Epress.am News from Armenia
Issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in Armenia are usually approached from a negative point of view; defenders of LGBT rights are considered “traitors of the state”; and LGBT people are presented as enemies of society. This is the conclusion of a 2013 annual review on the Human Rights Situation of LGBT People, prepared by Public Information and Need of Knowledge (PINK Armenia) NGO.
The report summarizes public and highlighted cases of human rights violations of LGBT people and subsequent events in 2013.
"For LGBT people any sphere of social life is becoming a place of discrimination, degradation, inhumane treatment, and violence. Statements by state officials only contribute to human rights violations of LGBT people, creating an atmosphere of impunity.
"As in previous years, in 2013 as well, the Government of the Republic of Armenia didn't attempt to address or resolve issues of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Moreover, recent events show that there is also a lack of knowledge and awareness among society regarding these issues," reads the report, in part.
The report presents the overall situation regarding the rights of LGBT people — how LGBT issues are manipulated during and after elections and how discussions on LGBT issues are artificially propounded during periods of unstable political junctions. The report covers the lack of legislative regulations on LGBT issues, media coverage of LGBT issues, the Armenian Ombudsman's statements violating human rights, and the public hysteria over gender equality.
"In 2013, Armenia suffered setbacks in terms of tolerance, which was regularly raised and which, moreover, failed during the national debate on the issue of gender equality. State officials turn a blind eye to acts of violence against LGBT people, describing the violence as a defense of 'national values'," reports PINK Armenia.