Human rights activist: Certain segments of society in Armenia subject  to internalized racism

ArmInfo.  Certain segments of society in Armenia are subject to internalized racism. This view was expressed by Armenia's first Human Rights Ombudsman, Larisa  Alaverdyan, at a press conference in Yerevan on July 14, dedicated to  the launch of the Commission on the Rights of Persons Persecuted for  Political Motivations.

"It must be clearly stated that the educated, law-abiding segment of  Armenian society that clearly recognizes the dignity of others as  well as its own, has today found itself in a situation where it is  perceived as an enemy. That is, in today's reality, anyone who holds  an opinion that is an alternative to the ruling party's position, the  Civil Contract, is considered an enemy," the human rights activist  noted.

According to her, the situation in Armenia has reached a point where  it compels various public and political figures and human rights  activists to unite and put an end to the atmosphere that has  developed in the country, including that related to political  prisoners.

The initiators of the commission's creation were: Armenia's first  Ombudsman, Member of Parliament of the 4th convocation Larisa  Alaverdyan; the First Human Rights Defender of the Republic of  Armenia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia  Dzyunik Aghajanyan; political scientist and human rights activist  Maya Barkhudaryan; political scientist and PhD candidate in physics  and mathematics Yervand Bozoyan; political scientist Stepan  Danielyan; human rights activist Hovhannes Ishkhanyan; Member of  Parliament of the 8th convocation Anna Mkrtchyan, PhD candidate in  law; Member of Parliament of the 4th and 5th convocations Zaruhi  Postanjyan, lawyer; Member of Parliament of the 5th and 8th  convocations Elinar Vardanyan, member of the Alternative Projects  Group Committee; lawyer Sergey Sargsyan; and President of the  Tukhmanuk NGO Mariam Chakhoyan.

The Commission's objectives are to raise public awareness of the  rights of individuals persecuted for political reasons, document  documented cases, conduct legal and public assessments of them, and  monitor the protection of political rights in Armenia.

Furthermore, the Commission aims to promote the implementation of  legislative mechanisms and strengthen a culture in Armenia that will  ensure adequate responses to politically motivated persecution,  thereby playing a deterrent role in the deepening and spread of such  practices in the Republic of Armenia.  It also utilizes Armenia's  commitments to international organizations and the oversight  capabilities they provide to, to a certain extent, prevent the  authorities from developing a dictatorial system and curb the level  of repression.

The Commission's main objectives are to document cases of politically  motivated persecution; develop and publish legal assessments; conduct  public awareness-raising and fact-finding activities, publish  periodic reports and statements; develop, submit, and promote  proposals for legislative reforms to ensure mechanisms that preclude  politically motivated persecution; and establish cooperation with  local and international organizations, structures, and partners to  achieve these goals.