Human Rights Defender: any manifestations of hate speech should be  excluded from public speeches

ArmInfo. The inadmissibility of spreading an environment of hatred was discussed at the meeting of  Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan with Ambassador of France to Armenia Olivier Decottignies.

As reported by the Defender's office, during the meeting Anahit  Manasyan presented to the diplomat the scope of powers of the Human  Rights Defender as a constitutional body, work priorities and areas  of activity.

The protest actions and rallies held in Yerevan were mentioned.  Manasyan noted that on June 12, she and her office staff visited  police stations and medical institutions, where they met with  protesters and police officers receiving medical care, recording the  problems that had arisen. During the meeting, the Defender also  presented the current problems in the field of ensuring equality and  combating discrimination in the country. In this context, the Human  Rights Defender pointed out the unacceptable scale of the environment  of hatred, discrimination and intolerance that has developed in the  Republic of Armenia. Manasyan noted that such phenomena are  widespread in Armenia, which is unacceptable. Of particular concern  is the use of discriminatory statements and incitement to hatred by  political and public figures, as well as in the media sources. She  especially emphasized that any manifestations of hate speech should  be excluded from public speeches.