Yoko Ono's "petition for peace", MoMA, NYC

A very diverse, and very current exhibit in MoMA, NYC, of Yoko Ono's works and performances.

Most of the works on display were from 60s but themes touched there, such as gender inequality, human rights, anti-war/for peace movements, are as current, as ever... Powerful stuff.

*Film No. 4, "petition for peace" against gender inequality and war

*"War is Over!", by Yoko Ono and John Lennon

*"Cut Piece" performance by Yoko Ono

*"Touch Poem for Group of People"

*"Bag Piece" performance

*"Apple"

How Armenia ruling regime and Putin’s Russia fooled the EU over Association Agreement

Surprise. Shock. U-turn... Yet if we look at the bigger picture, including developments of last few months, this turn of events will not seem that surprising.

First sign that we are going to witness what we eventually witnessed, i.e. Armenia president announcing (3 September 2013) country’s intention to join the Russia led Customs/Eurasian union, was... yes-yes, the anti-gender-equality-law-hysteria.

Armenian government proposed the law on gender equality, as part of its European commitments, made sure it was approved by the under control parliament (no efforts needed, just order), then along with Russia provoked and contributed to the backlash against the very law they adopted by equalling “gender” with “European amorality” and “LGBT”. To note, women's groups, including Women's Resource Centre that became target of orchestrated hate campaign and LGBT rights groups had no role whatsoever in developing or promoting the law.

Never before Armenian public underwent such an intoxicating dosage of anti-EU hysteria with propaganda machine making all the possible efforts for EU to be associated with "amorality", "destruction of traditional Armenian families", "making your children gay"... You got the picture.

While this puppet show was clearly governed from Moscow, Armenia authorities not only did nothing to explain the benefits of their ‘EU integration’ policy, a policy they ‘worked towards’ for the last 4 years and seemingly (only seemingly!) committed to, but all their under control media, including Public TV, was engaged in an anti-EU campaign.

They used this ‘hate the EU’ campaign to prepare the public for the announcement of 3rd September.

Since the introduction of Eastern Partnership, It has always been the case that Russia dislikes (to put it mildly) the initiative and will do whatever possible to derail it. Armenia’s dependence on and close ties with Russia was never a secret.

It’s inconceivable to believe that Armenia authorities committed to EU and went so far - only steps away to sign (initial) the Association agreement, including deep and comprehensive free trade agreement - without Russia's blessing.

They waited the right moment to announce the U-turn as a diplomatic coup triumph for Russia and a scare tactic directed primarily to Ukraine.

For Armenia authorities, hardly bearers of or devotees to European values, the main reason why they entered this game was because in return they received EU/West legitimacy, despite fraudulent elections. The only things that matter to them are power, money and travel enjoyment. With Russian help, they made EU to believe that they are committed pro-Europeans. Ha!

Now they can present themselves as victims of Putin’s pressure: ‘poor Armenian authorities, they simply had no other option but to succumb to Russia’s pressure.’ How convenient.

This way they will try to avoid EU sanctions and may get something light in return. You know, the way they like the concept of ‘human rights light’. Now it will be ‘EU light’. Something that won't put too much responsibility on them in terms of commitments by still giving all the main benefits in terms of keeping power, money and travel. Win/win for Armenia ruling regime and Putin’s Russia. Big fail for the EU.

Armenia ruling regime clearly demonstrates how unreliable international partners non-elected authorities could be. Time wasters.

Hate movement against women's rights groups in Armenia

There have been direct threats in Armenian Facebook to attack Women's Resource Centre, target Armenian Progressive Youth group and other women and rights groups and activists as part of 'gender equality' law hysteria. [read also: How Armenia ruling regime and Putin’s Russia fooled the EU over Association Agreement]

Women's Resource Centre already applied to the Yerevan police. Such threats appear particularly on pages or by members of so called "Pan-Armenian parents committee" and "no to gender equality law" FB pages/groups.

*This man says: " we should blow up the Women's Resource Center... like Tsomak's pub (DIY)" [this was posted on a "no to gender equality law" hateful Facebook group]. For more info - see Epress.am.

On 26 August 2013, Women's Resource Center posted on their FB page:

We would like to inform everyone that the persecution of Women's Resource Center is continuing. A few weeks ago the member of Parliament, Hayk Babukhanyan, wrote a letter to the Persecutor General to investigate our activities. We would like to remind you that we sued a website, www.zaruhi.com, for writing lies about WRC, and consequently won the case. That website is a part of 'Iravunq-holding", which belongs to Mr. Babukhanyan.

