London Pride 2016 (photo story)

 "We'll miss EU" - reflection on EU referendum #Brexit

 Queer Strike

“No bigots. No borders. Tories out. Refugees in.”

Solidarity with Orlando

Trafalgar square

Leicester square

Soho

Cafe Nero, Soho

Oxford street

US Ambassador and UN office in Armenia in solidarity with LGBT activists amid homophobic hysteria and threats following groundbreaking Rainbow forum

A group of homophobic Putin fans in Armenia announced their plan to stage a protest action on 6 November against US Ambassador’s statement in front of... the EU office in Yerevan. These guys certainly need a geography lesson. Along with many other lessons, of course. Well, at least one of them was recently outed on Facebook as a closeted gay. Some revealing Skype chat screenshots were in circulation in what perhaps the first such exposé in Armenia.

But lets forget about these people, they were mentioned here for entertainment purposes only.

Back to the important matters. Great move and statement by the US ambassador in Armenia. Respects.

[more about groundbreaking Rainbow Armenia Forum: here; more about threats received: here. Unzipped: Gay Armenia will make a separate post on Rainbow Forum.]

*picture - via PINK Armenia

*via US Embassy in Armenia

US Ambassador Meets with PINK NGO Representatives, Expresses Concern about Threats of Violence Issued against Them

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Jr., visited the offices of the Public Information and Need of Knowledge (PINK) NGO on Thursday, October 29, 2015.

The group briefed the Ambassador on their recent Rainbow Forum, a gathering organized by PINK earlier this month in Lori, which focused on ways to protect the basic human rights of the members of the Armenian LGBT community.

During his visit, PINK representatives described to Ambassador Mills the very real and extreme threats they’ve received since the forum took place, including death threats made against several of its members. The group recently submitted a formal complaint about the threats to the Armenian Prosecutor General.

The U.S. Embassy is deeply troubled by these threats, and condemns in the strongest possible terms such calls for violence. The U.S. Embassy expects the Armenian authorities to fully investigate these threats and protect the basic human rights of the group’s members and all LGBT residents and minority communities in Armenia.

“I have been in Armenia long enough, and spoken to enough Armenians throughout the country, to know that violence and hatred are not part of Armenian society and values.  I urge Armenians to reject these calls to violence.  Those who would espouse such strong hatred of people simply for being different do not adhere to Armenian values as I have seen them,” Ambassador Mills said.
***
And another important statement by UN office in Armenia:

The United Nations in Armenia is concerned about the recent manifestations of aggressive homophobia and threats of violence against LGBTI activists particularly in social media, following a recent meeting held by activists.

The threat of violence against any group cannot be tolerated, and all persons should be allowed freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and not be subject to discrimination and intimidation.

We call upon the authorities to investigate and prosecute incidents of harassment and abuse against the LGBTI community, to discourage all hate speech, and to take measures to foster tolerance.

Through its international obligations Armenia has made laudable commitments to non-discrimination and tolerance, and the respect of human rights, including those of the ethnic, religious and sexual minorities.

The United Nations stands ready to support Armenia in these commitments. See also the recent global call of the UN for an end to violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons.
 ***
More international reaction, this time as a statement of concern by Frontline Defenders human rights group:

LGBTI rights defenders and participants in the first Armenian LGBTI forum have been exposed to ongoing harassment and personal threats since the publication of an article about the forum and its participants on 20 October 2015. […]

Front Line Defenders expresses its concern over the harassment against members of PINK Armenia and other LGBTI forum participants, and the personal death threats they are facing on social media and in person, and believes these acts to be an attempt to prevent LGBTI rights defenders from carrying out their peaceful and legitimate advocacy in defence of human rights.

Armenia president’s administration, ministries respond to LGBT rights letter

While replies from both president’s administration and ministries are vague and do not suggest any commitment by the authorities for tackling discrimination based no sexual orientation and gender identity, what is more important here is that PINK Armenia defied status quo and challenged relevant state bodies re their commitment for LGBT rights and against discrimination. It is the first time I could recall that Armenia president’s administration replies to LGBT rights related formal query.
***
Via PINK Armenia: “Necessary prerequisites exist in RA legislation to exclude any act of discrimination” - reads a formal reply from the administration of Armenia president in response to letter by PINK Armenia calling Armenian authorities to the call of PINK Armenia to protect LGBT rights.

To mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, PINK Armenia addressed a letter to the Armenia president Serj Sargsyan, several ministries and MPs, with a call to provide in the Republic of Armenia legal provisions for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and to monitor cases of discrimination against LGBT people. The administration of the president noted further that “if there is a need for further legislative regulations, it should be noted that the president of the Republic of Armenia has no right to initiate legislation”.

