Armenia and Orlando

*Also on Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Armenia president Serj Sargsyan strongly condemns “horrendous manifestation of intolerance” and “any expression of hatred”. At least, this is how he formulated his reaction to Orlando in a letter of condolences to the US president Obama following attack on LGBT club Pulse.

President Serzh Sargsyan sent a letter of condolences to the President of the United States Barack Obama on a horrible terrorist act which took place at a club in Orlando, claiming several dozens of innocent lives and wounded. The President of Armenia strongly condemned this horrendous manifestation of intolerance and underscored that the misfortune, that has befallen the friendly American people, proves once again that any expression of hatred is still a serious challenge to the humanity and it is our shared responsibility and mission to address them.

ՑԱՎԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ ՍԵՐԺ ՍԱՐԳՍՅԱՆԸ ՑԱՎԱԿՑԱԿԱՆ ՀԵՌԱԳԻՐ Է ՀՂԵԼ ԱՄՆ ՆԱԽԱԳԱՀ ԲԱՐԱՔ ՕԲԱՄԱՅԻՆ 13.06.2016 Նախագահ Սերժ Սարգսյանը ցավակցական հեռագիր է հղել Ամերիկայի Միացյալ Նահանգների Նախագահ Բարաք Օբամային՝ Օռլանդո քաղաքի ակումբում տեղի ունեցած սահմռկեցուցիչ ահաբեկչության կապակցությամբ, որի հետևանքով զոհվել և վիրավորվել են մի քանի տասնյակ անմեղ մարդիկ: Հանրապետության Նախագահը խստորեն դատապարտել է անհանդուրժողականության այս զարհուրելի երևույթը և ընդգծել, որ բարեկամ ամերիկացի ժողովրդին պատուհասած այդ դժբախտությունը կրկին ապացուցեց, որ ատելության բոլոր դրսևորումները, որոնց հաղթահարումը բոլորի հավաքական պարտքն ու առաքելությունն է, նույնիսկ 21-րդ դարում շարունակում են մնալ լրջագույն մարտահրավեր մարդկության համար:

4 years ago his party spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov (currently deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament) endorsed firebombers of gay friendly DIY bar in Armenia capital Yerevan.

“All those who are trying to protect homosexuals, who are perverting our society, are defaming the Armenian national identity. As an Armenian citizen and member of a national-conservative party, I find the rebellion of the two young Armenian people against the homosexuals, who have created a den of perversion in our country and have a goal of alienating the society from its moral values, completely right and justified. And those human rights defenders, who are trying to earn cheap dividends from this incident, I urge them first and foremost to protect the national and universal values”, said Eduard Sharmazanov.

He echoed his colleague, MP from ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan (currently minister of economy) who justified the attack towards LGBT friendly bar, saying the firebombers acted in accordance with the "context of our societal & national ideology, in the right way”. It was then revealed that Armenian MPs from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Artsvik Minasyan and Hrayr Karapetyan bailed out one of the detained arsonists, while the other one was released on signature that he won’t leave the country.

DIY firebombers were effectively pardoned. They got conditional sentencing and a symbolic fine.

And now Armenia president condemns Orlando using pretty strong wording, albeit without the mention of “LGBT”. A change of heart or simply a hypocrisy directed at outside world? How genuine Armenia president was when condemning Orlando would be determined by whether his regime would indeed crack down on anti-LGBT hatred inside Armenia.

Following Orlando, a significant proportion of users (not just trolls) on Armenian social networks, particularly the Armenian segment of Facebook, either kept silence or could not resist their ‘happiness’ at killing of LGBT people.

They were effectively proclaiming the killer a hero. These are the same people who change their profile pictures demanding the world to recognise the Armenian Genocide. These are the same people who were outraged when an axe murderer of Armenian was pardoned by Azeri president and turned into a ‘national hero’.

One of the organisers of Orlando solidarity event in Yerevan, executive director of PINK Armenia Mamikon Hovsepyan, said “it was painful for him to witness Armenians’ reaction to the attack, which included advocacy of hatred and insults targeting the LGBT+ community.”

