ArmInfo. The attitude of the head of the parliamentary commission on human rights Naira Zohrabyan and a number of other deputies to the LGBT community Lilit Martirosyan is a gross violation of human rights. This is stated in a joint statement of the organizations "Transpension International", the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly, the Asparez Journalists Club and the Open Society-Armenia Foundations, received by ArmInfo.
The statement reads, in particular: "We are members of these organizations joining citizens who are concerned about the violation of human rights in New Armenia after speaking from the podium of the National Assembly Lilit Martirosyan. We express deep concern about the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, which the position of the government of the country on this issue. In its statement, the Foreign Ministry, in fact, considers fundamental human rights to be of secondary importance, in particular, equality, giving priority to "moral," "the statement emphasized. The organizations call on the Armenian government to reconsider its official position and reaffirm its commitment to the principles of protecting human rights and its obligations in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and international agreements to show high respect for the dignity of all people without exception. "We urge the Government of Armenia, firstly, to immediately take effective measures and bring to justice all those who grossly violated human rights, showed discrimination under the guise of" public morality. "Secondly, at the state level and all related institutions priority attention to the values of human rights and democracy. And finally, thirdly, to conduct large-scale educational and awareness activities to eliminate dangerous discrimination and incitement of hatred, which has intensified in recent years, as well as the restoration of the violated rights of citizens, " notes in the statement.
To note, on April 10, the Foreign Ministry responded to the statement of the ambassadors of the EU member states accredited in Armenia, in connection with the situation around LGBT community in the republic. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan noted that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is fully committed to its obligations to protect and promote human rights. And human rights, as a rule, act effectively if they become part of and are perceived as social and moral values. "Therefore, in this context, our international partners should show greater respect and sensitivity to the Armenian society, and refrain from inappropriate attempts to direct public debates in the country, even if they do not agree with their tone," Naghdalyan said at the same time recalling morality is part of international human rights obligations and cannot be ignored. Earlier, the EU Delegation to Armenia and the embassies of EU member states accredited in Armenia issued a statement expressing deep concern about a number of recent events in the country, in particular, serious threats against minorities and human rights defenders, including death threats. The EU recalled the international obligations undertaken by Armenia and called on all those who are committed to protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms to condemn manifestations of hatred, and law enforcement agencies to take immediate steps to guarantee the physical safety of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia motivated by hate and identify those involved in this. To note, the speech from the tribune of the Armenian parliament of transgender Lilit Martirosyan caused a rapid public response in Armenia. The society was divided into two camps - those who do not see anything reprehensible in this speech, and those who consider it unacceptable. Opposite the Armenian parliament building, a protest was held in defense of family values, the organizers and participants of which sharply condemned Martirosyan's speech in parliament.