PINK Armenia also urged president Serj Sargsyan not to award national prizes to individuals and organisations who spread blatant hate speech against LGBT citizens of Armenia and the persons involved in the protection of their rights, to which head of legal department of the president’s staff Grigor Muradyan clarified in the response letter that the person’s worldview is not considered when awarding prizes “if that person does not display any illegal behavior which is to become a subject of assessment of authorities in each specific case”. This part is particularly vague and

Replies were received from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Justice too.

The Ministry of Justice noted that they have conducted a legal study on relevance of having a separate piece of legislation to combat discrimination, where the matters regarding discrimination have been analysed. [Unzipped: Gay Armenia - I wonder what did they conclude?!…]

The Ministry also reminded that in 2010 the Gender Policy Concept Paper was approved and Republic of Armenia Gender Policy Strategic Program for 2011-2015 was confirmed. [Unzipped: Gay Armenia - Unfortunately, these positive gender related initiatives are effectively stopped now, following Russia inspired hysteric anti-EU outburst]

The letter from the Ministry of Health stated that the issue is outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. However, the Ministry of Health is willing to provide assistance if recommendations from relevant bodies are made.

British and Swedish ambassadors in Yerevan and Tbilisi mark IDAHOT 2015, while others kept silence

Great statement from the British Embassy in Yerevan and Ambassador Kathy Leach to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Glad to see the UK's support, as we share common goal:

"The UK has always been next to the individuals and organizations that are under very challenging circumstances trying to promote LGBT rights locally and globally." 

"No one should face discrimination because of who they are and who they love. Our goal is a diverse, respectful and fair world."

Full statement below and on British embassy's Facebook page

In a related separate development, respects to the Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia and Armenia, Martina Quick, who stood next to LGBT activists and allies in Tbilisi today, marking IDAHOT 2015 in a small but peaceful event, under police protection.

Celebrating #IDAHO #IDAHO2015 with H.E. @martinaquick. #17MayTbilisi2015 #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/ItJLFp5Xdw

— Eka Rostomashvili (@ERostomashvili) May 17, 2015

Good to see Swedish Ambassador @martinaquick at the morning #IDAHOT action. Alas, didn't see others... #LGBT #Tbilisi pic.twitter.com/zbOxUoO9Dm

— Onnik J. Krikorian (@onewmphoto) May 17, 2015

[For more about IDAHOT events in Tbilisi: here]

Unfortunately, at time of writing this post, there has been no statement from the US embassy in Armenia, although embassy's Twitter and FB pages shared some general LGBT related human rights messages. [UPDATE: 19 May 2015 U.S. Ambassador in Armenia marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia]

Pretty astonishing of all was a position of the EU delegation in Armenia. A total silence, that is, i.e. ZERO mention of IDAHOT by them. Instead, their Twitter account was busy sharing concert pictures and selfie. They did not even share the EU's statement on IDAHOT. They got my big FAIL mark.

***
#‎IDAHOT2015‬ Day Statement

May 17 is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This is a day marked globally to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Despite progress in some parts of the world, there is still a lot to be done both to fight against prejudice and also to ensure everyone is equally protected under the law.

The UK has always been next to the individuals and organizations that are under very challenging circumstances trying to promote LGBT rights locally and globally. Here in British Embassy Yerevan we have welcomed and supported the efforts of local LGBT activists, media and bloggers. This year an LGBT community dedicated media started to function – www.lgbtnews.am – which took the local efforts a step further.

No one should face discrimination because of who they are and who they love. Our goal is a diverse, respectful and fair world.

Kathy Leach
British Embassy Yerevan

EU sees "limited" human rights progress in Armenia and calls authorities to adopt LGBT inclusive anti-discrimination legislation

In an annual report to assess the implementation of whatever remained from the European Neighbourhood Policy in Armenia, EU noted "no tangible developments in the implementation and enforcement of legislation on human rights and fundamental freedoms", and overall "limited progress on deep and sustainable democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms".

Among its recommendations, EU calls Armenia authorities to adopt and implement a "comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation":

• adopting and implementing a comprehensive anti-discrimination law; implementing and monitoring implementation of the law on equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men, including taking further steps towards harmonising legislation in this area with the EU acquis; adopting the law on domestic violence

EU report states: "Armenia still does not have a comprehensive legal framework against discrimination. The human rights action plan only suggested assessing the compatibility of relevant Armenian legislation with international law and weighing the merits of adopting an anti-discrimination law. No measures were put in place to protect the rights of LGBTI people, while discrimination and hostility continued to be a major problem. There was also widespread discrimination against people with disabilities with regard to their economic, social and cultural rights. People with disabilities were also socially segregated in all areas." [emphasis mine]

Full report is available here.

