on human rights situation of LGBT people in Armenia), they conduct or commission important LGBT-themed surveys/research. Their latest research on “The impact of LGBT emigration on economic indicators of Armenia” (2015) was highly publicised and discussed in various forums.
PINK Armenia stage regular film screenings, art related events, video or flashmob to highlight LGBT related discrimination and homophobia.
In December 2014, (IN)2VALUABLE exhibition took place based on submissions for the photo contest of the same name organised by PINK Armenia, aimed at drawing attention to the problems of discrimination and intolerance in our society, with the entries reflecting concepts of tolerance and anti-discrimination.
“I am against homophobia” video series, involving Armenian and Ukrainian activists, as well as videos tackling anti-LGBT bullying in cooperation with other allies were among widely distributed in Armenian social and other media.
I can go on and on with more and more examples of breaking taboos and tackling homophobia, human rights abuses in Armenia by this brave and great bunch of people who work in a very challenging environment of prevalent homophobia in Armenia. It’s PINK Armenia and friends who keep my hope alive that one day Armenia will change its homophobic routine and become a country where individual freedom and equality will prevail.
Impressed that presidential candidates in Georgia were questioned on their views re "sexual minority rights". This is in itself a progress. Example to other countries in the region.
For the first time in the region, both main candidates were not afraid of publicly expressing their stance re LGBT rights, especially as this was generally in line with the protection of human rights for all and non-discrimination. They were not afraid that their views could alienate voters in a country where homophobia is widespread and fueled by highly influential Orthodox church.
However, in comparison, I consider the answer of Giorgi Margvelashvili (Georgian Dream) to be the best out of all candidates.
Sexual minority rights
"What do you think on protection of sexual minority rights and their better integration in socio-political life?"
*WWW.PREZIDENTI.GE has been created to foster an informed political debate on the issues that are important to the Georgian society for upcoming Presidential Elections of October, 27. The Project: Support to the Development of Democratic Institutions in the South Caucasus is funded by the Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands to Georgia. To these ends, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) invited the registered presidential candidates to respond to 20 specific and policy related questions. Every candidate could have provided no more than 250 words when answering each of these questions.Website is available in 4 languages: Georgian, Armenian, Azeri and English.
Main candidates
Margvelashvili Giorgi » represents current PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream party
The objective of a democratic state is to protect the rights of every citizen. The protection of minority rights should be specially emphasised. The modern democracy consists in balancing rule by majority with the protection of minority. It takes a lot of attention and efforts to ensure that decisions made by majority do not restrict the minority rights.
The government should never allow any discrimination, persecution or oppression of humans on any grounds. At the same time, it must create conditions for full and creative self-expression of every human being.
Bakradze David » represents the outgoing president Saakashvili’s United National Movement
The UNM considers any discrimination, any restrictions of political and civil rights on any grounds as inacceptable. While remaining faithful to the essence of common beliefs about family relationships, it condemns any violence and expressions of xenophobia against members of sexual minorities.
Other candidates
Asatiani Akaki » Union of Georgian Traditionalists
According to current Georgian legislation, the rights of sexual minorities are protected. Our task would be to steadily follow the legislation.
Bobokhidze Teimuraz » Initiative group
The Georgian legislation, to the extent I know, does not put any restriction to the right of sexual minorities. Some people think the violation of right is the fact that representative of these minorities does not have the right to go through a service of marriage and to live together without benefit of clergy. Well, I believe they are allowed to get employed; they have free, unimpeded access to schools and colleges. If there are not, then it is up to the court of law to decide what the matter is in each specific case.
Burjanadze Nino » Democratic Movement - United Georgia
The persons of non-traditional sexual orientation should enjoy the same rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and shall have the same responsibilities, as the citizens of traditional orientation. In Georgia it's always been and will always be so.
The President should be the guarantor and protector of rights of each citizen.
Chikhladze Giorgi » Initiative group
All citizens of Georgia have equal rights of participation in social life, despite their sexual orientation. The equality of rights is protected by the law, based on respective protective mechanisms.
Javakhidze Sergo » Justice for Georgia
The state shall care for its citizens including the rights of its sexual minorities and shall facilitate their integration into political and social life.
Kharatishvili Zurab » European Democrats of Georgia
Georgia is a part of the Christian civilization and lives according to the respective rules. Such values as inviolability of life, right of property, institute of family, personal and national dignity are important for us.
I think that each person should feel him/her a worthy member of a society, and difference according to this or that feature must not be a basis of violation or restriction of right. More exactly, we will not restrict anybody by ethnic affiliation and will not announce nontraditional sexual orientation a criminal offence. This concerns the private affair of a person and is not a business of the state or policy. The state on the one hand must ensure strengthening of the state status of the Georgian language, and on the other hand -finance and promote learning of Georgian by the ethnic minorities. As well, the state must in every way strengthen the institute of traditional family and on the other hand - do not allow violation in respect of people with nontraditional sexual orientation.
At the same time it should be mentioned that we will not support the institute of same-sex marriage, because this contradicts the traditional concept of a marriage. Why we should change the contents of the concept of a marriage? We know that a marriage is a union between man and woman. In the same-sex marriage this means the union of two any person. In such case I would ask - why only two? It is understandable that this carries us to the point of absurdity.
Margiani Avtandili » Initiative group
Historically the rights of sexual minorities in Georgia have never been violated, it is not violated now and considering the general tolerance of our nation, it will not be violated in the future. Being a sexual minority always meant maintaining of low profile or keeping of one’s private life in secret. Advertising and arrangement of sexual minority demonstrations/parades will facilitate debauchery, which shall be prohibited from moral standpoint.
Mzhavia Teimuraz » Christian-Democratic People’s Party
The given question has several aspects - a right in general, exercising of the right and argumentation of the conceptual approach to the issue. The right of the sexual minorities to carry out actions corresponding to their own choice, is regulated by the appropriate legislative act „The framework convention of the Council of Europe concerning protection of the sexual minorities“, which does not allow anybody to interfere in the above mentioned choice, and in my opinion also envisages that representatives of the sexual minorities may not demand from the so called sexual majority in this or that form unconditional recognition of their choice. This provision is unequivocally written in the above mentioned legislative act. I think the state should actively participate in balancing of differing interests. Otherwise its activity will not be justified, and as to the issue of provision of their equal rights in the social-political life of the country, it is to be considered in the context of protection of rights of any men/women. The basis of the main argument of my conceptual approach to the given issue, as the concrete citizen, is the unconditional recognition of the fact that the first source of development of the world or maintenance of its viability, of evolution itinerary and the dynamics of dialectic regularities, that from the scientific point of view unconditionally depends on male and female relations not only in the biological organic sector of the world, but, as the modern science states, even in its inorganic part itself; when a human being opposes the stable foundations of the evolution of a man, it calls into question even the perspective of existence of the man. I would state sincerely that I do not want that the mankind be in front of the choice, when his right will be on one dish of scales, and on the other - an issue of his/her very existence in the world.
