Statement about the homophobic and intolerant public speech by the Armenian PM Naira Zohrabyan
15:30, May 5, 2015 | Announcements, OtherWe, the representatives of civil society, strongly condemn Naira Zhorabyan for her aggressive and discriminatory stand against the Armenian LGBT community. She is a parliamentarian of the Armenian National Assembly and the head of Bargavach Political Party.
On April 21, 2015, in the process of monitoring the Armenian mass media, it was noticed that Ms Zohrabyan, in her interview with LGBTnews.am, publicly announced she has always voted against any proposal for the protection of LGBT rights introduced at the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
She particularly mentioned, “I will do anything possible in order to prohibit the spread of metastases in Armenia. I say this openly and publicly.”
It is apparent that Naira Zohrabyan has used her public position and power to reinforce Armenian stereotypes towards the marginalized LGBT population, stigmatizing them with even an unknown type of cancer and claiming that “LGBT people can spread the metastases among the Armenian society.”
Her statements in the interview are evidence of not only her discriminatory attitude towards the LGBT population, but also her power abuse as a parliamentarian who promotes hate and aggression towards the LGBT people both at national and international levels. This can only lead to irrevocable and devastating consequences.
We find that Naira Zohrabyan’s homophobic attitude to be impermissible and unacceptable taking into account her professional public position which heightens the dangerous consequences of her words.
In this regard, we demand:
From Parliament of RA:
- To revise and re-admit the list of Armenian members of PACE;
- Present the case of Naira Zohrabyan’s Public Attitude to the disruption of the Ethics Committee of the National Assembly of RA.
From PACE:
- Based on article 7, 17-21 of the Code of Conduct of the PACE members to demand explanation from Naira Zohrabyan.
From Naira Zohrabyan
- As a representative of the National Assembly of Armenia to respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms stated by the Constitution of Armenia, international conventions and legislation;
- To publicly apologize for publicly delivered moral harm to the Armenian LGBT community.
“New Generation” Humanitarian NGO
“Guarantee” Center of Civil Society NGO
Helsinki Citizens Assembly of Vanadzor NGO
“Progress of Gyumri” Center of Civil Society
Development NGO
Partnership for Democracy” NGO
“United Colors of Youth” NGO
“Protection of Rights without borders” NGO
FAVL NGO
“Public Information and Need of Knowledge” NGO
Women’s Support Center NGO
“Peace Dialog” NGO
“Real world, real people” NGO
“We for Democracy” NGO
“No Genocides” Civic Initiative team
NGO Youth Organization Ida Noored (Estonia)
Mission Aid and Development NPC (USA)
Q-HYE՝ Derick Safarian (USA)
Norwegian Helsinki Committee (Norway)
Timur Abdullaev (Uzbekistan)
Nver Hasratyan (USA)
Attorney Gayane Khachatryan
Sociologist Nane Bagratuny
Source- www.ngngo.net