“People without the elementary capacity to think began to justify the criminal. I do not understand how a crime against humanity can be justified. Many in Armenia have been aggressive and have even expressed support for the terrorists, inviting them to Armenia, which is very sad and inhumane. Today we came here to express our solidarity with the families of the victims.” Hovsepyan said.

The activist added that he was left “dumbstruck” by Armenian President, head of ruling Republican Party Serzh Sargsyan sending his condolences to U.S. President Barack Obama in connection with the shooting; “It would have been great had [the condolences] been genuine and heartfelt. But I don’t believe it; because the same party that justified 4 years ago [the attack on a LGBT-friendly pub in Yerevan] today extended its condolences in connection with a similar act. I do find it ironic, and yet I’d like to believe that they’ve changed.” 

It was disheartening to read PINK Armenia calling fellow Armenians ‘to respect innocent victims & not defend terrorist acts’.

We call on our fellow Armenian friends and citizens to respect the innocent victims, and not to defend terrorism and terrorist acts.

Կոչ ենք անում մեր հայրենակիցներին հարգել անմեղ զոհերին, այլ ոչ թե պաշտպանել ահաբեկչությունն ու ահաբեկչական գործողությունները։

Even two main US-based Diaspora Armenian publications (Asbarez and The Armenian Weekly) kept silence on Orlando for 3 days, before posting a more general op-ed or a report from Yerevan. As my Facebook friends noted, it's because no straight Armenian was killed.

I have to say that mainstream media in Armenia, at least on this occasion, overall reported on the events respectfully, including regarding LGBT people (example).

As was mentioned on the Russian service of BBC, in relation to reactions in Russia, this event showed that not everyone in our society a homophobe ("У нас есть четкое понимание того, что общество уже не едино в гомофобии.”). This is applicable to Armenia too. Not necessarily the most optimistic conclusion but a basis for hope.

Text-book hypocrisy: Armenia hosts Council of Europe conference on combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance in Europe

UPDATE on Unzipped: Gay Armenia: P.S. The action. Photo, video, media reports: Armenia human rights activists protest and enter CoE conference in Yerevan exposing ruling regime’s hypocrisy
***
On Monday Armenia hosts Council of Europe conference on "Combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance in Europe".

Just to remind that racism and ‘blood purity‘ are part of the ideology of ruling Republican party.

Earlier foreign minister Nalbandyan “told the Assembly that the Armenian Chairmanship is supporting the No Hate speech Movement” (source). What? Supporting "no hate speech movement"?! Needless to say that Armenia has no hate speech or hate crime legislation. It's all words. One face for the outside world, the very different one - for internal consumption.

In reality, high level Armenian officials condone anti-gay attacks, stir-up nationalism, intolerance, hate speech, xenophobia and racism.

This legal vacuum was clearly illustrated in May 2012 with the attack on gay-friendly bar DIY. This fuelled a rise in violence against the LGBT community, including by high profile politicians from the ruling Republican party, as well as church representatives and local media, which frequently relay messages of homophobic impunity (Yes to domestic violence and Yes to attacking gays).

The notion of diversity was once again attacked few days later, when neo-nazi elements attacked Diversity march to mark United Nation’s World Day of Cultural Diversity. They were encouraged by endorsement of homophobic hysteria and anti-gay violence on a very high state level that followed firebombing of DIY bar.

Other examples? Repeated attempts to hold Azeri film festival in Armenia sparked hatred and xenophobia, with direct physical attacks and abundance of hate speech.

More examples? More recent ones? In abundance.

Here is perhaps the most outrageously bizarre one. Deputy sports/youth minister of Armenia, neo-nazi Asryan claimed that opposition MP Zaruhi Postanjian should be burnt alive (!) for her CoE question. And... nothing. Still holds his position. No criminal proceeding. No challenge from the human rights ombudsman. No nothing. You would think that MPs from ruling party of the Council of Europe chairmanship country would retract the insults, reprimand their colleague at the very least? Nope. Pro-Government MPs Stand By Insults with more racist and xenophobic comments.

