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The right to freedom of expression is seriously endangered in the Republic of Armenia, and the proof of it is the failure of screening “Parada” in Yerevan, on October 17, 2012, failure of screening Azeri films in Gyumri and Vanadzor in April, and setting up DIY Club on fire in May.

Such cases, as a rule, do not receive adequate response from law-enforcement bodies neither in terms of prevention, nor in terms of holding the perpetrators responsible.

Lately, crimes conducted on the basis of hatred towards LGBT people particularly cause concern. In fact, they are committed in an atmosphere of police inactivity. A vivid example of this is the arson against DIY Club in May, 2012, which did not receive adequate attention from the police, and the perpetrators were not held liable. Moreover, the owner of the club, not having any guarantees for security, had to flee Armenia.

Likewise, the police did not pay proper attention to creating safe conditions for screening “Parada”. There was a very negative propaganda against the content of the film through mass media and separate institutions, as a result of which there were negative prejudices against the movie and the organizers of the screening.

On July 25, 2012, during the 105^th Session of the Human Rights Committee, it is mentioned in the conclusions on the 2nd regular report of Armenia that the State must confirm clearly and officially that it does not tolerate any social stigma of homosexuality, bisexuality or transsexuality, violation, discrimination or violence against people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The State must prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure effective protection for LGBT people.

We find that the RA Government, through political powers represented in the executive and legislative bodies, sponsors such abuses and even excludes that they are manifestations of discrimination. We think that such sponsorship is intolerable and directly violates the RA Constitution, namely Article 14.1 of the RA Constitution, stating: “Everyone shall be equal before law. Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or other personal or social circumstances shall be prohibited.”

Helsinki Citizens Assembly-Vanadzor demands that the provision of rights defined by the mentioned article is ensured and reports that it is ready to provide its premises for screening the movie free of charge.

HCA-Vanadzor,
October 17, 2012