Concern in connection with the changes made to the ra law on “non-govinalisation”

The "Rights Side" human rights NGO expresses its concern regarding the amendments made to the RA Law on "Public Organizations" recently adopted by the RA National Assembly, according to which from now on all public organizations will have to report on the funds they receive from both public and private organizations.

It is particularly worrying that the publication of programs, donor organizations and other data implemented in the intolerant atmosphere towards LGBT people in Armenia may lead to the spread of an atmosphere of hatred and be the reason for a new wave of persecution against non-governmental organizations engaged in the protection of the rights of LGBT people, their beneficiaries and volunteers.

It is not superfluous to mention that last year, after the speech of the President of the "Rights Side" human rights NGO Lilit Martirosyan to the RA NA, numerous public threats were made against the organization's president and LGBT people, demonstrations and numerous speeches inciting hatred were held.

Although our organization, in its programs and the funds it received regularly reports on its funds on its official website, however, submitting a report on a public platform such as the RA State Revenue Committee website may be of concern from the point of view of ensuring the safety of the organization's members and beneficiaries.

Moreover, recently our organization was forced to postpone and move its previously planned event to another location, taking into account the fact that a number of individuals had learned about the event and publicly threatened the organization, while also stating that our organization was seeking some political interests and, being funded by European or other international organizations, was pursuing unlawful goals.

Meanwhile, the "Rights Side" human rights NGO is a legally registered and operating organization and its goals do not contradict the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Armenia.

The main mission of the organization is to protect the rights and legitimate interests of LGBT people and their integration into society as full members of society.

It is not superfluous to mention that in 2020 In January, during the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Assembly adopted a report presenting the results of the monitoring mission carried out in the countries subject to monitoring in January-December 2019, of which 3.2. In paragraph 1, the Assembly expresses concern about the challenges in the field of justice, in particular regarding independence, impartiality, continued intolerance and negative stereotypes towards LGBT persons and other minorities in Armenian society.

In such circumstances, the amendments adopted in the law will endanger the rights of organizations and individuals engaged in the protection of the rights of LGBT persons in a democratic society and there is no guarantee that manifestations of hatred and threats will be prevented.

Based on the above, the “Iravunki Pasha” human rights NGO urges the deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, in particular the “My Step” faction:

To initiate amendments to the above-mentioned provisions of the already adopted RA Law on “Public Organizations” to take into account the concerns mentioned in this statement.

To organize a discussion with the participation of interested parties, which will allow avoiding undesirable consequences.
To ensure the participation of organizations engaged in the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, in particular LGBT persons exclusion of pressure on, and nevertheless, in the case of application of the law, implementation of measures aimed at preventing the spread of hatred and threats in the event of submission of reports arising from the implementation of the law by different segments of society towards organizations engaged in the protection of the rights of LGBT persons.