PACE delegates: Armenian authorities fail to condemn incitement to hatred against LGBT people

Below is a statement [Written declaration No. 584 | Doc. 13690 | 28 January 2015] by 22 delegates of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe):

[For background: Tabloid of hate: virulent homophobia awarded by Armenia president’s state medal and stamped by court’s approval]

On 17 May 2014 the Armenian newspaper ‘Iravunk’ published an article on its website entitled “They serve the interests of international homo-addiction [sic] lobbying: the blacklist of the country’s and nation’s enemies”. It attacked “homosexual lobbyists” for trying to “aggressively enforce their moral dogma on our country”. Demanding “zero tolerance”, it identified 60 people, calling for them to be ostracised, denied employment and access to the media, and excluded from participation “in the upbringing of younger generations”.

The chair of the ‘Iravunk’ board, Hayk Babukhanyan, is an MP for Armenia’s governing political faction, the Republican Party.

The authorities have failed to condemn this incitement to hatred and discrimination. On the contrary, on 25 October Mr Babukhanyan was awarded a medal of honour by the President of Armenia. A law suit against “Iravunk” for defamation was dismissed six days later.

We call upon:

• Armenia’s delegates to this Assembly, particularly those from the Republican Party, to impress upon colleagues the need to refrain from incitement to hatred and discrimination;

• The Armenian authorities to condemn such incitement unreservedly and to put in place measures to implement the Committee of Ministers Recommendation on combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Ms Petra De SUTTER, Belgium, SOC

Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, EPP/CD

Mr Claude ADAM, Luxembourg, SOC

Mr Paride ANDREOLI, San Marino, SOC

Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC

Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON, Sweden, SOC

Ms Monica HAIDER, Sweden, SOC

Ms Eva-Lena JANSSON, Sweden, SOC

Ms Lotta JOHNSSON FORNARVE, Sweden, UEL

Mr Pierre-Yves LE BORGN', France, SOC

Mr Philippe MAHOUX, Belgium, SOC

Ms Marit MAIJ, Netherlands, SOC

Ms Liliane MAURY PASQUIER, Switzerland, SOC

Mr Michael McNAMARA, Ireland, SOC

Ms Ana Catarina MENDONÇA, Portugal, SOC

Ms Marie-Claude MORIN, Canada

Ms Melita MULIĆ, Croatia, SOC

Mr Michele NICOLETTI, Italy, SOC

Ms Carina OHLSSON, Sweden, SOC

Ms Maria de Belém ROSEIRA, Portugal, SOC

Ms Deborah SCHEMBRI, Malta, SOC

Ms Tineke STRIK, Netherlands, SOC

Tabloid of hate: virulent homophobia awarded by Armenia president’s state medal and stamped by court’s approval

I’d like to start this pretty depressing post on a somehow lighter note, with a joke (AM), posted on Facebook for this occasion by user A.N.:

- Բարև ձեզ։ Բեղիկներով պահպանակ ունե՞ք։
- Ունենք, բայց էսօր գնացել ա մեդալ ստանալու։

In an article “They serve the interests of international homosexual lobby: the blacklist of country’s and nation’s enemies”, Iravunk tabloid listed 60 individuals with the links to their Facebook pages, calling them “zombies”, “traitors” and more.

"On 17th of May, 2014, the editor-in-chief of “Iravunk” newspaper Hovhannes Galajyan published an article on the newspaper’s website titled “They serve the interests of international homosexual lobbying: the blacklist of country’s and nation’s enemies.” In the article, the author presents a “blacklist” containing Facebook hyperlinks of 60 people, makes offensive statements addressed to those persons and calls for “Ordinary people to stop communicating with the lobbyist on the internet, as well as in real life, not to greet them, not to help them with any issues, not to engage in any business relations with them; state officials not to hire those lobbyists for public service jobs, and if they already work there, to fire them under any convenient pretext.” For employers to do the same and for the co-owners of media companies, so those lobbyists won’t be given any chance to make an influence on public opinion and also for “the heads of educational institutions, so they won’t let the lobbyists to participate in the upbringing of younger generations.” […]
On 30th of May, 2014, several citizens whose names appeared in the “blacklist” have sent a letter to the president of the editorial board of Iravunk, Haik Babukhanyan, and the editor-in-chief Hovhannes Galajyan, where they pointed out that the article contains insults, and also requested them to deny the information written in the article. This request was denied and in 03.06.2014 another article was published titled as “And they still dare to request a denial?” in which Iravunk continued to insult and give inaccurate information. In particular, such expressions as “this creature,” “filthy biography” and more were aimed at those who requested denial of the untrue information."

A statement posted by PINK Armenia reads:

“Today the court rejected the case of 16 individuals against Iravunk newspaper. Earlier the Armenian newspaper Iravunk published a ‘blacklist’ of Armenians connected to the LGBT community that it claimed to be enemies of the nation.

Few days ago this homophobic paper’s founding editor and two other workers received Medal of Honor from the president of RA. The president of National Assembly of RA also congratulated the founding editor of the newspaper, who is a MP and a member of Republican Fraction as well.

