Artsakh NGOs condemn growing hate speech against displaced persons

ArmInfo.A coalition of nearly a dozen civil society organizations dedicated to the rights of those forcibly displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has issued a  statement  regarding a surge in discrimination and hate speech within Armenia.

The statement reads as follows: "The CSO Network for the Protection  of the Rights of Forcibly Displaced Persons from Artsakh expresses  deep concern regarding the dangerous trends recently observed in the  Republic of Armenia that relate to manifestations of discriminatory  rhetoric, intolerance, and hate speech directed against forcibly  displaced persons from Artsakh. It is particularly alarming that such  expressions and approaches are also encountered in public discourse,  including statements made by various public officials, which may  contribute to the escalation of public tension and social  polarization.

The incident that took place in the Yerevan Metro involving the Prime  Minister of the Republic of Armenia, which has recently received  widespread public attention, further highlights the aforementioned  concerns. The communication recorded in the video circulated online,  including the tense interaction with a forcibly displaced person from  Artsakh and the situation that unfolded in the presence of her child,  raises questions regarding the appropriateness of the conduct of  public officials, the boundaries of public discourse, and the need to  ensure respectful treatment toward vulnerable groups. Although the  Prime Minister subsequently issued an apology regarding the incident,  it was also accompanied by an intensification of negative, including  hostile, expressions in the online sphere, which may contribute to  the deepening of social tensions.

Such phenomena, in addition to violating the fundamental human rights  and human dignity, also contradict the international obligations  undertaken by the Republic of Armenia in the field of human rights  protection.  Particular concern is caused by the fact that state  authorities often fail to undertake sufficient and effective measures  aimed at preventing and addressing such manifestations. Moreover, in  certain cases the situations recorded may be perceived as tolerance  or indirect encouragement of hate speech, which may contradict the  fundamental principles of the rule of law and democratic values.

In this context, particular concern is caused by the fact that the  social and psychological vulnerability of forcibly displaced persons  from Artsakh is largely conditioned by forced displacement and  targeted ethnic actions. The consequences thereof include threats and  pressure recorded over the years, the humanitarian crisis, armed  conflicts and mass displacement, as well as the continuing loss of  cultural and historical heritage. Taking all these circumstances into  account, we state that targeting persons who have been forcibly  displaced and who have endured similar severe experiences through  hate speech, discrimination, and social exclusion leads to their  secondary victimization. This not only deepens the social and  psychological vulnerability of the affected persons but also  constitutes a direct threat to the principles of the rule of law and  social solidarity.

The CSO Network for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly  Displaced Persons from Artsakh calls upon:  1.   State authorities of  the Republic of Armenia to:  ?    Take immediate steps to prevent  hate speech and discrimination.  ?    Ensure clear legal and  institutional mechanisms for the protection of displaced persons.  ?     Exercise restraint and refrain from any public discourse that may  incite intolerance.

        2. National and international human rights institutions to:  ?     Conduct continuous monitoring and provide objective assessments.  ?     Contribute to the introduction of effective mechanisms for social  inclusion and solidarity.

The CSO Network for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly  Displaced Persons from Artsakh reaffirms its readiness to cooperate  with all interested stakeholders with the aim of ensuring the  protection of the rights of forcibly displaced persons, promoting  social inclusion, and strengthening social solidarity."

CSO Network for the Protection of the Rights of Forcibly Displaced  Persons from Artsakh: "Armenian Lawyers' Association" NGO, "Harmonia"  NGO,  "Kumayri" NGO of Artsakh Armenians, "Return to Karvachar" NGO,  "Krunk" NGO for the Protection of Artsakh Armenians' Rights,  "Askerantsiner" Community Development Center NGO, "Hayy Ka" Social,  Security, and Development NGO  and "Lusastgh" NGO