Today the World marks the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Many countries around the world celebrate gender and sexual diversity by organizing various public events. Unfortunately, transgender people in Armenia still remain targets of daily stigma, discrimination, violence and humiliation, because of the conservative values of the Armenian society and the lack of political will to ensure gender equality.
The level of hate against trans people escalates especially when number of radical groups, civil society representatives, religious leaders, politicians, journalists and other members of society do not stop sharing threats and hate speeches against transgender people and continue to remain unpunished.
At the same time, “Right Side” human rights defender NGO states that after Lilit Martirosyan’s speech in the National Assembly, transgender human rights defenders in Armenia continue to suffer persecution, because the hate continues its escalation. All those who threatened are in freedom, while the Police failed to initiate any criminal case against them based on the number of reports by “Right Side” human rights defender NGO.
Taking into consideration the lack of legislation on anti-discrimination, hate speech, hate crime, raised number of violence against transgender people, unprotected transgender human rights defenders, the atmosphere of fear and impunity, “Right Side” human rights defender NGO calls:
to the politicians, the RA Government and MPs to,
ensure the development of legislation and policies aimed at the protection of transgender people rights, including,
to the RA Police,
ensure the evelopment of policies aimed at protecting the rights of transgender persons who are victims of violence, including,
to the Religious organizations and leaders
Implement preachment based only on the values of love and respect, including:
to the Media organizations and journalists
Implement high quality and impartial professional activities, remembering about media impact on public life, including,
“Right Side” Human Rights Defender NGO also reminds that transgender people have always existed in our society and once again we call on all citizens to show solidarity and respect towards sexual and gender minorities in Armenia in order to strengthen the democracy building and achieve equality in Armenia.
May 17, 2019 Armenia, Yerevan