We believe that high level support of official reflected on the decision of the Court and this shows once more that hate speech and homophobia is highly supported by the high level officials of Armenia, and this creates atmosphere of impunity, gives floor for hate crime and fascism in the country.”

Courts in Armenia are not independent, rarely making decisions that contravene ruling regime’s position. Not only court rejected the lawsuit on the basis of “freedom of expression” (how 'noble' of them!) but obliged citizens to make payments in favour of Iravunk paper to compensate their expenses. Activists will pursue available legal channels to appeal the court’s verdict and, depending on circumstances, may reach the European court of human rights too.

Epress.am reports from the courtroom: “After the judge read the verdict nearly ten people began clapping in favor of the decision. Among them was “Iravunk Media” company director, Republican Party faction MP Hayk Babukhanyan (pictured on right), who just last week was awarded the Movses Khorenatsi Medal by President Serzh Sargsyan for the 25th anniversary of the Iravunk paper.”



To remind, this tabloid consistently and systematically publishes articles and other postings full of hate speech and virulent homophobia.

[Hate: Armenian tabloid Iravunk advocates killing of gays]

As I mentioned in past: “As a rule, one hate goes hand in hand with another hate. If you look at Iravunk’s articles, they are not just homophobic, but racist, full of hate to everyone who is different. If you are not gay, you would have still be hated by Galadjyan-like people. For ‘different’ ethnicity, colour of your eyes (skin), music you listen to, films you watch, T-shirt you wear. Anything, really, which is outside of their sad, little and narrow-minded world.”

To sum up: Ruling regime in Armenia turning hate into a state ideology and awarding hatemongers with state awards. Here is a shameful link to the the presidential press-release from the award’s ceremony and picture via president.am.

This picture will be remembered among the most shameful pages of the modern history of Republic of Armenia. Pretty disgusting sight.

And let’s not forget that this story is just part of the growing overall trend. Put this story into a broader perspective of impunity and culture of violence in Armenia supported on a highest state level, like recent re-appointment of Surik Khachatryan (nicknamed “Liska”) - notorious for violent conduct - as governor of Syunik region, and the complete picture is even more depressing.

P.S. This case was picked up by popular international publications buzzfeed (+ here), gaystarnews and more.

Armenia Eurovision national jury’s Arshakyan sisters re Conchita and LGBT: ‘Mental health patients are repulsive’

UPDATE 16 May 2014: Armenia Eurovision national jury Arshakyan sisters profoundly apologised for homophobic and other pretty shameful statements. They said they have no negative attitude towards gays, transvestites, mental health patients… [For details and video link - see comments section]
***
Says Armenia’s Eurovision national jury member Anush Arshakyan: “I put Conchita towards the bottom of the ranking due to my internal repulsion [towards Conchita]”.

In an interview with Aravot daily, Anush said she was shocked that by sms votes, Conchita was No. 2 in Armenia. [Read: Conchita crowned Queen of Eurovision: “We are unity and we are unstoppable” amid outrage at national jury vote in South Caucasus]

She then continued: “I find this phenomenon repulsive, the same way I find mental health patients repulsive”.

Her sister, another jury member Inga Arshakyan was next to her during the interview and we may safely assume she shares Anush’s views. [To remind, this year’s national jury members Inga and Anush Arshakyan represented Armenia in Eurovision 2009 finishing 10th.]

«Ես վերջին տեղը տվել եմ ադրբեջանցիներին եւ նախավերջինը՝ Կոնչիտային: Նրան վերջին տեղերում էի դրել՝ ներքին հակակրանքից դրդված: Նա միայն հակակրանք էր առաջացնում: Եվ ես ապշած եմ, որ sms քվեարկությամբ 2-րդ տեղ են տվել Կոնչիտային: Ես չգիտեմ, թե ովքեր են քվեարկողները եղել, բայց ես չեմ կարծում, որ մեր ամբողջ ժողովուրդը լավ վերաբերմունք ունի այդ անձի հանդեպ»,- Aravot.am-ի հետ զրույցում մեր հարցին, թե ինչու էին «Եվրատեսիլի» տրանսվեստիտ մասնակից Կոնչիտային Հայաստանում ցածր միավորներ տվել՝ այսպես պատասխանեց Արշակյան քույրերից մեկը՝ Անուշ Արշակյանը: Ինգան եւ Անուշը միանգամից դեմքի արտահայտությունը փոխեցին եւ զզվանքով ձեռքերով խաչ արեցին, երբ Կոնչիտայի անունը տվեցինք: […] 