Today the Women's Resource Centre issued a more comprehensive statement detailing the developments. This statement was posted on international women's rights group - AWID - website [re-posted below].
***

Persecution And Threats Towards Women’s Rights Defenders And Threat To Freedom Of Association And Expression In Armenia 

Source: Women’s Resource Center 28/08/2013

Following the adoption of the law number 57 on “Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women” by the Armenian Parliament in May 2013, a heated debate started around the concept of “gender” and “equality”.

Extremist groups started disseminating misinformation on social networks sites, targeting women’s non-governmental organizations and women’s rights defenders in Armenia. In order to spread hate and fear in society, these groups are manipulating the wording of the law and associating “gender equality” with homosexuality propaganda and pedophilia. Women’s rights defenders are called “traitors of the nation”, “destroyers of families” and a “threat to Armenian values” and promoters of sexual abuse towards children and minors.

Almost anyone daring to speak about “gender” issues or women’s rights is being mocked and ridiculed online and broadcast media. Their photos are being circulated so people will identify them and attack them. Some of our members who have been targeted are afraid for their lives and security and taking extreme measures to stay safe.

In the face of this hysteria, Parliament members who adopted almost unanimously the law on gender equality is remaining silent and no concrete steps are taken by the government to protect and support the women’s rights defenders and those working on gender equality.

Following these violent movements, on several sites, there have been concrete threats and calls to violence towards our organization (WRCA), such as “ blow up the Women’s Resource Center, and Burn the women’s human rights defenders for raising gender issues and challenging gender stereotypes in society”. Our organization’s chairperson presented complaints to the Republic of Armenia Police and evidences of such threats of terrorism against the Center, but no specific actions have been taken so far.

Some members of Parliament, like opposition party Prosperous Armenia, Deputy Ms Naira Zohrabyan (European Integration Committee Chair) influenced by the reaction of a group of extremists immediately took a defensive position and suggested changing the law on gender equality. Another member of parliament from the ruling party, Mr Babukhanyan, presented an official complaint against the Women’s Resource Center and its defenders to the RA Prosecutor’s General’s office to investigate the organization’s activities, accusing its members of promoting sexual deviation and homosexuality among under-aged girls. Although all these allegations are not founded, it is creating black PR to the organization, increasing hate towards them in society and threatening their freedom of assembly. This is not the first time that the Women’s Resource Center has been targeted by the Deputy Babukhanyan. On several occasions, during parliamentary hearings, Mr Babukhanyan, stated publicly “that organizations like the Women’s Resource Center are destroying Armenian Families by working on domestic violence issues and they need to be shut down.” In 2012, in one of the online magazines he owns, an article was published stating the same message about the organization. Following which, the Women’s Resource Center took this magazine to court for defamation and won the case. He tried to review the case on different levels but the decision of the court remained the same and now his magazine needs to publish an official apology for spreading misinformation about our work. We believe that these attacks are direct consequence of that court case. His journalists continue harassing us during public actions and circulating misinformation about our work.

Our concern is that these extremist movements who are very pro-Russian (mainly publishing articles in Russian language and providing evidences from Russian sources) are also part of the present geopolitical situation in Armenia. Our concern is that these actions are part of the struggle between the Association agreement with the EU on one side and the unity with Russia on the other.

WRCA appeals to you to pressure our government to take concrete steps to defend the rights of women’s rights defenders in Armenia and initiate actions to stop the hate war and persecution of women’s organizations working on gender equality and violence against women. We urge you as well to raise the issue among our governmental officials to ensure the safety of the women’s rights defenders and their rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

The Women’s Resource Center is a grassroots organization working in Armenia since 2003 on empowering women. Our main mission is to counter gender discrimination in Armenia and provide psychological and legal support to survivors of gender-based violence and sexual abuse. The Center has been also lobbying for amendments to the criminal law regarding sexual violence and more specifically toughening the sexual abuse articles against minors, which is very lenient in the law.

British ambassador in Armenia says ‘good-bye’. “Love embassy” stays

If you ask my opinion, I’d say - to date - Charles Lonsdale was the best foreign ambassador in Armenia. He fitted right and genuinely into the environment, issues, people transforming the embassy into the “love embassy”. Although Daily Mail dubbed it a “love embassy” with negative connotations, for me this was the best term ever to refer to any diplomatic mission. What can be better than love?