Natelashvili Shalva » Labour party of Georgia
Representatives of sexual minorities in Georgia have always participated in social and political life, they are inseparable parts of the social and political development of our country today, and I am sure they neither have nor had any problems with that. However, I do not think it is either fair or correct to demonstrate your sexual orientation in the streets having said that, I oppose any kind of violence.
Saluashvili Mikheil » Initiative group
Every citizen of Georgia, regardless of his sexual orientation paraded or covered, should have the equal rights. According to the Christian morality, it is necessary to fight against any form of sin, and not the person who committed this sin.
Targamadze Giorgi » Christian-Democratic Movement
Private life is inviolable. Therefore, the state cannot interfere unduly with the establishment of sexual orientation of specific people and their participation into social or political life. However, if equality means civil legal relationship such as marriage, then adopting children by same sex couples is naturally absolutely inacceptable. On the contrary, draft constitutional amendment had been proposed, pursuant to which the state shall recognize and uphold the marriage only between a woman and a man. Current edition of the Constitution does not specify the parties of the marriage and stipulates their equal rights only. Therefore, according to researchers’ opinion, Civil Code contradicts with the Constitution of Georgia and chances to win the case of an individual appeal to the Constitutional Court are very high. Thus, same sex marriage can be considered legal in Georgia not through the adoption of certain bylaws, but by announcing the existing norm as an un-constitutional. Suggested draft involves the edition of the Constitutional norm that is accepted by the Constitution of EU member countries, such as Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary.
I am glad to see that independent A1+ TV’s flagship news programme is back on air (on its rival ArmNews!). Since its (decade-long) closure, I keep saying that until A1+ is back I won’t believe that things are changing in Armenia.
I know that homophobic editor of Aravot daily Aram Abrahamyan (Armenia Homophobia Hall of Shame) has been part of A1+ in past and present (online). Now, with the revival of news programme, it’s disappointing to see that the editor who advocates homophobia is part of the project too.
I wrote about A1+ in one of my very first posts after I launched Unzipped blog:
"(for years) They tried to ban A1+ TV, they sort of succeeded, but they was not able to ban A1+, for me - the symbol of free speech in Armenia. A1+ continued its live online. [...] If one day I switch on TV and see A1+ station live, I will understand that I probably live in different Armenia, in better Armenia, in Armenia which can be transformed to a country where I would prefer live in..."
Well, not quite a transformation yet. A small progress - probably.
As long as Aram Abrahamyan is part of the project, these changes will remain illusive for me.
As I posted earlier, the Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York has sponsored historic petition co-signed by 20+ leading Armenian cultural figures who have unified their voices to support human rights in Armenia. This is the first time such a petition has been created in support of LGBT human rights in Armenia.
Chairman of Golden Apricot International Film Festival, one of my favourite film-makers, prominent Canadian Armenian director Atom Egoyan is among those who co-signed the petition.
It has since been supported by more than 300 (at the time of writing this post) Armenian and foreign citizens, including well known activists, cultural, art figures.
Comments are being posted under the petition by people who signed it.
Here is a very touching one by Christine Allen:
My great-grandfather, Shukrey Sanjiyan, was brutally attacked during a pogrom in Tarsus on November 15, 1895. He managed to survive and made his way to the U.S. via France in 1897. The rest of his family was slaughtered during the genocide. It is in his memory that I, his lesbian great-granddaughter, sign this petition. My wife and I have been together for over 26 years and our youngest daughter, Kalie Sanjiyan, carries his name. I work for equal rights for all people in America, and I support equal rights for all people in the homeland of my heart, Armenia.
The Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York has sponsored the following historic petition that is co-signed by 20+ leading Armenian cultural figures who have unified their voices to support human rights in Armenia. This is the first time such a petition has been created in support of LGBT human rights in Armenia.
[I am so glad to see one of my favourite film-makers, prominent Canadian Armenian director Atom Egoyan signature under the petition.]
* * *
For Immediate Release
June 26, 2012
The Government of Armenia: Honor the Constitutional Right of Each Citizen
We, the undersigned, write to support democratic and human rights for all in Armenia. We are disturbed by the May 8 firebombing of the gay-friendly bar DIY and the subsequent vandalism of the space. Attacks on the May 21st Cultural Diversity march in Yerevan by a few hundred “neo-fascists,” some wearing swastikas, lead us to fear that the democratic nature of Armenian society is threatened. Though police have done an admirable job of maintaining order over the course of the attacks, the government has not responded directly to the incidents, nor produced a clear message of tolerance for diversity. Some members of the Armenian government have even made statements condoning these attacks, going so far as to claim that such violence against LGBT Armenians is a means of protecting “the national ideology.”
We stand with the United Nations, the United States Embassy, Amnesty International, the Armenian Ombudsman, the European Union and the Council of Europe, in calling for the Armenian government to act in alignment with global human rights values. We call on President Serzh Sargsyan, his administration, members of Parliament, and all local governing leaders to honor the constitutional right of each citizen of the Armenian Republic to be treated with dignity and respect.
Initial signatories include: Nancy Agabian, Shushan Avagyan, Arlene Avakian, Peter Balakian, Anna Barseghian, Eve Beglarian, Eric Bogosian, Chris Bohjalian, Diana Der Hovanessian, Gregory Djanikian, Atom Egoyan, Aris Janigian, TJ Jourian, Nina Katchadourian, David Kherdian, Nancy Kricorian, Micheline Aharonian Marcom, Marc Nichanian, Meline Toumani, Hrag Vartanian
*source: Gay.az, picture by Mehman Huseynov [Бакинская полиция (Police) ходит под ручку друг с другом (ФОТО)]
When I saw this picture, it instantly reminded me the ones with the Armenian police I posted two years ago. The circumstances were slightly different, but the overall result was equally hilarious. [for more - Armenia police 'in action']
Now that this shameful and scandalous anti-gay law has been adopted in its third reading in St Petersburg and awaiting a formality of governor's approval, this editorial by popular Russian news outlet Gazeta.ru is an absolute MUST READ: "Traditional orientation" (RU).
