UN Special Rapporteur concerned over cancellation of LGBT Christian  forum in Armenia

ArmInfo.The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, spoke about the objectives of  his visit to Armenia and presented an interim report on the work  done.

Thus, on November 16 at a press conference in Yerevan, Voule stated  that the purpose of his visit was to assist the Armenian authorities  on the path to democratization, establish the rule of law, as well as  various issues related to holding peaceful meetings.

The UN Special Rapporteur expressed satisfaction with the peaceful  transfer of power in Armenia and urged the new leadership of the  country not to deviate from the course taken to establish a solid  improved democratic system based on human rights, as well as the  establishment of strong and independent institutions.

"During my visit, I held meetings with representatives of various  government agencies and public organizations. I visited the Shirak,  Lori and Vayots Dzor regions, which allowed me to analyze what  changes, occurred at the local government level. I am satisfied with  the new trends that were fixed at this level, on public transparency,  "he noted.

Speaking about the issues of holding peaceful assemblies, Voule  stated that in Armenia there is no need to receive special permission  to hold protest actions. "During the meetings, I came to the  conclusion that after the transition period in the republic there  were no restrictions related to holding peaceful assemblies," said  Voule. However, he expressed concern about past police actions and  the disproportionate use of force against participants in meetings.  He is convinced that today it is necessary to increase the capacity  of the police through trainings and training programs. According to  him, the issue of ensuring the transparency and impartiality of the  judicial system and the reforms in this direction are still in the  process.

As another important area, Voule pointed out the need for more active  involvement of women in the public and political life of the country.

"I am also concerned about the abolition of LGBT Christians in  Armenia, since the authorities could not guarantee the safety of the  participants. I told the authorities about my concern and urged them  to make maximum efforts to avoid similar situations in the future",  the rapporteur said UN.

At the same time, he expressed the conviction that the upcoming  December 9 extraordinary parliamentary elections in Armenia will be  another key event in the life of the Armenian people. In this regard,  he called for free, independent, transparent elections to help create  the necessary atmosphere for transformation and the continuation of  the reform process. In this regard, he welcomed the actions of the  new authorities of Armenia in the transitional period. "Armenia has  come a serious way, but there are still many difficulties ahead that  will have to be overcome. And the way the upcoming elections will be  held will allow the authorities to measure the readiness of the  changes", he said.

In conclusion, Voule emphasized that he had arrived in Armenia at the  invitation of the government.  According to him, the Armenian  government during the revolution sent the invitation to him. To  clarify the old or the new, Voule found it difficult to say,  suggesting that it's rather new: "Most likely, it's difficult for me  to say the new government, it's necessary to clarify. But I would  like to say that Armenia is among those countries that are open to  speakers issue. "

The interim report of the UN Special Representative will be published  on the website of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in a few  days, and the full report will be presented at the 41st session on  human rights in June 2019. The interim report has already been  submitted to the Armenian authorities for study.