[...] The controversy comes after it was revealed that the current ambassador recently married an Armenian woman working at the British Embassy.
The two developments have led to local politicians nicknaming the British mission the ‘love embassy’. [...] (Daily Mail)

I personally met Charles and Maria in Yerevan. Here is what I posted following the meeting:

What a nice couple: UK ambassador in Armenia Charles & Maria. Friendly, intelligent, cool. Great night out with them & Onnik + more friends. People. Atmosphere. Super. At my fave venue in Yerevan. Alternative Armenia reality. The one I like. #YerevanDiaries

Below is an extract from his farewell blog post. Good-bye, Charles. You will be missed!!

[...] The economic crisis means poverty is as serious an issue as ever, though I’ve written before now on some good work being done by NGOs, including Oxfam.  There’s also been some progress on gender issues and it’s possible now to hope for some progress on the question of domestic violence in a way I didn’t think possible when I first arrived.  There’s even been some limited progress in reporting of lesbian and gay issues, though there’s still a long way to go to overcome some deep-rooted prejudices. 

Encouragingly, I think we’re seeing more active participation by young people in both formal and informal politics, including campaigning on particular issues, such as the environment.  That’s something we’ve supported and encouraged and meeting bright, active young people has always been one of the things that gives me hope for Armenia’s future, whatever the challenges ahead.  The biggest issue though is to ensure that those young people see their future in Armenia, and that they have the opportunity to put their talents to work here, rather than joining the steady outflow of people away from the country. 

I have occasionally apologised for adding to that outflow by marrying one of those bright young Armenians, and I will be forcing her to leave, at least temporarily to come with me to Vienna for my next job.  As she pointed out though, it’s open to debate if I’m taking her away from Armenia or she is taking me to Armenia.  At any rate, I look forward to returning to this fascinating country.

When asked for my feelings on departure, I’ve tended to say that I’m a frustrated optimist: there is a lot of potential and I’ve come across many capable, smart people.  But somehow the necessary changes have rarely moved as fast or as far as I would hope.  But I remain optimistic that positive changes can and should continue. [...]

And now I’d like to welcome Jonathan Aves and Katherine Leach, new British ambassadors in Yerevan. I have to admit, like many, at first I thought such a dual appointment is a pretty bizarre arrangement. This is probably because there was no much precedent for us and that’s what we used to see: one ambassador per country. But hey... “Two for one”. Normally, a good deal :) Anyone familiar with my blog would know that I frequently defy what was “expected”, “used to” or the “norm”. And I am pretty open and excited to see this new arrangement in action.

I met Jonathan and Katherine in London and have to say they seem full of energy and enthusiasm to contribute for best in Armenia. Here is hoping they will double their efforts in pursuing the issues and more mentioned by Charles in his farewell post.

*pictures - via British Embassy Yerevan FB page and MFA.

Tweetathon, march, “wall of shame” - Armenia marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Tweetathon
To raise awareness of this year's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign and of gender-based violence in general, a group of civil society organisations are planning a Tweetathon this Friday, 25 Nov 2011. Friday is the first of the 16 Days and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

To participate in the Tweetathon, please join the conversation by using the #16days hashtag. Here are a few suggestions via Women’s Resource Center and PINK Armenia:

"This Friday is #IDEVAW and the start of #16days2011. Join the #16days tweetathon on 25 Nov to spread awareness about #GBV & #VAW" 

"Today is #IDEVAW and the start of #16days2011. What can we do to combat #GBV & #VAW all year? Share your thoughts using the #16days hashtag" 

"Happening now: #16days tweetathon. Check out what people are saying about #GBV & #VAW and join the conversation! #IDEVAW #16days2011" 

"#FollowFriday: the #16days tweetathon! #GBV #VAW #IDEVAW #16days2011 #FF"

March
Few stats via Women’s Resource Center, Armenia:

1 in every 3 women experiencing domestic violence around the world are also subjected to sexual assault.
In the first semester of 2011 there were 10 registered legal cases on trafficking in Armenia; 8 are related to sexual trafficking of women.
In Armenia, women are still getting abortions based on gender choice (favoring male fetuses over female). The gender ratio has reached a scandalous level and organizations are getting worried.
In Armenia, we have 131 deputies and only 11 among them are women.
Poverty strikes women the most; globally 70% among the poorest are women.
In Armenia, we have 18 ministers, among them only 2 are women.
In the world, 95% of victims of domestic violence are women.
No one will be protected against violence if we stay silent!
In Armenia, approximately 1 671 012 of the population is female.
You have 1 671 012 reasons to join this march to stop violence against women and girls on 25 November!