Закон о запрете пропаганды гомосексуализма среди несовершеннолетних может стать еще одной дубиной для борьбы с инакомыслием
Российское государство ориентировано на запрет как на лучший, а часто единственный способ решения всех проблем. Но такая традиция только раскалывает общество и увеличивает его агрессивность.
Законодательное собрание Санкт-Петербурга в третьем чтении одобрило скандальные поправки в местный закон об административных правонарушениях, направленные «против пропаганды гомосексуализма и педофилии среди несовершеннолетних». Впервые со времен отмены существовавшей в советском Уголовном кодексе статьи за мужеложство (по ней были осуждены многие неугодные советской власти люди, в частности, замечательный режиссер и художник Сергей Параджанов) пока в отдельно взятом регионе государство пытается законодательно регулировать сексуальную жизнь граждан. То есть прямо вмешиваться в их частную жизнь без объективных на то оснований. При этом формулировки закона крайне расплывчаты и допускают расширительное толкование. И то, что в одном законе смешивается гомосексуализм и преследуемая уголовным законом педофилия, делает питерский законодательный опус еще более невнятным.
Этот запрет, учитывая роль Петербурга в политической жизни страны и раскладе сил во власти, может расцениваться как пробный шар перед возможным принятием аналогичного закона на федеральном уровне.
Но, даже если до федерального закона дело не дойдет, мы имеем дело с классической для России попыткой решить простым запретом крайне сложную проблему. Никакая сексуальная ориентация человека, что признано медициной и принято как базовая норма общественной морали в цивилизованном мире, не является болезнью или отклонением.
Конечно, главные традиционные религии России — православие и ислам — изначально резко отрицательно относятся к гомосексуализму. Но Россия светское государство и не может опираться в светских законах на религиозные доктрины и нормы. Кроме того, сексуальные отношения вообще глубоко интимная сфера, и государство такими запретами прямо вмешивается в частную жизнь людей.
Наконец, есть конкретные уголовные статьи, предусматривающие наказание за сексуальные преступления против несовершеннолетних независимо от сексуальной ориентации правонарушителя. И этого вполне достаточно, чтобы бороться с подобными преступлениями.
Напротив, юридический запрет «пропаганды» так называемых нетрадиционных сексуальных практик больше похож на характерные для нашего государства попытки запрещать инакомыслие.
Разумеется, пока в России нет никаких политических шансов требовать официальной регистрации однополых браков или, как это уже юридически разрешено в некоторых штатах США и ряде европейских стран, права однополым семьям усыновлять детей. Но пытаться регулировать законом, да еще запретительным, написанным с позиции определенных представлений о нравственности, то, что в принципе не регулируется таким образом, что имеет отношение к человеческой природе, просто дико. Фактически определенная сексуальная ориентация людей изначально объявляется преступной.
Более того, закон ставит в тяжелое положение именно тех, кого вроде хочет защитить, — детей. Ребенок, живущий в однополой семье, автоматически переходит на «нелегальное» положение. Ни его родители, ни его учителя, ни сам ребенок не могут даже затрагивать эту тему в разговоре с другими детьми, не рискуя попасть под действие закона. Толерантность к другим, не похожим на тебя цветом волос, языком, религией, образом жизни людям, взывать к которой так любят у нас в официальных речах, заканчивается там, где начинается питерский закон.
Еще большие сомнения он вызывает не только своим «концептуальным» варварством, но и правоприменительной практикой. В России любой закон, содержащий запретительные меры, обычно не выполняется, а «перевыполняется».
И закон о запрете пропаганды гомосексуализма среди несовершеннолетних может стать еще одной дубиной для борьбы с инакомыслием, особенно учитывая, что ЛГБТ-сообщество традиционно граждански активно и критически настроено по отношению к власти (в основном потому, что, по сути, загнано на нелегальное положение исторически культивируемой властью гомофобией).
И блестящий пример того, как этот закон может быть применен на практике, немедленно предложил его автор, депутат Виталий Милонов. Он заявил о намерении обратиться к прокурору Петербурга с требованием привлечь к ответственности группу Rammstein, как только проект будет подписан губернатором.
Нет сомнений, что петербургский закон окажется популярным и в самом городе, и среди россиян в целом. Но государство не должно поощрять законами низменные инстинкты консервативной толпы: в этом смысле агрессивная гомофобия куда более опасна, в том числе и для несовершеннолетних, чем так называемая пропаганда гомосексуализма.
Was watching live video reports from Russian rally in Moscow for “free and fair election” and for democratisation of Russian society, as well as against Putin’s cling to power.
Was pleasantly surprised as I could see big purple LGBT-related poster "Ты Тоже Квир" [‘You Are Queer Too’] and rainbow flags on a prominent display during live reports of rain.tv.
Ironically, there was quite a variety of groups of all sorts of persuasions participating in the same rally, including... nationalists.
13.47. Москва. Большая Якиманка - Болотная площадь. Большая часть шествия подошла к Болотной площади. Примечательно, что самыми первыми, кто выбился вперед в самом начале шествия, были сторонники Михаила Прохорова во главе с самим миллиардером. Их, правда, было совсем не много – около 100 человек. Потом шла гражданская колонна, либеральная колонна («Солидарность» и «Республиканская партия России»), следом шли представители ЛГБТ-движения с радужными флагами и плакатами «Ты – тоже квир». Позади шествовали члены «Яблока», а в последними шли колонны националистов и левых сил.
Евгений Фельдман (Novaya Gazeta)
“In line with standard requirements that have to be fulfilled to host the Eurovision Song Contest, the government of Azerbaijan has been requested by the EBU to provide guarantees about security during the event, as well as freedom of expression, according to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and in line with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, to all participants, fans, accredited journalists and the individual citizens of the country that access official Eurovision Song Contest premises. The EBU also requested that all accredited individuals and ticket holders shall receive sufficient entrance visa for the required duration. Such guarantees are expected to be given in the weeks to come.” - reads statement published on official Eurovision website.