Մեր դիտարկմանը, որ ասում են՝ պետք է հարգել փոքրամասնությանը՝ Անուշ Արշակյանը պատասխանեց. «Հարգանքի աստիճաններ կան: Եթե խոսենք տոլեռանդության մասին, ամենատարածված բանն է Եվրոպայում, ապա ես երեւի թե դեմ եմ ցանկացած ձեւի ագրեսիային եւ ցանկացած տեսակի մարդկային բնաջնջմանը դեմ եմ: Եթե համարենք, որ այդ մարդիկ հիվանդ են, նրանց կարելի է բուժել եւ այդ առումով իմ հակակրանքը հասկանալի է: Ինչպես հոգեկան հիվանդն է հակակրանք առաջացնում, այնպես էլ նման երեւույթները: Իմ հակակրանքը ճիշտ այդպիսին է: Ես ոչ թե ագրեսիվ եմ, այլ՝ մերժողական այդպիսի դրսեւորումների հանդեպ»:  

And this is what supposed to be a “professional jury” ??? Armenia’s national jury should be disqualified, and its members should not be allowed to serve in any jury contest, or any event.

They are shame not only for Armenia, but for Eurovision in general.

Not only they are homophobic, not only they accepted that they voted based on anything but professional assessments, but they offend patients with mental health problems too. This is beyond words shocking and disgusting. And to think that there was time I quite liked the sisters…

Thank you, Conchita. Your win was like a litmus test.

Georgia PM’s EU trick: ‘OK for LGBT inclusive anti-discrimination bill, but only if we discriminate more, constitutionally’

Georgia's PM offers setting constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as a trade-off for passing LGBT inclusive anti-discrimination bill. Basically, on one hand, the authorities in Tbilisi are showing-off with anti-discrimination bill to tick all the EU check boxes, on the other hand, in practice, constitutionally reinforcing the very discrimination they (supposedly) committed to tackle.

In parallel to endorsing an anti-discrimination bill, which will now be submitted to Parliament for confirmation, the Georgian government has also proposed to define marriage in the constitution as a “union of man and woman.” The proposal, as PM Irakli Garibashvili put it, aims at avoiding “speculation” over the planned anti-discrimination legislation, which will provide protection against discrimination on the ground of, among others, sexual orientation. Adoption of this legislation is among requirements set in Georgia’s Visa Liberalisation Action Plan with the EU. Article 36 of the Georgian constitution currently reads: “Marriage shall be based upon equality of rights and free will of spouses.” Same-sex marriage is already banned in Georgia’s civil code, which defines marriage as “voluntary union of man and woman.”

For the European Union to accept the proposed ‘solution’ would make a mockery of the very idea of anti-discrimination legislation they are trying to enforce. This would be a dangerous precedent, indeed. What is a point of anti-discrimination bill if as a result of its approval you are getting discrimination constitutionally reinforced?! I’d say better not have such legislation at all.

If Georgia is not ready yet to move closer towards the EU, then it's not ready. The EU should never agree with such artificial and unacceptable trade-off, which is nothing less than throwing dust in the eyes.

As Georgian gay rights group Identoba noted, the country is on a “dangerous path” with proposed homophobic amendment in the constitution.

[…] Campaigning on  xenophobic and recently, on homophobic grounds has been a strategy of choice for most political players in the country, since it gained independence in the 1990s. The initiative came as  shock to many, since the issue of same-sex marriage has never come to the agenda of LGBT movement in Georgia which has struggled to exercise basic rights to security and protection. In 2012 and in 2013, under UNM and GD parties being in power, respectively, Georgia has consistently failed to ensure the freedom of assembly for Georgian LGBT activists. Georgia has not been able to persecute a single person for the horrific attacks against LGBT activists and supporters on  May 17th, IDAHO day. Therefore, constitutionally banning the prospect of marriage equality, already banned by Georgia’s Civil Code, can only be seen as a homophobic move. It further deteriorates already feeble state of LGBT human rights in Georgia. If the amendment is successfully initiated, it will directly violate universal equality of single parents, LGBT community and many others who do not live nuclear families. Alarmingly, this homophobic and cynical move ultimately kills the very spirit of equality protection of incoming Anti-Discrimination Law. 
Identoba, Georgia’s largest LGBT and gender equality protection NGO calls on all parties to speak up against proposed changes in Georgia’s Constitution.

Historic first: Armenia activist holds rainbow flag during #PUTinOUT protest action in Yerevan

People took to the streets in Armenian capital Yerevan to say to the visiting Russian president: “Putin, you are not welcome in Armenia”, or using Twitter language - #PUTinOUT. They were out in the streets to denounce ruling regime. For more details, see Unzipped - #PUTinOUT - protesters in Armenia say “Putin, you are not welcome”, denounce ruling regime

It was also a historic day for Armenian LGBT rights movement. A well known brave activist Lala Aslikyan brought a rainbow flag, symbol of LGBT rights movement, to the protest march. Big respects, Lala !!

She made history today by holding rainbow flag during a protest action in Armenia. For the first time ever.