Street action "Wall of shame" 

(Unzipped: reminds me in concept my Hall of Shame)

Women's Rights Center organises a street action called "Wall of shame" in the framework of 16 Days of Activism. During the action a poster demonstrating husband’s violent behavior towards her wife (the scene is caught by their little daughter) will be presented in the center of the avenue. Papers and pens will be distributed to the passersby, who may express their feelings and comments on that picture. It is anticipated that the picture will be covered with different comments of the passersby until the end of the action.

Exposed: racism and 'blood purity' part of ideology of Armenia ruling Republican party?

Thanks to a Facebook friend of mine, I did something I have never done before (or never had any desire whatsoever to do). I looked at the library of ideological publications produced by Armenia's ruling Republican party. In particular, one ‘fundamental’ and pretty 'mind-blowing’ publication. Trust me, that was more than enough for me. What I read there is disgusting, and believe you me, "disgusting" is an understatement.

It's a publication about ‘foundations’ of Armenian family and gender roles (published by Republican party in 2002 and available under the “library” section of their official website).

It uses N-word to refer to black people and 'justifies' the notion of 'purity of blood' calling for no mixed marriages in order to preserve... yes, that very same 'purity of blood' + more racist rant. I am not even going further into their 'defining' of gender roles etc. If this is not a Nazi and racist ideology, then what is it?

For a country with European inclination, or in fact for any country, this is an appalling display of what should have no place in modern world, let alone as part of the ideology of ruling party.  I wonder if Armenia president and PM, as party leaders, are aware of these ideological 'pearls' and whether they share what is supposedly part of their own party ideology? Either they should immediately ditch them from their 'library' and distance themselves from what was expressed in this and similar party publications or people associated with the Republican party risk putting shame on themselves and on Armenia's reputation.

Just to illustrate the point, below are only few extracts from the “Armenian Family” (“ՀԱՅ ԸՆՏԱՆԻՔ” - AM) publication (Republican Party of Armenia, Yerevan 2002):

Երբ մի քանի տարի առաջ ժառանգաբան Նվարդ Քոչարին հարցրեցինք, թե արդյոք ինքը համաձայն կլիներ, որ հայը, օրինակ, նեգրի հետ ամուսնանար, նա պատասխանեց.

- Եթե ընտրեց, ամուսնացավ, այո, համաձայն եմ: Կարեւորը որ նա հայկական միջավայրում ապրի եւ հայանա: Ինչ վատ կլինի, եթե նեգրի երաժշտականությունը, ռիթմի զգացողությունը ներմուծվի:

Թե ինչպես պիտի նեգրը հայանա, նույնիսկ երեւակայությունը թույլ չի տալիս պատկերացնել: Իսկ որ հայերս երաժշտականության բնածին պակաս ունենք եւ ստիպված պիտի ուրիշից ներմուծենք, շատ անլուրջ է:

Ներկայումս խառնազգի ամուսնությունները մեզանում (լինի Հայրենիքում, թե Սփյուռքում) առավելապես կատարվում են հաշվենկատորեն, երբ, բարեկեցիկ կյանքի ակնկալիքով, շատ հայեր “ամուսնանում” են եվրոպացիների, ամերիկացիների, արդեն` նաեւ պարսիկների, արաբների հետ:

Արյունախառնության կողմնակիցները գտնում են, որ իբր խաչասերումից առաջացած սերունդն ավելի ոժեղ և խելոք է լինում: Դժվար թե: [...] օրինակ, մուլատների մոտ ակնհայտ են մտավոր պակասությունները:

"Break the silence on violence!" - social ad and exhibition by Armenian women's rights groups

Social ad created by the Women's Resource Center's volunteers Sarag Blue and Kathy Moughalian, edited by Sarkissian Tamar - on violence against women.
***
7 April 2011, 1-6pm, Charles Aznavour Square (in front of "Moscow" cinema), Yerevan, Armenia

"Respect women - stop violence" exhibition organised by another activist group - Women's Rights Center in Yerevan: "to raise public awareness on the negative influence of domestic violence against women and children. During the exhibition silhouettes of 7 women with attached true stories on them will be exhibited and the passersby will be handed informative leaflets and booklets on domestic violence phenomenon." For more details, see event's Facebook page.