As Escdailyrightly pointed out, “such words are more than likely to refer to the question of Armenia’s participation, VISA entry requirements, and questions about press freedom in the would-be host country.”
This is extremely important, as Azeri authorities continue discriminating against anyone with Armenian surname, whether Armenian or foreigner, by barring their entrance to the country. Only yesterday, journalist of Armenian origin with Bloomberg was refused entry to Azerbaijan: Bloomberg Photojournalist Diana Markosian Deported from Baku to Istanbul
Photojournalist Diana Markosian on assignment for Bloomberg agency, arrived at Baku airport on Monday night, was detained and then deported to Istanbul on Tuesday evening. According to the Director of the Institute of Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) Emin Huseynov, Markosian said that all her documents are in order, but she has been detained because of her Armenian surname. [...]
This is unacceptable in general, and even more so for a country that aims at hosting Eurovision song contest. Not to mention extremely poor record of human rights and gay rights. [more detailed post re latter will follow]
Here is what I tweeted yesterday:
#Eurovision must seriously reconsider #Azerbaijan suitability for hosting the contest unless they guarantee entry & safety of Armenian fans
To host #Eurovision, #Azerbaijan should be scrutinised & pressured to improve #gay rights #humanrights & ensure free entry of #Armenia fans
We should stop - and this is a good occasion to start with - once and for all this complex of losers or complex of inferiority between our countries, whenever either Azerbaijan or Armenia wins any international contest.
All talks of Armenia boycotting Eurovision in Baku I consider ridiculous and loser’s talk. Let’s pass that psychological complex, and rather concentrate on the quality of performance and the act chosen.
On the other hand, Azerbaijan must ensure that Armenian delegation and fans not only from Armenia but worldwide are able to attend the contest without having any problems with their yan/ian surname.
Problems facing by anyone with yan/ian surname was reminded once again in a post by IanYan:
Plans for Armenia to participate in the festivities in Azerbaijan will be difficult, as Armenians citizens as well as those from other countries who are of Armenian descent are forbidden entry into the country, especially if passports show any evidence of travel to Nagorno-Karabakh. Even the U.S. Department of State travel site warns against it:
“U.S. citizens of Armenian ancestry—you should know your visa applications may be denied by the Government of Azerbaijan on the grounds that your safety cannot be guaranteed,” it says, also adding, “U.S. citizens of Armenian ancestry considering travel to Azerbaijan–you should remain particularly vigilant when visiting the country, as the Government of Azerbaijan has claimed that it is unable to guarantee your safety.”
Azerbaijan must ensure that security of Armenian fans are guaranteed. No excuses will be accepted this time. If Azerbaijan fails to deliver on this, the country should be barred from Eurovision. This will be too damaging for Azerbaijan reputation to risk.
Back to the contest itself.
Azerbaijan was not among my favourites at Eurovision. And that guy looked too ‘sterile’, or shall I say, ‘asexual’ for my taste. I personally voted for Georgia, Greece and Slovenia. [Being in London, I could not vote for the UK, but Blue was among my faves too.]
But Azerbaijan delivered a well executed performance. They made efforts, and they won the contest. And I’d like to congratulate my Azeri friends.
Here is what was happening in Baku last night after the news on winning the contest brought youth to the streets of Azerbaijan capital.
Now the most intriguing and interesting part begins. The build-up to the Eurovision 2012. Will Azerbaijan deliver on the promise to “bring Europe together”?
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelinessums up general feeling of Azeri activists:
And as Azerbaijan celebrates its this year victory with a song called "Running Scared" by Nikki and Ell, one of Azerbaijan's young activists, Elnur Majidli declared wanted by Interpol. You know why? Well, simply because Azerbaijan chooses to spend thousands (if not millions) of government money on things like Eurovision while paying no attention whatsoever to the internal situation on the ground where for the record, journalists and activists get arrested on faked up charges.
So yea people, continue celebrating something as unnecessary and stupid as a Eurovision song contest, while turning a blind eye on human rights, freedom of expression and all the other violations taking place in your country. Because who cares about that right when Azerbaijan won such an important event of the year?!
These sentiments were echoed by @scaryazeri and Amnesty International:
@scaryazeri: Great! Now that everyone is excited about #Eurovision, we can all forget about human rights and other issues in #azerbaijan!
@amnestymanc: congrats to #Azerbaijan for #Eurovision win! Now pls free elections & media, no political prisoners & no torture http://tinyurl.com/5tggdmy
But there is now a potential for activists to use the Eurovision for advancing the rights in Azerbaijan.
@GoldenTent: #Democracy advocates of #Azerbaijan - 12 months of #Eurovision coverage can work to your advantage - start your engines! ;) #Caucasus #esc
We may safely bet that despite recent militaristic rhetorics from the Azeri authorities, there will be no war in the coming year.
@supersayatnova: Azerbaijan win at #Eurovision means one more year without war #esc
Another important issue. Eurovision is a contest with huge gay following. Azerbaijan winning the contest means 'Gay Pride parade' is coming to Baku. Will Azeri authorities be able to ensure that rights and the safety of LGBT fans and participants of the contest are protected and they won’t face discrimination? Gay activists in Azerbaijan and abroad could use the occasion to improve the situation with the gay rights and target widespread homophobia in the country.
One of the popular thoughts on Twitter was Armenia coming to Baku and winning the Eurovision 2012.
@mmkarmenia: Imagine if next year #Armenia takes the first place in #Azerbaijan, that can be something. #Eurovision
@turkhankarim: Next year Armenians will come in Azerbaijan for Eurovision. And they will win... This is my peace opinion. Let it be true :)))
Truly, an incredible thought.
And to end this post, I chose this extremely positive tweet by @dolcenelly:
all i can say is that South Caucasus rules: both Junior and Senior Eurovisions are going to be held in this region!:) #positiveview #Arm #Az
Amnesty Internationalreports on intensifying “wide-reaching and ruthless” crackdown by the Azeri authorities on opposition, freedom of speech and any sign of decent.
The latest incident took place today, when government sponsored youth & co targeted opposition politician amid further detentions of political activists.
The Azerbaijan authorities must end their clampdown on freedom of expression, Amnesty International said today after 11 more political activists were arrested ahead of Saturday's planned "Day of Wrath" protest. [...]
"The Azerbaijani government's pre-emptive crackdown on those seeking reform has been wide-reaching and ruthless," said John Dalhuisen, Deputy Director for Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Programme.
