The Armenian authorities must respect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and non-discrimination for all, Amnesty International said in a report published today.
The report titled "Armenia: No space for difference" says a number of issues, particularly those running counter to the core tenets of a mainstream Armenian identity, remain taboo.
"Human rights defenders, journalists and others who take up minority views on controversial issues, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and abuses within the armed forces, occasionally face intimidation, harassment, threats and abuse. Discrimination and similar incidents of intimidation and violence are common against individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI)," the report reads.
The human rights advocates note that the targets of such attacks are often left without adequate protection and offences against them go unpunished.
Amnesty International recommends the Armenian authorities to respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, including individuals critical of state authorities, holding and expressing minority or dissenting political or other views or beliefs and individuals identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) and those who oppose prejudice against them.