Armenian Ombudsman Condemns Incidents of Intolerance and Violence against Homosexuals and Others
24/05/2012
Submitted by
ILGA-Europe
Resource link http://pashtpan.am/en/article/657 (Official website of Human Rights Defender)
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Generally we strictly condemn the cases of intolerance against homosexuals and others, as well as other cases of violence and intolerance towards human rights defenders. This was the comment of Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan to Armenian News-NEWS.am on the events regarding DIY Pub in downtown Yerevan.
“I consider unacceptable positions of different people, coming out with resistance calls or supporting violence and the activities, which inseminate hatred or discrimination towards different groups, including sexual and religious minorities. Not contributing into and not willing to participate in any campaign, at the same time we understand that in a civilized, Christian European society hostility and intolerance are simply unacceptable,” said the Ombudsman.
He assured that the rapid reaction group acted faster and more effective regarding DIY club incidents than any other bodies.
“Now we have a written complaint. It is proceeded, we have made queries to the corresponding state bodies. Our position is the following; we condemn any kind of violence, but in this case we wait for the state body’s position to justify that except interpersonal relations there were other motivations and incentives to attack the club. In case if there are other motivations rather than interpersonal relations which will be punished by the corresponding law, we’ll make an exact statement on that issue,” said Karen Andreasyan.
“I suggest to ease this escalation, which I think has artificial origins, and I call to both sides to stop the tension as there is an aggressive division in our society. I ask third parties to stop making discrimination and hatred statements and incitements. Let us wait for the Police and the Prosecution to make right decisions in the framework of the law,” Karen Andreasyan said.
To the question how he assesses the Police activities, which has freed the fire makers of the DIY club, and has not proceeded criminal cases for the following club attacks the Ombudsman replied. “We know that the case is in the preliminary stage. The pledge has also been paid. This means that the Police are working with the accused. I don’t have a right to interfere into the investigation process and we are waiting for the Police and Prosecution actions. “
Referring to the case of the “Diversity March” and the actions of the group impeding the march, Karen Andreasyan mentioned, “I think that each society group has a right to express its position, ideas and wishes through peaceful marches and demonstrations. At the same time people discordant with those ideas have a right to express their position in a civilized way. I am not against assemblies, marches or demonstrations expressing dissimilar positions to take place in the Republic, but this should not turn into a violence or abuse of others rights or morality. I suppose that the groups freely acting in our civilized country would be able to operate without breaking the law and our international obligations.
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Generally we strictly condemn the cases of intolerance against homosexuals and others, as well as other cases of violence and intolerance towards human rights defenders. This was the comment of Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan to Armenian News-NEWS.am on the events regarding DIY Pub in downtown Yerevan.
“I consider unacceptable positions of different people, coming out with resistance calls or supporting violence and the activities, which inseminate hatred or discrimination towards different groups, including sexual and religious minorities. Not contributing into and not willing to participate in any campaign, at the same time we understand that in a civilized, Christian European society hostility and intolerance are simply unacceptable,” said the Ombudsman.
He assured that the rapid reaction group acted faster and more effective regarding DIY club incidents than any other bodies.
“Now we have a written complaint. It is proceeded, we have made queries to the corresponding state bodies. Our position is the following; we condemn any kind of violence, but in this case we wait for the state body’s position to justify that except interpersonal relations there were other motivations and incentives to attack the club. In case if there are other motivations rather than interpersonal relations which will be punished by the corresponding law, we’ll make an exact statement on that issue,” said Karen Andreasyan.
“I suggest to ease this escalation, which I think has artificial origins, and I call to both sides to stop the tension as there is an aggressive division in our society. I ask third parties to stop making discrimination and hatred statements and incitements. Let us wait for the Police and the Prosecution to make right decisions in the framework of the law,” Karen Andreasyan said.
To the question how he assesses the Police activities, which has freed the fire makers of the DIY club, and has not proceeded criminal cases for the following club attacks the Ombudsman replied. “We know that the case is in the preliminary stage. The pledge has also been paid. This means that the Police are working with the accused. I don’t have a right to interfere into the investigation process and we are waiting for the Police and Prosecution actions. “
Referring to the case of the “Diversity March” and the actions of the group impeding the march, Karen Andreasyan mentioned, “I think that each society group has a right to express its position, ideas and wishes through peaceful marches and demonstrations. At the same time people discordant with those ideas have a right to express their position in a civilized way. I am not against assemblies, marches or demonstrations expressing dissimilar positions to take place in the Republic, but this should not turn into a violence or abuse of others rights or morality. I suppose that the groups freely acting in our civilized country would be able to operate without breaking the law and our international obligations.