Government supporters today held a rally outside the home of opposition leader Ali Karimli. The crowd chanted that he was a traitor and a homosexual, while police stood by and watched. [...]
"The increase in the number of incidents of harassment and violence against activists and journalists in Azerbaijan is deeply concerning. The trend appears to illustrate the determination of the authorities to stamp out any forms of dissent," said John Dalhuisen.
@leylanajafli provides with additional details: “These placards had slogans like “There’s no place in Azerbaijan for the Ali Karimli’s of this world, who sell our land to Armenians!”, “Shame on the traitor!”, “Ali Karimli, what money does your family live on in London?” and “Ali Karimli + radical islamists = chaos”. This comes after yesterday’s rumors spread by pro-Aliyev media outlets stating that Ali Karimli was to meet and “conspire” with a number of radical Islamist groups.
They also chanted slogans in support of the Aliyev regime: “Long live Ilham Aliyev!”, “Our only president, our only leader is Ilham Aliyev”, and other slogans in support of the ruling party. Videos show a student singing “Mavi” (“Blue”, meaning “gay” in Azeri slang) through a loudspeaker – part of a black PR campaign against Karimli that started years ago.”
Just had a glance at that video (below). Pretty disgusting crowd, I must say. Nauseous.
Up until two days ago I thought that one of the prominent opposition figures, head of HHSh (Pan-Armenian National Movement) party Aram Manukyan is an intelligent enough guy with a liberal mindset. But this was up until two days ago, when during press conference he linked emigration to... homosexuality stating that the opposition will be able to “stop these processes”.
Manukyan noticed as well that 10,000 boys leave Armenia during the period of transferring from 9th to 10th grade. “This leads to homosexuality, breakdown of families; late marriages and divorces. The disbalance [imbalance] between the number of boys and girls is a serious demographic problem,” he said, noting that it’s necessary to bring a stop to these processes. “We’re ready to stop these processes. Our political team is ready to lead the movement as much as possible without any losses; as much as possible, through reasonable, intelligent, organized, proven methods; to affect a change in regime with a team,” he concluded.
***
Մանուկյանը նաև նկատել է, որ 9-ից 10-րդ դասարան անցման ժամանակ տասը հազար տղա է լքում Հայաստանը: «Սա իր հետ բերում է համասեռամոլություն, ընտանիքների քայքայում, բերում է ծեր ամուսնություններ, ամուսնալուծություններ: Տղաների և աղջիկների քանակի դիսբալանսը լրջագույն դեմոգրաֆիկ պռոբլեմ է», – հայտարարել է ընդդիմադիրը` նշելով, որ հարկավոր է այս գործընթացների «դեմն առնել»: «Մենք պատրաստ ենք էդ պռոցեսների դեմն առնելու: Մեր քաղաքական թիմը պատրաստ է ղեկավարելու շարժումը հնարավորինս անկորուստ, հնարավորինս խոհեմ, խելացի, կազմակերպված, փորձված մեթոդներով, կայացած թիմով կատարել իշխանափոխությունը», – եզրափակել է Մանուկյանը: (source: Epress.am)
If this is an example of type of mentality prevalent among opposition leaders in Armenia, no revolution and no change in ruling regime will result in any positive CHANGES whatsoever. Revolution in streets is irrelevant here. What we need now and utmost is revolution in minds.
***
Below are only few comments via Twitter in response to Manukyan’s ridiculousness. More - on Facebook.
@epressam more homophobia from #Armenia public figures: "Emigration Leads to Homosexuality, Breakdown of Families" http://www.epress.am/?p=69915
24 Feb
@onewmphoto So, the opposition's rhetoric to justify an uprising? "The loss of Karabakh" and to "stop homosexuality." Sigh... http://bit.ly/fUa5Wb #1mar
24 Feb
@supersayatnova @onewmphoto oh my, immigration is so gay! hahahahaha, good one! what a bunch of lunatics!
24 Feb
@tzitzernak @onewmphoto though I must say i keep hoping the comment on homosexuality was a mistake/misinterpretation
24 Feb
@epressam @tzitzernak @onewmphoto Did you read the article in Armenian? It was what he said though the details are unclear
25 Feb
@dolcenelly @unzippedblog i guess it's not about homophobia, it's more about "tgitutyun", and i haven't read more stupid opinion, it's even ridiculous
25 Feb
@unzippedblog @dolcenelly I'd say both: routine homophobia (or playing on it) + tgitutyun. And cheap political tricks
25 Feb
I have to say I am not surprised that homophobic editor of Armenian daily Aram Abrahamyan has been invited to moderate the first discussion in new series One Hundred Questions and Answers hosted by Civilitas Foundation. This is yet another display of hypocrisy by organisation that talks about European values and human rights.
Let’s not forget that founder of the Civilitas and first “guest” of the ‘100 questions’ forum is Vartan Oskanian who tries hard at rebranding himself as ‘human rights champion’. In his latest statement Oskanian denounced Armenia’s ruling coalition latest announcement:
The ruling coalition’s announcement highlights the authorities’ disregard of democracy, elections and the public will.
There is just one big problem here, Mr. Oskanian.
Vartan Oskanian was Armenia’s foreign minister during 1 March 2008 bloody crackdown on the opposition in the aftermath of falsified presidential election. He was silent re human rights abuses then. In fact, I am wrong, he was vocal in his support and excuse of ruling regime’s actions. I do not remember him ever coming clean or apologising. For real.
At least one reader of this blog who received the invitation below, has already sent a complaint to Civilitas re collaboration with the homophobic editor.
I thought it would be good if someone could go there and challenge both Vartan Oskanian’s hypocrisy and Aram Abrahamyan’s homophobia. As they say, the aim of these discussions is “to give the citizens a possibility to pose direct questions to personalities who are responsible for different areas of life of the society.”
***
The Civilitas Foundation cordially invites you to the first discussion in its new series called
One Hundred Questions and Answers
Each month we will invite a public personality from all walks of life – political parties, civil society, public officials, etc. – to answer questions from the audience. The aim is to give the citizens a possibility to pose direct questions to personalities who are responsible for different areas of life of the society.
The discussions will be moderated by
Aram Abrahamyan
Editor-in-chief of Aravot daily
The first guest of the forum will be
Vartan Oskanian
Founder of Civilitas and
former Minister of Foreign Affairs
The event will take place at the
Yerevan Golden Tulip Hotel, Rossini Hall,
on February 28, Monday, at 4 p.m.