*source: "Кавказский узел"

*source: @nkayserian

*source: CivilNet.am

After the march she was followed by police and detained along with other fellow activists, although there is no indication that they were detained because of holding rainbow flag, but rather as part of a massive crackdown on all anti-regime, anti-Putin activists. They were later released.



But apart from being forcibly taken away and detained by police, holding rainbow flag didn’t pass without an incident.

Lala and friends were attacked and harassed by members of ultra-nationalist, neo-nazi like Hayazn group that recently transformed into a party. This was the same group that attacked Diversity march last year, as well as screening of gay-themed Parada film in Yerevan. They were part of diverse groups and individuals (ranging from ultra-nationalist, far right to very liberal) taking part in a protest action against Russian president visit and against Armenia ruling regime decision to join Russia led customs union. [see below videos of the attack]





Lala (and friend) bravely defended her right, as a free citizen, to march with the flag she prefers, saying that no one can interfere with her decision and she will hold the flag regardless of any hostility.

Activists were successful in defending the flag. It remained with them without being torn down or taken away.

Remember this date: 2 December 2013. This was the first time ever in Armenian history that a rainbow flag was held at a protest action. Interestingly, that particular flag has a history of its own. It was used in Genocide memorial day protests in front of the Turkish Embassy in Paris for several years in 2000s.

Of course, the appearance of rainbow flag will be exploited by pro-Russian forces who are full of scare mongering tactics, equalling EU with being gay. But hey, they have been doing that for months now, regardless of rainbow flag appearance. Indeed, it is very relevant to have rainbow flag during any protest action against Putin, taking into account his anti-gay policies in Russia and their influence on surrounding post-Soviet countries.

"За вашу и нашу свободу”.

***

And report by epress.am (AM)

Ծիածանի դրոշը Պուտինի դեմ երթի մասնակիցների միջև վեճի առարկա է դարձել Այսօր, ժամը 15։45-ի սահմաններում Հյուսիսային պողոտայից բերման են ենթարկել ակտիվիստներ Լալա Ասլիկյանին, Սևակ Կիրակոսյանին, Արևիկ Մարտիրոսյանին: Դրանից մի ժամ առաջ Ասլիկյանից խլել էին տեսախցիկը, իսկ բերման ենթարկելուց մի քանի րոպե առաջ ոստիկանները մոտեցել են Ասլիկյանին և ասել, որ տեսախցիկը կարող է «գնալ վերցնել ոստիկաններից»՝ Հանրապետության հրապարակից: Ակտիվիստը պատասխանել է, որ իր տեսախցիկը ոտքեր չունի և պահանջել է, որպեսզի ոստիկանները բերեն այն: Մի քանի րոպե անց մոտ 20 ոստիկաններ մոտեցել են նստարանին նստած ակտիվիստներին և, բռնի ուժ գործադրելով, տարել են բաժին՝ առանց բացատրություն տալու: Այդ պահին ակտիվիստների ձեռքին էր Ուկրաինայի դրոշը և ծիածանի դրոշը, որը միջազգայինորեն հայտնի է որպես ԼԳԲՏ համայնքի դրոշ: Նույն ծիածանի դրոշի պատճառով այսօր անցկացված երթի ժամանակ Ասլիկյանի վրա հարձակում են գործել բողոքի ակցիայի մասնակից՝ «Հայազն» կուսակցության ներկայացուցիչները: «Հայազն»-ի երիտասարդները փորձել են Ասլիկյանի ձեռքից խլել դրոշը, պահանջել են հեռացնել այն։ Երթի այլ մասնակիցները միջամտել են վեճին ու հանդարտեցրել «Հայազն»-ի երիտասարդներին։ Նշենք, որ այս պահին Լալա Ասլիկյանը և մյուս բերման են ակտիվիստները գտնվում են ոստիկանության Կենտրոնի բաժնում։

Armenia human rights ombudsman uses anti-gay undertones to beg for more money from state budget

Here we are. Not only Armenia human rights ombudsman flirts with neo-nazi but uses anti-gay undertones to ask for more money from the state budget.

Responding to journalists questions, after trying to secure more money for his agency from the state budget, he reiterated his intention to be consistent to get rid of “moral perversion”. Once again, he was referring to trans sex workers and gay cruising area. Exploitation of this issue in Armenia is simply used to fuel anti-gay prejudice and discrimination. Ombudsman knows this pretty well, and wants to re-invent himself as a fighter for “morality”. Ha!

Օմբուդսմենը լրագրողների հետ զրույցում խոսել է նաև Կոմայգու խնդրից՝ հայտնելով, որ իրենք հետևողական են լինելու, որպեսզի մանկական այգին ազատվի այլասերվածությունից։  «Եթե առաջիկա շաբաթներին և ամիսներին չտեսնենք գործընթացներ, դուք նորից մեզնից կլսեք մեր պահանջի մասին»,- ասել է Կ․Անդրեասյանը։

As I mentioned in my earlier post [Scandalous: Armenia human rights ombudsman targets trans sex workers and cites neo-nazi website as a basis for his statement], couple of weeks ago, ombudsman Karen Andreasyan issued a statement full of discriminatory language and references to “morality” as opposed to human rights.