Of course, there was no challenge from the ombudsman because he himself was busy flirting with neo-nazi. Armenia human rights ombudsman targets trans sex workers and cites neo-nazi website as a basis for his statement.

More? There have been direct threats on Armenian Facebook to attack women rights and activists as part of 'gender equality' law hysteria. And the very latest demonstration of hatred by groups linked to certain elements within the ruling regime and Russia. A demonstration headed by high level priests against the law on gender equality and against human rights of LGBT people. This instantly reminded of ‘taburetka syndrom’ observed in Tbilisi earlier this year.

*picture - as shared on FB

The above are only few examples. This list can go on and on.

Before hosting such forums, first and foremost Armenia authorities must ensure in-house their determination and actions - not words or signatures, but real life actions - to combat intolerance, hate speech, xenophobia and racism. Right now, Armenia is not necessarily an oasis of tolerance in the region. It could have been. But it's not.

What we are witnessing with hosting such conference is a text-book example of hypocrisy.

So when you read headlines about this conference hosted by Armenia authorities, repeat after me: hypocrisy.

***
Group of human rights activists intend to hold a protest action in front of the conference venue on Monday, exposing hypocrisy of the ruling regime in Armenia.

FB event (AM): Հոկտեմբերի 21-22ը Երևանի Մարիոթ Արմենիա հյուրանոցում տեղի կունենա "Պայքար Եվրոպայում խտրականության, այլատյացության և անհանդուրժողականության դեմ" միջազգային խորհրդաժողով: Նույն օրը առավոտյան 10:15-ին Մարիոթ Արմենիա հյուրանոցի դիմաց վերոնշյալ խնդրով մտահոգ Հայաստանի ակտիվ քաղաքացինները իրենց բողոքի ձայնը կբարձրացնեն Հայաստնում իշխանությունների կողմից իրականացվող խտրականության, այլատյացության և անհանդուրժողականության դեմ:

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.

Anatomy of violence, or Armenia MP (president of Football Federation) Ruben Hayrapetyan slaughterhouse

Military doctor severely beaten by bodyguards of Armenia MP, president of Football Federation Ruben Hayrapetyan (aka 'Nemets Rubo') has died on 29 June. [For background to this story, read: Unbearable cruelty of being of Armenia tycoon - turned MP - turned Football Federation president & his entourage]



Video above details some of the 'heroic' pages from the history of violence of disgraced Armenia MP, president of Football Federation, oligarch Ruben Hayrapetyan, nicknamed 'Nemets Rubo'.

Posting this video, Hetq Online reminds how 'Nemets Rubo' threatened and/or enacted violence towards journalists, drug addicts, and (more recently) gays. The author righty points out that after all the violent rhetoric and actions, there should be no surprise that we witnessed yet another violence, this time with more tragic consequences. [Ռուբեն Հայրապետյանը միշտ զգուշացրել է (վիդեո)]

To remind, following recent firebombing of gay friendly bar DIY in Yerevan, ‘Nemets Rubo‘ said he “condemns terrorism” but “in favour of punishing gays and ready to do it myself”. “We should think of another way of punishing to eradicate them from our society.”

Other high profile MPs from ruling Republican party who supported firebombers and encouraged anti-gay violence include vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament, spokesman of the Republican party Eduard Sharmazanov, and MP, (now) secretary of Republican party parliamentary group Hovhannes Sahakyan. 
[I recommend reading Հոդված ատելության մասին by Sergey Danielyan too]

Last night, there was a candlelight vigil in Yerevan in memory of beating victim Vahe Avetyan. People gathered in front of the restaurant where the violence took place [Harsnaqar restaurant belongs to 'Nemets Rubo'] Many held 'I am Vahe Avetyan' posters condemning violence, calling for boycott of oligarch MP businesses and his resignation as MP and president of Football Federation.

Among protesters rightly condemning violence, I noticed two well known personalities who have their share of moral responsibility for this atmosphere of hatred and violence.