Entrance only by registration,
by phone 010 500 119.
Number of places is limited.
UN News Centre: 18 June 2010 – Armenian authorities must take steps to protect human rights defenders, who are often physically attacked, harassed or stigmatized as they try to carry out their work in the Caucasus nation, an independent United Nations expert said today. [...]
Human rights defenders and civil society groups should be consulted and included in decision-making processes, Ms. Sekaggya said, adding the specific needs of women defenders and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender defenders must also be addressed. [...]
***
For more details - see Unzipped
Dramatic developments in Tbilisi escalated over night into a fistfight between religious fundamentalists & neo-nazi groups and free speech advocates.
Below are extracts of reports coming out from Georgia with videos of the incident.
*** Fundamentalists start punch up at TV station Georgian International Media Centre
A debate between supporters of free speech and religious fundamentalists seeking to ban the publication of a controversial book - said to insult the church and promote homosexuality - degenerated into a punch up after the fundamentalists turned to violence, reports Civil.ge. [see below]
Controversy over the book "Saidumlo Siroba" - the name is a play on the Georgian for "Last Supper" and could be translated as "Holy Crap" - has been rumbling on at Tbilisi State Univeristy all week and last night Kavkasia TV, a cable station in Tbilisi known for its willingness to discuss controversial issues around the church, attempted to hold a discussion between advocates of the book's banning and free speech campaigners and university staff. [...]
*** Radical Orthodox Christian Group Stirs Fistfight in TV Station Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 8 May.'10 / 03:56
Live televised debates in Kavkasia TV's studio between leaders of hardline Orthodox Christian groups and thier opponents grew into a fistfight outside the Tbilisi-based station's studio late on Friday night.
Young men affiliated with radical group, known as Union of Orthodox Christian Parents, which has became associated with a newly established People's Orthodox Christian Movement, verbally and physically assaulted some of Kavkasia TV program's guests and also some members of the station's staff, witnesses said.
Kavkasia TV's talk show, Barieri (Barrier), hosted by Nino Jangirashvili, featured several invited guests and an audience in in the studio. Among the guests were Malkhaz Gulashvili, owner of the Georgian Times media holding and a co-founder of People's Orthodox Christian Movement; Nana Devdariani, a former public defender and chairperson of Central Election Commission during Eduard Shevardnadze's presidency and Levan Chachua, a member of Union of Orthodox Christian Parents. Thier opponents during the debates were professor Sergo Ratiani, head of Ilia State University's administration; Teo Khatiashvili, a film critic and Beka Mindiashvili, a religious rights activist.
Topic of the debate was developments of recent days related to series of confrontations between young followers of radical Orthodox groups and thier critics, who consider newly established People's Orthodox Christian Movement as "a fascist" organization. May 7 also saw a confrontation between the two groups.
In the beginning of the program, the host expressed hope that the debates would have been "vibrant, but much calmer and more constructive than they have been in recent days."
But from the very start debates took an ugly turn. Gulashvili told the opponents for couple of times: "Your are not liberals; you are liberasts."
He used a term which apparantly is a wordplay of liberals and pederasts; the latter is used in Georgia as a derogative form for gays.
Beka Mindiashvili told Gulashvili that it was up to police to deal with the activists of his organization, because of the May 4 attack on peaceful demonstrators.
About an hour after the start of the program, Beka Mindiashvili said there was no reason to continue discussion with his opponents and left the studio, followed by Teo Khatiashvili and then by Sergo Ratiani.
Shortly after that the program was interrupted for a commercial break; it resumed about 20 minutes later - much longer than it takes for commercial break on Kavkasia TV.
When the program resumed, the host announced that after several guest of the program left the studio, before the commercial break, representatives of Union of Orthodox Christian Parents, outside the studio, started to verbally insult them, "trying to provoke them". She said it grew into fistfight in which several TV staff members were also physically assaulted. Kavkasia TV's founder, Davit Akubardia, was also attacked.
Scuffle reoccurred again shortly after that announcement by the talk show host and she called on the police "to immediately come and curb this". Several minutes later, several members from Union of Orthodox Christian Parents, including several priest, entered into the studio telling the program host that it was "a provocation staged by you". Police also arrived in the studio . It was reported later that at least three men were arrested; some reports said that four men were detained.
The program resumed few minutes later with some opposition politicians arriving in the Kavkasia TV studio condemning the incident. General Director of Georgian Public Broadcaster, Gia Chanturia, accompanied by GPB's boar chairman Levan Gakheladze also arrived "to express solidarity" towards the Kavkasia TV.
Some opposition politicians in the studio, including Tina Khidasheli of the Republican Party, part of the Alliance for Georgia, said that she thought the hardline Orthodox Christian groups were given free hand by the authorities.
"They would not have dared to do things like this without having support of the authorities," Khidasheli said and added that it was in the authorities interests to provoke this kind of incidents in order to redirect attention from upcoming local elections.
Malkhaz Gulashvili, who founded People's Orthodox Christian Movement, in March, 2010, told the movement members at an indoor gathering on May 7, that the movement was launching struggle "to set Georgia free of a dictate by Liberty Institute" - an influential Tbilisi-based think tank with links to the authorities. Gulashvili said Liberty Institute and its affiliates in Ilia State University's administration were "promoting anti-religious ideology."
Gulashvili in the past was a business partner with the Georgian Industrial Group (GIG), a conglomerate owned by lawmaker from the ruling party, Davit Bezhuashvili - a brother of Gela Bezhuashvili, chief of the Georgian intelligence service. Gulashvili and GIG were partners through holding shares in business news agency, Georgian Business Consulting. GIG also owns shares in Rustavi 2; Mze and Pirveli Sterao TV stations. Gulashvili, however, said recently that he no longer had any business or other type of links with Bezhuashvili.
***
Noted Georgian dissidents Anna Dolidze and Irakli Kakabadze have issued a strongly worded statement against those seeking to ban the controversial book "Saidumlo Siroba" ('Holy Crap')
Members of neo-Nazi groups who continue to publicly perpetrate acts of violence and attacks against activists for freedom of expression should be swiftly brought to justice. The fact that the Georgian police and Prosecutor’s Office put a blind eye as Georgian neo-Nazi groups continue to attack and harass journalists and activists amounts to their support to increased violence perpetrated by these groups. [...]