What was worse, as a ground for his statement he cited neo-nazi web site (!) and their article full of homophobia and hatred.

In past, I did have hopes that this ombudsman may have devotion to human rights. But apparently he was simply playing a role at a time when Armenia was seemingly on a path to European integration. Now, with the decision to join Russia led Customs Union, there is no longer need to play a ‘human rights devotee’.

The institute of human rights ombudsman is supposed to be an important body to safeguard human rights of citizens. However, if this institute is led by people like Andreasyan, whether we have such institute or not, will not be making any difference.

Either human rights ombudsman has to be someone who is devoted to the notion of human rights, or I’d say ditch the institute altogether and divert the state budget money to other areas, e.g. pension. I would also advise international human rights bodies and foreign embassies in Armenia to stop taking ombudsman Karen Andreasyan seriously and not wasting their time and resources on him.

He is not an ombudsman. He is a joke.

P.S. The action. Photo, video, media reports: Armenia human rights activists protest and enter CoE conference in Yerevan exposing ruling regime’s hypocrisy

Perfect example of peaceful resistance by human rights activists in Armenia, who acted upon by exposing hypocrisy of ruling regime. Big respects !!

Perhaps, for the first time homophobia, anti-gay violence, along with other instances of intolerance and xenophobia in Armenia were so publicly and prominently confronted gaining wide publicity.

For more background info, read Unzipped: Text-book hypocrisy: Armenia hosts Council of Europe conference on combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance in Europe

Selected examples of photo, video, media and Twitter reports below.

Peaceful Demonstrators at COE conference today on tolerance. Thanks for being here. pic.twitter.com/sk7ExbGwIp
— Amb Heffern (@AmbHeffern) October 21, 2013

Pleased that Arm is hosting @coe Combatting Xenophobia conference. Amb Aves at opening session. Good that demonstrators had their say too.
— UK in Armenia (@UKinArmenia) October 21, 2013

Protesters entered the conference hall where the international conference “Fight against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Europe” was taking place - photos by Photolure

*Picture perfect

Epress: VIDEO: Armenian Activists Interrupt Conference on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance

 A group of peaceful activists staged a protest in Yerevan today during a “High Level Conference on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Europe” organized by the Council of Europe. The conference takes place in the frramework of theArmenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE).

Recall, according to the CoE website: “During the conference the participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon racism and xenophobia in political discourse, the role of human rights institutions in combating racial and ethnic discrimination, as well as topics related to combating hate speech and racial stereotypes on social networks and media.”

At 10:15 am, demonstrators protested outside the Armenia Marriott Hotel, where the conference was being held, pointing to the hypocrisy of Armenia’s authorities organizing such a conference. The activists recalled Armenian authorities’ reactions after the bombing of gay-friendly bar DIY, the threats against women’s rights organizations, and discrimination against members of the LGBT community.

The placards the activists held depicted the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Coat of Arms, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, RA Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Khachik Asryan, and National Assembly Vice-President, HHK spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov.

When RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian declared the conference had begun, the activists entered the hall where the conference was being held with the placards in hand.

Hotel security personnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff, and the police attempted to escort them outside, but activists stood with their placards in front of the invited guests and stayed for about half an hour while the conference continued.

ArmeniaNow: Protesters disrupt high-level international conference in Yerevan

A number of protesters broke security and entered the conference hall at Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan today to make their message heard by participants of an international event taking place there. 
The high-level conference attended by Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland is entitled “Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Europe”. 

The activists held banners accusing the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) of “xenophobia and racism” and raising issues of women’s and LGBT people’s rights in Armenia.

In particular, they accused senior RPA member Edward Sharmazanov as well as leading representative of the opposition Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan of supporting those who bomb-fired an LGBT-friendly bar in Yerevan in May 2012.

The banners also mentioned another RPA member, Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Khachik Asryan, who called for burning an oppositionist at the stake over her critical comments earlier this month.

Hetq Online (with great photo-story): Protestors Disrupt International “Hate Crime” Conference in Yerevan

Activists protesting state sponsored discrimination and intolerance towards women and other minorities in Armenia, greeted participants as they entered Yerevan’s Marriott Hotel this morning for a conference entitled “Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Europe”  Holding banners accusing the ruling Republican Party in Armenia and its officials as actually fomenting “hate crime”, the activists argued that the government itself should be the focus of the conference.

