The Right Side human rights defender NGO has been implementing a new program titled “Promoting LGBTQI+ People Rights and Well-Being in Armenia” which was funded by The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation and aimed at raising awareness about the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, which has been facing significant discrimination and marginalization in Armenia.

                                                   

As part of the project, the “Challenging Vulnerability through Action” training participants have developed specific posters within the theme of “I Need YOUR Help.” These posters will be distributed among police officers in Yerevan and different regions of Armenia. The posters aim at increasing police officers’ awareness of the needs and challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community and encouraging them to provide better support and protection to the LGBTQI+ community. 

                                                   

LGBTQI+ individuals feel unsafe seeking police assistance because they face discrimination from the police, and their complaints are not properly processed. The lack of action on the part of the police results in the formation of an atmosphere of impunity and the violation of LGBTQI+ individuals’ rights. It is essential for police to prioritize addressing violations against LGBTQI+ community members, as well as document violence against LGBTIQ+ people as a hate crime based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

                   

By engaging with the police and raising the level of awareness of the LGBTIQ+ community, project participants hope to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all vulnerable groups.

 April 13, 2023 Armenia, Yerevan