In the wake of upcoming municipal elections on the May 30th, a strong wave hate speech against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has been unleashed forcefully by radical nationalist and religious groups in Georgia. We have witnessed several high profile cases in which Georgian politicians, parliamentarians, public figures and journalists have brought LGBT issues in politicized context, making LGBT community the target for defamation, disgrace and physical violence.
During the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) the issue of hearing on the resolution on “Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity” gave push to controversy in Georgia, thus prompting the leaders of several religious communities to condemn PACE’s intention to address the issue of homophobia. This criticism was immediately accelerated by Christian Democrat’s Movement, a political party represented in the Georgian Parliament. The Party misinterpreted resolution as obligatory instrument for recognizing same sex marriage and parental rights and was able to stir negative PR for the resolution in Georgia.
Several weeks later, new People’s Orthodox Movement was founded by Mr. Malkhaz Gulashvili, a newspaper publisher known for his close ties with the Russian authorities. His Moscow ties has frequently put him in a position when he needed to answer pressing questions about his fidelity to Georgian national interests. Instead of submitting direct answers, Mr. Gulashvili adopted a strategy to drive away from the discussion by irrelevantly scape-goating lesbians and gays, problematizing homosexuality and calling them perverts and sick. This has enabled him and his supporters redirect any public discussion from his own agenda. Mr. Gulashvili has dangerously partaken in into endless and shameless session of insult and defamation of his LGBT co nationals. He and other members of the movement have been outspoken rather radically, calling on punishing all who are, in his words “against orthodox beliefs and values”.
As a matter of fact, on the May 3rd 2010, International Press Freedom Day, extremist orthodox organizations: Peoples' Orthodox Movement and Orthodox Parents' Union organized rally in front of Ilia State University that later on was joined by two Mayoral candidates. They requested withdrawal of Irakli Deisadze’s book from the university bookstore. The newly published book is criticizing extremist orthodox ideology, allegedly including passages that may upset the feelings of Christian Orthodox believers. In addition, the protesters have requested to allocate place for Orthodox worship in the state university and demanded dismissal of University Rector Mr. Gigi Tevzadze. The latter, they claimed, drives the youth (meaning students) to perversion. Organizers disseminated information leaflets that presented excerpts from the book with the accent on content of the book that has homosexual allusions.
On May 4th 2010, responding to this attack on Ilia State University, a number of civil activists decided to stage flash mob in front of the same university to defend the freedom of expression and alert public about the fascistic hysteria in the country. They feared that demanding to ban a piece of publication from the university bookstore is an extremely alarming signal of infringement of one’s constitutional and inalienable right to free expression and access to information.
During the May 4th demonstration, several persons from People’s Orthodox Movement joined the mob and attempted to disrupt it. Later on, members of extremist groups, they steadily outnumbered the civil activists, have started targeting organizers and participants. Street bullying has taken place, coupled with anti-gay slogans and chase, beating and otherwise attacks on civil activists physical and mental integrity. This has happened regardless of the fact that the mob aimed at supporting general freedom of speech and not any particular groups' rights. In other words, this was not an LGBT demonstration whatsoever. Police have not interfered adequately, they only tried to separate individuals when fight have become extreme. Neither did they stop perpetrators from limiting right of free assembly of mob participants. In addition to this they made participants leave the territory while letting perpetrators remain in control of the vicinity until they made sure mob was disrupted.
Several participants were severely beaten up in front of police officers, others were chased in the street by perpetrators with knives in their hands. Perpetrators were individually asking about participants sexual orientation while targeting them. While doing so, they have been threatening with physical liquidation and sexual assault. Several persons have suffered brain concoction and corporal injuries. Some have been targeted on following day in their neighborhoods after been identified through television coverage.
We appeal to the relevant authorities in Georgia to denounce their position on impunity policy in relation to these extremist groups over last two years. None of the members of these groups have been punished or held otherwise accountable. This is contributing to increasingly threatening violent actions on their behalf. They simply grew stronger and are equipped with the sense of moral supremacy since the politicians, the judiciary and the general public not only denounce their disruptive actions, but silently side with them.
We appeal to diplomatic missions in Georgia to raise this issue with the Georgian authorities. We also appeal to the representation of the Council of Europe to remind Georgia of its obligation to respect human rights and dignity of its citizens. We urge the EU institutions to reflect on this incident during evaluating progress of European Neighborhood Policy National Action Plan, in the process of bilateral Human Rights Dialogue, and in the frames of Eastern Partnership talks. We will include this incident in shadow report when Georgia undergoes Universal Periodic Review with UN Human Rights Council.
We appeal to human rights groups worldwide to address Georgia’s diplomatic representations abroad, and to ask them condemn hate biased violence against any person in Georgia, exacerbated by the impunity Georgian state has delegated to extremist groups.
On 15 December 2009, the police raided an office of the Inclusive Foundation, ILGA-Europe’s member organisation in Georgia, and arrested Paata Sabelashvili, leader of the Inclusive Foundation and a member of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board.
ILGA-Europe is shocked by the conduct of the Georgian police, which had clearly homophobic motives. ILGA-Europe demands the immediate release of Paata Sabelashvili.
Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of the Executive Board of ILGA-Europe, said:
“We are very troubled by this news. The information we have received from Georgia indicates that the police acted disproportionately and completely ignored basic rule of law. Moreover, we are extremely concerned about the safety of Paata Sabelashvili, who is not allowed any contact with the outside world.”
Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair of the Executive Board of ILGA-Europe, added:
“ILGA-Europe is in very close contact with our member organisation in Georgia and monitors the situation. We are compiling the facts and details so we can bring this shocking situation to the attention of various European institutions and eventually ensure that Georgian authorities behave in accordance with the rule or law and agreed international human rights standards. We will be releasing any further information as soon as we have more details”.
On December 15 2009 at 7 pm the office of Inclusive Foundation, a well known Georgian LGBT organization, was raided by five armed men without uniform. The leaders of the organization together with about 15 community members of the ‘Women’s Club” were present in the office. They were ordered not to leave the room and were told that only their chief was of interest to them. The head of the organization, Paata Sabelashvili was taken to a separate room. Then the men made a telephone call and at about 8 pm an additional group of armed men came in. According to witnesses, they did not wear police uniforms (several of them put on jackets with the police inscription only in the office), they did not provide a search warrant, did not inform about their identity or agency they represented and did not explain the purpose of their intrusion.