Armenian MP from the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party Armen Rostomyan said nothing when his colleagues from the ARF party, and in particular Artsvik Minasyan, Hrayr Karapetyan and Artur Aghabekyan supported firebombers and at least in case of Artsvik Minasyan (+ here) and Artur Aghabekyan openly encouraged anti-gay violence.

Larisa Alaverdyan, former MP and ex-Ombudsman, effectively sided with homophobes during TV programme discussing attacks towards gay friendly bar and Diversity march.




Below are two pictures from the candlelight vigil protest action via CivilNet and PanArmenian FB page.

*picture via CivilNet/Seda Grigoryan

*"Slaughterhouse" written on the wall of Harsnaqar restaurant, picture via PanArmenian/Hrant Khachatryan [Հանցաքար" և "Սպանդանոց" գրվեցին ռեստորանի պատերին]

Civil protest? More like a mob rule against organiser of Azeri film festival in Armenia

After previous unsuccessful attempt, the Azerbaijani film festival - this time in Armenia’s second town Gyumri on 12 April - was yet again cancelled amid ‘campaign of terror’, police inaction and safety concerns, as the organiser explained.

Unfortunately, like two years ago, we witnessed similar level of nationalist hysteria.

Along with other medium, anti-Azerbaijani film festival Facebook page was set up full of hatred and with open calls at life of the organiser Georgi Vanyan.

Below is a screenshot of just one such example, with a description of ‘murder plot’.

Notorious mayor of Gyumri used the occasion to spearhead the nationalist parade against the film festival.

@onewmphoto: Poor Gyumri. Noted for its architecture & humor in the Soviet era, devastated by the 1988 earthquake, & now the fiefdom of Vartan Ghukasian

This was a campaign of bullying, intimidation, hate speech, direct death threats, psychological and physical abuse towards someone who you do not agree with. This was not a ‘civil’ protest. More like a mob rule.

Video of attack demonstrates this clearly.

As one of my Facebook friends commented on his page: is this how civilised and cultured people need to react to showing of film? “Do these protesters realize how insecure and weak they appear? So shameful...”

As I mentioned re relevant circumstances two years ago:

I strongly believe that art, and culture, do not recognise borders. Even if countries are at the state of war. Art, and films, are the best way for ordinary people to get to know each other better, to break the ice, even or especially in case of closed borders. There is also internet, of course, and meetings outside the national borders.

I have no problem if there are people who protest the idea or the fact of the festival. It’s their right. But do it in a (at least remotely) civilised way, without engaging the lowest possible denominator of nationalist/racist crap, personal attacks and threats to individuals. There is a fine line when freedom of speech gets transformed into something that should be considered within the frames of legal/criminal code. Many have already crossed that line.

Once again, freedom of speech lost in Armenia. Once again, state structures in Armenia failed to protect constitutional rights and freedom of their citizens. There were no winners.

*Recommended reading:

Armenia: Nationalist Threats Against Local Activist

Armenia: Support for Georgi Vanyan

Picture of the Day: "We came, we stripped, we conquered" (re Ukraine feminist group Femen)

Brilliant front page of The Sunday Times magazine:

"We came, we stripped, we conquered" re Ukraine feminist group Femen.

Sign of our times: ‘Facebook flag’ at Armenia opposition rally

*picture - © PanARMENIAN Photo / Tigran Melkonyan

This is an incredible picture. The ‘Facebook flag’ was seen waving at Armenia opposition rally. A sign of how Facebook (or Internet, in its broader social context) became a symbol of alternative reality for many in Armenia (and Diaspora). A medium where discussions are held, news are exchanged, actions are initiated and coordinated. A reality facilitated by the lack of independent free TV in Armenia, as well as alternative voices breaking through the limits and barriers of ‘formal’ media via blogs or similar platforms. This, in turn, boosted the development of online media, including traditional media outlets’ increasing online presence, and more prominently on Facebook. A virtual country attached to the offline one, with increasing presence of politicians and activists of various levels and interests, with possibilities to influence and being influenced.

