On December 10, 2020, the “Human Rights Tulip” award was presented to Lilit Martirosyan, Founder and President of the “Right Side” Human Rights Defender NGO. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Stef Blok presented the award during an online ceremony organized by the Government. At the same time, the Netherlands Embassy in Yerevan organized an event to celebrate Human Rights Day and congratulate Lilit, during which Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Nico Schermers presented the award to Lilit on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Lilit Martirosyan, as a result of the discussion with the NGO staff, board members and LGBTIQ community representatives, expressed a wish to devote the award to the creation of a Trans LGBIQ community safe space, where community members would have the opportunity to mobilize, receive education, where they would feel safe and harmonious. According to L. Martirosyan: “When you are an activist, you have to put your life into your work to change the lives of others for the better, you should make them live by giving hope to face any challenges in the world. Every precondition should be created for each individual in order that they feel happy and protected.”

Increasing the scope of our work year by year, we spare no effort and energy to support the full implementation of the rights of Trans LGBIQ people, to ensure their prosperous future, to promote an inclusive atmosphere, to make Armenia a democratic country that protects human rights.

The “Right Side” Human Rights Defender NGO would like to express its gratitude to the Government of the Netherlands for its trust and continued support in ensuring the protection of the rights and security of LGBTIQ people, and appreciates the work of the Netherlands Embassy in Yerevan and our cooperation with the staff of the Embassy.

The official opening of the safe space for Trans LGBIQ people will take place in 2022.

Dec 08, 2021  Armenia Yerevan