Human rights are universal and cannot have national limitations: NGO statement

On April 5, a discussion on the UN Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights was held at the initiative of the NA Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs, in which representatives of the Government, the NA, as well as international organizations, and local civil society participated.

It should be noted that such a discussion was the first of its kind, when the recommendations of the UN Universal Periodic Review were discussed in the NA with the involvement and participation of various stakeholders.

Taking into account the importance of each in the protection of human rights, we welcome:

a. This initiative of the RA NA Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs, which provides an opportunity to comprehensively and effectively discuss the human rights situation and existing problems in the RA, as well as to find possible solutions to them through joint efforts, effectively applying the UN Universal Periodic Review.

b. The involvement of the RA Government, in particular, representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Labor and Social Affairs, and other state institutions in this process and the willingness to cooperate within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review.

c. The active involvement of the Human Rights Defender Institute in these processes.

It is noteworthy that during the discussion on the UN Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, both civil society representatives and government representatives emphasized the need to develop and adopt comprehensive legislation that provides for effective mechanisms for protection from discrimination within the framework of the fight against discrimination.

The need to introduce effective mechanisms for protecting the rights of all groups in society, including minorities, was emphasized several times.

However, when the transgender Lilit Martirosyan, President of the “Iravunqi Pasha” NGO, which protects the rights of transgender people, made a speech during the speeches, the chairwoman of the session, the Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs of the RA NA, Naira Zohrabyan, loudly expressed her indignation regarding the speech, noting that the issues of transgender people were not presented on the agenda, and therefore speaking about that topic is disrespectful towards her and the parliament.

It should be noted that such a restriction was not provided for in the previously distributed announcements and agenda regarding the parliamentary hearings, and there were also other thematic speeches during the hearings. Moreover, the agenda items also included the issue of strengthening the principle of prohibition of discrimination, which Lilit Martirosyan’s speech fully complied with.

We assess Ms. Zohrabyan’s response to Lilit Martirosyan’s speech as discriminatory and degrading to human dignity and call on the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and other deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia

to make statements condemning Naira Zohrabyan’s speech,

to convene the National Assembly Ethics Committee and examine this incident,

to review the appropriateness of Naira Zohrabyan’s appointment as Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs.

Pink Human Rights NGO

Rights Side Human Rights NGO

Human Rights House Yerevan

Anti-Discrimination and Equality Coalition

Human Rights Research Center

Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Office

"New Generation" Humanitarian NGO

Legal Initiatives Center NGO

Women's Resource Center NGO

Real World, Real People NGO

"Socioscope" Center for Public Studies and Consulting

"Women in Black, Armenia" Peacebuilding Initiative

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center

Colorful House Socio-Cultural and Human Rights NGO

Women's Support Center NGO

Society Without Violence NGO

Spitak Helsinki Group Human Rights NGO

Sexual Violence Crisis Center NGO

Source MediaLAB