We may love or hate Facebook, but with its increasing influence on political and social life in Armenia, the factor of ‘Armenian Republic of Facebook’ or ‘Facebook Republic of Armenia’ is difficult to impossible to ignore.

Top cop revenge? Prominent opposition journalist detained in Armenia for ... “traffic accident” related charges

Now that we have a very ‘sophisticated’ police chief in Armenia, if you get detained for your professional or social, political activities, you may be framed in a very ‘sophisticated’ way, indeed. No more drugs into your pocket (too cheap!), the whole scenario - for example, a “traffic accident” - may be directed to set you up. In this case, Hayk Gevorgyan - well known journalist of best selling pro-opposition daily Haykakan Zhamanak.

Sensing an outrage by journalistic, online, civil society and human rights circles, police.am issued a video to ‘defend’ their stance, including an interview with the alleged victim of the accident. A video that is so pathetic - with that ‘killing’ voice-over so in style of Soviet-like propaganda - that even if there is truth in police report, no one would believe them.

This brief humorous YouTube video uploaded after the detention of Hayk Gevorgyan shows just how believable many would consider police actions and ‘justifications’. Video was prepared by... “VovTV” (short of the name of police chief - Vladimir Gasparyan - “Vova”) and uploaded by... “ZimbabweFish”.



Ironically, only a week or so ago, as per Press Freedom Index 2011/12 released by Reporters Without Borders, Armenia significantly improved its rankings and considered the best in the South Caucasus and broader region.

Even if for a moment, just for a moment, we believe there could be ground in charges forwarded towards journalist, why on earth he has to be arrested awaiting trial?

True, it seems counter-intuitive and not in authorities’ interest to detain such a well known figure taking into account the very expected local and international reaction that would follow, as well as upcoming opposition rallies and parliamentary elections. So was this done, as many speculate, out of personal “vendetta” by police chief? In particular, as a consequence of the following articles published in Haykakan Zhamanak daily:

Եւ Աստված ասաց` Վովա
ԵԹԵ ԱՊՊԱ, ԱՊԱ ՊԱՊԱ
Մի կպիր, որ չկպցնես

In a press conference today, editor of Haykakan Zhamanak, prominent opposition figure Nikol Pashinyan said: "If you think that freedom of Hayk Gevorgyan is only a matter for Haykakan Zhamanak then your freedom is a matter for Haykakan Zhamanak too" ["Եթե դուք գտնում եք որ Հայկ Գևորգյանի ազատությունը միայն ՀԺ-ի հարցն ա, ուրեմն ձեր ազատությունը նույնպես ՀԺ-ի հարցն ա"]

Paris: Presse

Yerevan Diaries: newspapers; Google maps

Morning papers
In past, whenever I was in Yerevan, always started my morning with a pile of morning papers. Newspapers of broad range of affiliations or 'independent' ones were part of my daily routine. No longer. Have no desire whatsoever to purchase them. For now, my quick glancing at online outlets seem sufficient enough. Still, downloaded digital versions of The Guardian and The Independent.

Google maps - Yerevan
In past, I was looking at Google maps - Yerevan as something with more of a sentimental value, not for practical purposes. Yesterday, for the first time, I used it to find a particular street in downtown Yerevan. And it worked. And I loved it. From now on, its practical value seem more important to me.

Armenia: ...when it's OK that reporters are prohibited from sitting in on the trial

Was thinking about today's decision in Vanadzor to not allow journalists' presence (sitting in) at suspected pedophile trial. I reckon, it's for better, away from sensationalist reporting, and minimises the possibilities of breaching children's privacy.

Losers! Armenia TV censors president-related joke at Tashir 2011 pop music ceremony from Moscow

This was such a blatant censorship by Armenia TV that even Soviet-style apparatchiks would feel uncomfortable about. At least Soviet era communists were employing more sophisticated methods. They interrupted live coverage of humorist Garik Martirosyan's joke re Armenia president Serj Sargsyan during Tashir 2011 Armenian pop music ceremony from Moscow, by replacing it with the sketch of own production.