CivilNet (AM): Բողոքի ակցիա` Եվրոպայում խտրականության դեմ համաժողովի ընթացքում



[PINK Armenia: Appeal to the participants of the Council of Europe conference]

CivilNet (AM): Մի խումբ քաղաքացիների կոչը եվրոպացի պաշտոնյաներին

News.am - report, photos and video (AM) «Ֆաշիստական կուսակցության հետ չի կարելի քննարկել ֆաշիզմի հաղթահարումը». ակտիվիստները ներխուժել են դահլիճ 

Panorama.am - report, photos (AM) Ակտիվիստները եվրոպացիներին բողոքում են հայ «ֆաշիստներից», իսկ Հեֆֆերն էլ նրանց էր նկարում (լուսանկարներ)

Video by A1+ (AM): Իրարանցում խորհրդաժողովի ժամանակ

Human Rights Watch letter to Armenia president regarding proposal for anti-LGBT legislation

Excellent. Right to the point. The letter by Human Rights Watch, dated 12 August 2013 (see pdf file), publicised yesterday.

For additional background info, read: Testing grounds: anti-gay ‘propaganda’ bill proposed, then swiftly withdrawn in Armenia

**

Letter to Armenian President Regarding Proposal for Anti-LGBT Legislation

OCTOBER 18, 2013

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES: 

Human Rights Watch letter to President Sargsyan

Any measures to limit LGBT peoples’ freedom of expression and assembly on the basis of their sexual or gender identity would further reflect the Armenian government’s noncompliance with its obligations to promote tolerance towards LGBT people and protect them against discrimination. They could also possibly condone homophobia and transphobia, which contributes to a climate of hatred and violence.

Serzh Sargsyan
President
Republic of Armenia
26 Marshal Baghramian Avenue
0077 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

Cc:
Tigran Sargsyan
Prime Minister
Republic of Armenia
Republic Square, Government House 1
0010 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

Hovik Abrahamyan
Speaker of the Parliament
National Assembly of Armenia
19 Marshal Baghramian Avenue
0095 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

Dear Mr. Sargsyan,

We are writing to express our concern regarding a proposal for legislative amendments that appeared on the website of the Police of the Republic of Armenia on August 5. The proposals sought to add two articles to the Code of Administrative Offenses outlawing the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations,” a move that would be in clear violation of freedom of expression and discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

The police have since removed the proposal from its website, and media reports indicate that there are no immediate plans for parliament to consider it. However, we are concerned that other institutions may seek to introduce similar proposals and ask that you ensure that such measures are forcefully opposed as incompatible with international human rights law and would not advance for parliamentary debate.

The proposal claimed the ban would “protect” Armenian families. It would impose fines of up to 350 times Armenia’s minimum wage on citizens, public officials, and legal entities who breach the law. The proposal did not define “propaganda” or “nontraditional sexual relations.”

The broad wording of the proposal meant that it could have been used to restrict the rights of human rights organizations, civil society groups, or anyone else who works on issues such as the rights of LGBT people or sex workers. It also would have discriminated against LGBT people on grounds of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Armenian civil society organizations learned of the proposal only when it was published on the website of the Police of the Republic of Armenia.

Measures such as those proposed by the police are illegal under international human rights instruments that Armenia is obliged to uphold. They impose unjustified – and therefore unlawful – restrictions on the freedoms of expression and assembly, in violation of articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Armenia is a party to both. They also violate the international prohibition on discrimination, guaranteed by both instruments.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has unanimously adopted a set of recommendations (CM/Rec (2010)5) to member states, including Armenia, on measures to combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. The recommendations invite the member states to ensure that the stipulated principles and measures are applied in national legislation, policies, and practices relevant to the protection of LGBT people. Relevant recommendations are:

1. Examine existing legislative and other measures, keep them under review, and collect and analyze relevant data, in order to monitor and redress any direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity;

1. Ensure that legislative and other measures are adopted and effectively implemented to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, to ensure respect for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and to promote tolerance towards them.

Measures such as those in the proposal directly contradict the Council of Europe recommendations.

Civil society organizations in Armenia have expressed concern over the government’s failure to protect the social, economic and political rights of LGBT people. LGBT people continue to face discrimination in accessing employment and healthcare, as well as violence in the army and in families. The government has yet to pass a law banning hate crimes in Armenia, leaving LGBT people vulnerable to abuses such as the repeated homophobic attacks against the DIY pub during May 2012. A draft law currently under consideration by parliament outlawing discrimination on the grounds of sex, ethnicity, and age omits sexual orientation from its considerations.

Any measures to limit LGBT peoples’ freedom of expression and assembly on the basis of their sexual or gender identity would further reflect the Armenian government’s noncompliance with its obligations to promote tolerance towards LGBT people and protect them against discrimination. They could also possibly condone homophobia and transphobia, which contributes to a climate of hatred and violence.

We call on the Armenian government to support LGBT peoples’ human rights and take actions to curb the passage of any measures that violate the European Convention on Human Rights and other international instruments to which Armenia is party.

Sincerely,

Rachel Denber
Deputy Director
Europe and Central Asia Division