Daniel Craig in drag to support Equality - 8 March International Women's Day

This is Daniel Craig as you've never seen him before. He appears here in drag as part of the EQUALS project, charity led by Annie Lenox, in honour of International Women's Day.

*via The Huffington Post. Thanks to Onnik for the link.

Civil society against domestic violence in Armenia (open letter, call for action and latest video report)

I remember when relatively recently the Women's Resource Centre wanted to put posters in Yerevan to highlight the problem of domestic violence and indicate hotline for those affected to call, the Yerevan municipality refused to allow it by claiming there is no such problem in Armenia. Typical mentality. Let's pretend that we do not have such problem, let's not talk about it, otherwise it may affect our image... Instead of facing up the problem and developing effective means to tackle it. In the meantime, cases, like the one below, keep happening...
***
Open Letter by Society Without Violence

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Dear friends,

As you are already informed, on October 1, 2010 in Masis town a shocking murder was committed. A 20 year old Zaruhi Petrosyan was killed by her husband and mother in law as a result of torture and physical violence.

The link http://news.am/rus/news/33152.html and video materials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVUBPD2gdQY provided by News.am are the vivid evidence of the inhuman tortures and treatment that Zaruhi Petrosyan underwent during her life-time, violence which brought to the death of 20 year old young woman.

Unfortunately, the cases of physical violence are not rare in our reality, and in some context the indifference of the society and unfair attitude towards violence victims can lead to such irreversible losses.

As a women’s rights NGO members, we call Human Rights organizations, activists, interested people, mass-media and international organizations to be observant, to highlight this case by every possible way of dissemination, to provide the publicity and transparency of the case investigation and the trial for reaching the fair judgment of 20 year-old woman’s murderers.

Otherwise the stereotypes, that such crimes are inter-family issues, that such cases do not deserve to be in the public’s and law enforcement bodies’ attention will have more and profound roots in our society.

With our silence we will allow such crimes to be justified and guilty people to avoid the punishment determined by law. In other words, by our silence we will have more innocent victims.

If you are interested in the participation of the discussion on this case, please do not hesitate to contact by the following e-mail: arutshyan@yahoo.com

Regards,

Society Without Violence
***
Women's Resource Centre calls for 'Time for action' against domestic violence in Armenia, and asks interested people to join the cause by calling the centre on 51 91 68 (local phone number).
***

***
According to the latest news, Zaruhi's husband is detained and charged with 'causing severe bodily harm in a cruel manner'.

Thank you, stranger!

I was carrying a pretty heavy luggage through London underground (metro) the other day and a guy, one of the fellow commuters, offered his hand to help. Nothing special, you might think. But it was special to me. It has never happened to me before. I mean never before a guy, complete stranger, would offer me help in such situation. I have not noticed this man-helping-man-in-transport-of-London pattern around too. What I normally see is when a guy offering help to another woman. I personally did offer such help too quite a few times, but it never occurred to me offering similar help to another guy. (Btw, I have not seen a reversed example: woman offering help to a man in similar matters. Oh, gender roles...)

When he offered his help, at first I was confused and thanked him by saying it’s OK, I can do it myself. But then he insisted, and I agreed... and it felt nice. Simple and nice. Thank you.

"I received flowers today"... ("Այսոր ես ծաղիկներ ստացա"...)

*via Women's Resource Centre Youtube channel:

from the candle lighting ceremony on November 25 to end violence against women. Elvira Meliksetyan from the Women's Resource Center is reading a poem [in Armenian] on domestic violence by an unknown author. 

Armenia: violence against women (posters, part 1)

For part 2 - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Look at these posters. Difficult, I know. Chilling, I know. ...But do not turn away. Let’s face up these real life stories of violence against women still happening in our society.

These posters will be translated into Armenian, and used throughout the country as part of the campaign by Women’s Resource Centre to stop violence against women.

On November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Women’s Resource Center in Yerevan will mobilize community members and other NGOs to protest gender violence. The events planned for November 25th will mark the beginning of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls, which will include an exhibition and film screening at Kino Moscow in December. This will be the fourth year that the Women’s Resource Center has joined countries around the world in organizing events on November 25th to raise awareness about the issue of gender violence.