Immediately, @ArmComedy and myself @unzippedblog started commenting on Twitter and using hashtag #fail in relation to Armenia TV.

Around 30 mins later, they realised what a ridiculous thing they have done, and Garik went to the stage and repeated his joke. I am so not buying that Garik's joke was censored due to "technical glitch", as was announced during the ceremony. It was because Armenia TV got scared, and decided not to 'risk', just in case. At the end, as expected, the joke was anything but 'dangerous' for Armenian president.

Armenia TV made a laughing stock out of itself. There is one word for such people. Losers!

P.S. I am not going to comment here about the ceremony itself. Suffice to say, if not for Lara Fabian, I should have demanded an apartment in Yerevan as a compensation for wasted hours and serious attack of tastelessness.

The Duke (Prince Andrew) and The Despot (Azerbaijan president Aliyev)

Killing headline in today's Daily Mail following revelations in British media of dodgy connections of Prince Andrew as Britain’s “trade ambassador”. The Independent calls this “dangerous liaisons” “damaging him and the country” that turn “royal asset to national liability”.

AZERBAIJAN
Ilham Aliyev: Hardline President of oil-rich Azerbaijan, who in 2009 met Andrew with a view to establishing economic ties with Britain. Aliyev is accused by his opponents of electoral fraud, and has blocked media organisations including the BBC from broadcasting from his country. The Duke met Aliyev again at the Davos economic forum this year, while the Duke is also said to be friendly with his daughters, Leila and Arzu.

But Daily Mail’s headline nails it.

The Duke and The Despot


Revealed: Prince Andrew’s ‘close friendship’ with brutal billionaire dictator accused of torture and corruption

This is despite big oil related British interests in Azerbaijan.

And this is against the backdrop of reports coming from Baku re targeted detentions and torture of youth activists ahead of planned ‘Day of Protest’ in Azerbaijan on 11 March 2011.

*picture via Sky News

Vahram Petrosyan: witch-hunt

I did not even know this guy - Vahram Petrosyan - before this whole ‘story’ erupted (e.g.), and am not fan of his music (or any ‘klkloc’-like music), to say the least. But I cannot stand this witch-hunt, a targeted campaign by some media outlets (e.g. Shant TV) and others (using as a basis an edited script), and attempts at labeling people as and hunting for ‘enemy of nation’. If you do not agree with someone, just say it, without resorting to hate. Where this recent resurgence of ‘bloodthirstiness’ came from?

(here is one of the relatively recent examples I reflected on this blog too)

For this reason, I am posting this video and clarifications by Vahram Petrosyan (AM): “Վահրամ Պետրոսյանի ասուլիսը առանց մոնտաժի”

The funny thing is this guy is not even a rebel or indie or alternative, he is part of the mainstream Armenian pop scene (!).

Human Rights Watch: ‘Armenia's international partners, EU did not fully use their leverage to influence the human rights situation’

Below are selected extracts and headlines from Armenia chapter in Human Rights Watch annual world report reflecting events of 2010. I could sum up it as a year of lost opportunities for Armenian authorities and for re-establishing democracy and respect for human rights in Armenia.

1 March chapter still wide open

11 political prisoners

No thorough investigation into deaths

“Authorities have yet to ensure a meaningful investigation into, and full accountability for, excessive use of force by security forces during clashes with protestors in March 2008. Ten people were killed, including two security officials and eight protestors.  Only four police officers have been convicted of excessive use of force, in December 2009. They were sentenced to three years, but were amnestied immediately, and are only barred from working in law enforcement.

More than 50 civilians were prosecuted in relation to the March 2008 violence, with some sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Although a June 2009 presidential pardon released many of them, local human rights groups maintain that 11 opposition supporters remain imprisoned on politically motivated charges.

On January 19, a court sentenced Nikol Pashinyan, opposition leader and editor-in-chief of the Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper, to seven years imprisonment for allegedly organizing "mass disorders" during the March 2008 events. An appeals court upheld the decision but halved his sentence. In November 2010 Pashinyan claimed two masked men attacked and beat him in Kosh prison; the government denied the allegation.