Witnesses point out that several men reminded them that two witnesses had to be present during the search taking place in another room. Cell phones were confiscated, everyone was moved to a separate room where several men guarded them. Women were locked up in the room for several hours, they were not allowed to contact their families, they were humiliated by being called “perverts”, “sick persons”, Satanists. They were laughed at and several men told them that their photos would be taken and disseminated to reveal their sexual orientation. One of the unidentified men tore down a poster in the office. One of the leaders of the organization, Eka Agdgomelashvili, together with Tinatin Japaridze were threatened that they would be killed if they did not stop demanding search warrants and other official documents. Some of the armed men responded that “we will only show papers to those to whom we need to show them.”
Paata Sabelashvili, the leader of the organization, was arrested as a result of the raid. Soon after arrest he confessed to the possession of 8 grams of marijuana. However, because he made the confession before seeing his lawyer, without the presence of anyone except law enforcement officials, the validity and voluntary character of the confession is highly suspicious.
One of the armed men, distinct with homophobic statements and his aggressive behavior towards staff members, introduced himself as an Operative Officer of the Constitutional Security Department of the Ministry of Interior Giorgi Gegechkori. However, on the pretrial measure hearing of Paata Sabelashvili he appeared as Investigator David Khidesheli. Another man, who later turned out to be the head of the police division, threatened Eka Agdgomelashvili with killing if she immediately would not stop pointing out that they were violating the law. He shouted : “I will kill you!” “I will tear you into pieces!” After one of the staff members said that he was exceeding his powers, he shouted: “Sue me, I don’t give a damn”, “I am myself the Law and the Judge!”
Armed men searched through all bags of staff members in the office. Some of the bags were searched in another room when the owners were not present. Only after that they were returned to their owners. Two women officers forcibly took girls (often in pairs) to the bathroom, stripped them naked and searched them. The girls were humiliated and called “sick” in the process. There was no search protocol composed as a result of the search. Having finished the search, one of the women officers exclaimed that having seen these women, she began to hate women’s body.
Staff members of the organization are under continuous surveillance up till now. Their homes, movement in the city and office are under constant surveillance by cars full of men without uniform. One such car is permanently stationed outside the entrance to the house of one of the staff members.
The raid on the Inclusive Foundation represents a logical continuation of the policy of repression of non-governmental organizations conducted by the Georgian government. It aims at marginalizing, intimidating and discrediting human rights defenders in Georgia. One should have in mind the recent attacks on Georgian civic organizations: public broadcaster of Georgia recently aired a coverage about the alleged attempts of extortion by the members of NGO ‘Human Rights Priority’; Rustavi 2 publicized a defamatory news report about applications submitted by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association to the European Court of Human Rights; Officers of the Ministry of Interior threatened and attempted an extortion from the journalist of newspaper “Batumelebi”. Officers publicly implicated in the incident have not yet been punished despite the assurances by the Ministry of Interior.
We are concerned that particular character of the organization will be manipulated for the purposes of artificially nurturing the aggression of radical fundamentalist groups. It is noteworthy, that the Georgian government has been abstaining from defending the rights of its citizens in such situations. It portrays itself abroad as a victim of the internal clashes of liberal and fundamentalist groups, while internally it appeases to traditionally minded electorate. Hence, we are alarmed about the trend of purposeful discrediting and intimidation of the Georgian civil society leaders.
Therefore,
1) We protest the violation of basic rights, dignity, and identity of victims and demand that those persons, who performed the acts of verbal, psychological and physical violence against the members of the Inclusive Foundation be punished.
2) We demand the Georgian government to react to every similar incident as it is established by the law, conduct inquiries and punish those who perpetrate such acts
3) We appeal to international organizations and diplomatic services accredited in Tbilisi to thoroughly monitor the detention of Paata Sabelashvili and pressure the Georgian government for protection of his Constitutional rights. We ask for continuous monitoring of such incidents and for accountability of the Georgian government to defend the basic rights of its citizens.
4) Georgian media should follow the principle of the presumption of innocence of the individual and should refrain from publicizing unverified information.
5) Surveillance and intimidation of the members of the Inclusive Foundation should be immediately discontinued.
6) We appeal to the Public Defender of Georgia to investigate the instance of raid on the Inclusive Foundation and the arrest of its leader Paata Sabelashvili.
Inclusive - Foundation
info@inclusive-foundation.org
*picture - current Facebook profile picture of Paata Sabelashvili
On December 15 2009 the office of the Inclusive Foundation, a well known Georgian LGBT organisation, was raided by the police. They did not wear police uniforms, did not provide a search warrant, did not inform about their identity or agency they represented and did not explain the purpose of their intrusion. Members of the LGBT community were present in the office during the raid for a regular meeting of the “Women’s Club”. The men confiscated cell phones of all those present in the office, did not allow them to contact their families, and made degrading and humiliating remarks, such as ‘perverts’, ‘sick persons’, Satanists. They threatened to take photos of the women and disseminate them to reveal their sexual orientation. They also threatened ‘to kill’ and ‘tear to pieces’ one of the leaders of the organisation, Eka Agdgomelashvili, if she did not stop demanding the search warrant and identification documents of the police.
Paata Sabelashvili, the leader of the organization, was arrested as a result of the raid. Soon after arrest he confessed to the possession of 8 grams of marijuana. However, because he made the confession before seeing his lawyer, without the presence of anyone except law enforcement officials, the validity and voluntary character of the confession is highly suspicious.
Staff members of the organization are under continuous surveillance up till now. Their homes, movement in the city and office are under constant surveillance by cars full of men without uniform. One such car is permanently stationed outside the entrance to the house of one of the staff members.
The raid on the Inclusive Foundation represents a logical continuation of the policy of repression of non-governmental organizations conducted by the Georgian government. It aims at marginalizing, intimidating and discrediting human rights defenders in Georgia.
“The real violence… the violence that I realised was unforgivable is the violence that we do to ourselves, when we are too afraid to be who we really are.” #Sense8
Մարտիրոս Սարյան: "Իմ կարծիքով, մեզ՝ որպես արևելյան ժողովրդի, չափազանց կպատշաճեր բազմագույն դրոշը, որն ի հայտ է բերում ինքը` չքնաղ և հավերժ գեղեցիկ ծիածանը:"(source)
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