*posters by zArt - Araz Artinian

Iranian protest, Trafalgar square, London - 26 July 2009

"Everyone is equal": Discrimination is prohibited under Armenian Constitution

To mark Constitution Day, I'd like to re-post this article from the Armenian Constitution which prohibits discrimination on any ground. Now if only words turn into practice...

Constitution of RA

Article 14.1 Everyone shall be equal before the law.
Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or other personal or social circumstances shall be prohibited.

ՀՀ սահմանադրությունը

Հոդված 14.1. Բոլոր մարդիկ հավասար են օրենքի առջեւ:
Խտրականությունը, կախված սեռից, ռասայից, մաշկի գույնից, էթնիկական կամ սոցիալական ծագումից, գենետիկական հատկանիշներից, լեզվից, կրոնից, աշխարհայացքից, քաղաքական կամ այլ հայացքներից, ազգային փոքրամասնությանը պատկանելությունից, գույքային վիճակից, ծնունդից, հաշմանդամությունից, տարիքից կամ անձնական կամ սոցիալական բնույթի այլ հանգամանքներից, արգելվում է:

"Armenian Women in Turkey Are Doubly Discriminated Against", Women Protests in Turkey

For all these - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia (based on Bianet coverage - here and here)

*source of photo - Bianet

International Women’s Day in Armenia: small women’s march, riot police van, 'private burial' of “Red Apple”, business as usual

For details:

Onnik Krikorian's original reporting - Burying the Red Apple

My reflections: Unzipped: Gay Armenia

*photos - by Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009 (+ The Caucasian Knot - Oneworld Multimedia Facebook Group)

Women's Month in Armenia - 2009

It is soon Women's Day in Armenia and this year women are asking for more than flowers and chocolate, they are asking for equal rights, equal opportunities and a life without violence.

The Women's Resource Center in cooperation with other NGOs is launching the activites for the Month dedicated to women's issues in Armenia.

For details - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Armenia’s “Human Rights Day”

10 December – Human Rights Day, 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Around 70 political prisoners.

No free and fair elections on any level (with few minor exceptions).

Restrictions to freedom of assemblies/rallies.

Electronic media (TV), which is the most accessible media in Armenia, is not free or partly free. Situation became slightly better but it's more of a cosmetic nature than a real change. There are still banned TV channels (A1+, Noyan Tapan). Print media is effectively free. However, it does not have enough circulation and population access.

Armenian courts are not independent, and many court cases remind absurd theatres.

Non-stop pressures on businesses close to the opposition to ‘surrender’.

There are problems in relation to all aspects of human rights: children rights, women rights, gender equality, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity...

The best thing to happen in human rights field in Armenia was the introduction and functioning of the Human Rights Ombudsman, both as a person and as an institution. It's far from perfect in terms of work and influence, but recent evidence proves that Armenia’s Human Rights Ombudsman was able to assist in protecting human rights in our country, like no other state person/institution in Armenia. I would consider Armen Harutyunyan as a Person of the Day.

There are also encouraging signs on international level showing that at least based on some recent instances Armenian government aligns itself with the more progressive segments of international community. In particular, I commend Armenian government for signing under the proposed French-sponsored and EU-backed UN statement against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (separate post on this unprecedented action is upcoming), as well as signing European treaty which potentially grants adoption rights to same-sex couples. So far, Armenia is the only country in the region to endorse above mentioned international documents.

It was amusing to read speaker of Armenian parliament Hovik Abrahamyan’s statement on Human Rights Day: "Human rights will be at the centre of attention of Armenian parliament". First, Armenian parliament has to be representative of population, which is – disappointingly - not. Then, it has to prove that it indeed an institution to protect human rights, which is – disappointingly - not.

It's easy to issue statements and declarations on human rights. It's completely different matter and pretty tough to actually mean it and make them work.

Picture of the Day

Women's Resource Centre: for Armenia free of any type of discrimination

Feminist – first openly feminist magazine of modern Armenia

There’s no pride in silence: domestic and sexual violence against women in Armenia

Report issued today by the Amnesty International (to be formally launched in Yerevan tomorrow) suggests that “more than a quarter of women in Armenia have faced physical violence at the hands of husbands or other family members. Many of these women have little choice but to remain in abusive situations as reporting violence is strongly stigmatized in Armenian society.”

Women’s Resource Centre in Armenia organises march against violence against women on 25 November 2008.

For details - see Unzipped: Gay Armenia