Workshop Held on Principle of Equality and Challenges of Discrimination in RA

On April 17-18, the HCA Vanadzor held a workshop in Aghveran on Principle of Equality and Challenges of Discrimination in RA, with the financial support of the OSF-Armenia. The workshop aimed to raise awareness among the staff of the RA MoH psycho-neurologic facilities and RA MoJ penitentiary facilities, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders of human rights, principle of equality, forms and challenges of discrimination through enhanced knowledge and exchange of experience. The workshop was attended by representatives of the RA Ministry of Justice Penitentiary Department and offices, RA Ministry of Health Inpatient Medical Care Policy Department and psycho-neurologic facilities, journalists, lawyers and civic activists. The workshop participants learnt about the forms of discrimination, measures to combat discrimination and their significance. Also, the workshop featured the provisions for combating discrimination as prescribed by the national legislation and international agreements. During the plenary discussions, the speakers raised the issues of some vulnerable groups suffering discrimination in Armenia and the forms of discrimination they suffered. In particular, Marieta Temuryan, HCA Vanadzor Monitoring Specialist, Expert on Rights of Persons with Mental Health Problems, introduced the forms of discrimination against persons with mental health problems, as well as the issues at stake and the issues and shortcomings revealed at psychiatric facilities through monitoring by the HCA Vanadzor. Suzanna Gharaghashyan, HCA Vanadzor Lawyer on Patients Rights, featured the issues and forms of discrimination against drug users. Ruben Sargsyan, member of Public Observers Group Conducting Public Monitoring of the RA MoJ Penitentiary Agencies and Facilities, highlighted the current issues at the facilities above. Also, activist and publicist, Zaruhi Hovhannisyan spoke about the violations of the women’s rights and issues related to protection of such rights in the RA, and Sergey Gabrielyan, Chairman of the New Generation NGO spoke about the issues faced by the LGBT community as well as violations of the rights of the LGBT persons and intolerance and discrimination against them in Armenia. The workshop participants held active discussions to reveal the forms of discrimination and target groups in the RA and conducted practical activities to determine issues of their concern and find ways to their resolution. When talking about the workshop, Anahit Chilingaryan, HCA Vanadzor Legal Analyses and Initiatives Department Coordinator, Expert accredited by the Council of Europe, mentioned, “Some stereotypes are too deeply-rooted in our mentality. While we often fail to accept it, such stereotypes form the basis for our actions and attitudes to others. The Organization sought to create a platform for dialogue and discussion with relevant specialists and members of the civil society to consider the incidences of discrimination against a number of vulnerable groups, violations of their rights for such reasons and the stereotypes causing such a situation. We do expect that the workshop will act as a stimulus for the participating persons and agencies to pay greater attention to the forms of discrimination revealed in the course of their working activities and effective exercise of the rights of vulnerable groups.