In April 2010, relatives of nine victims killed in the March 2008 violence, the eight protestors and one of the soldiers, appealed unsuccessfully to court for a thorough investigation into the deaths.”

Torture and Ill-Treatment in police custody, army

“Local human rights groups report continued ill-treatment in police custody. For example, on April 13, 2010, police detained 24-year-old Vahan Khalafyan and four others in Charentsavan, north of Yerevan, on suspicion of robbery. Khalafyan died of knife wounds some hours later. Police say he stabbed himself with a knife obtained in the station, and deny allegations of ill-treatment.

On April 23, investigators charged the head of Charentsavan's Criminal Intelligence Department and three others with abuse of authority. The trial is ongoing at this writing. Khalafyan's relatives and human rights groups want additional murder and torture charges. An internal police investigation led to the dismissal of Charentsavan's police chief and three officers. The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (HCA) Vanadzor Office reported that police ill-treated two other men detained with Khalafyan. Police failed to conclusively investigate these incidents.

On August 27 a court ordered the investigation into the death in custody of Levon Gulyan be reopened. In May 2007, Gulyan was found dead following a police interrogation. Authorities say he jumped from the second-story of a police station trying to escape. Gulyan's relatives deny this, insisting he was tortured.

During a September 2010 visit the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention interviewed numerous detainees and prisoners who alleged beatings, other ill-treatment in police custody, and refusal by prosecutors and judges to admit evidence of the ill-treatment into court.

In September a YouTube video showed Army Major Sasun Galstyan beating and humiliating two conscripts. An investigation into abuse of power is ongoing.

In June the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found Armenia had twice violated the prohibition against inhuman or degrading treatment in the case of Ashot Harutyunyan. Convicted of fraud and tax evasion in 2004, Harutyunyan died of a heart attack in prison in January 2009. The court determined  authorities had denied him necessary medical care for his multiple chronic health problems, including heart disease, an ulcer, and diabetes.  The court also found the government's public restraint of Harutyunyan in a metal cage during his appeal hearings  amounted to degrading treatment.

On July 26, 14 human rights groups issued a statement citing a 20 percent  rise in the national prison population, which is leading to overcrowding, health problems, and conflicts among detainees.”

No independent TV station

Restrictions in freedom of assembly

Human rights defenders

“Police closed the investigation into the May 2008 attack on Armenian Helsinki Association Chairman Mikael Danielyan, who was wounded when an assailant shot him with a pneumatic gun after an argument. The investigation was allegedly closed due to lack of criminal intent. A court rejected Danielyan's appeal against the decision.

Mariam Sukhudyan, primarily an environmental activist, publicized on national television in November 2008 the case of two girls who alleged sexual harassment at a Yerevan school. Police charged Sukhudyan with falsely reporting a crime. On March 10, 2010, the United States Embassy awarded Sukhudyan its first ever Woman of Courage Award. A day later, the criminal case against her was dropped.”

Azeri blogger marks Hrant Dink's assassination anniversary by making Armenian language post

There are quite a few publications in Armenian and international (including Turkey and Azerbaijan) online space, blogs and media to mark the 4th anniversary of Hrant Dink's assassination in Turkey. But this particular post by well known Azeri blogger, musician and youth activist Araz Önər, currently based in the Netherlands, grabbed my attention. Not only by its content, which is good, but by posting it in Armenian too (available in EN, AZ and AM).

Below I re-post the Armenian version on my blog. Araz ends by transforming "We are all Hrant Dink" into "We are all free". If only...
***

Հրանտ Դինքի սպանությունը

Մարդիկ 17 տարեկանում կարող են շատ հիմար լինել: Եթե չորս տարի առաջ 17-ամյա Օզգուն Սամասթը իմանար, թե ում է սպանում, իր երիտասարդությունը չէր զոհաբերի նրանց համար, ովքեր իրեն ստիպեցին անել այդ ոճրագործությունը: Հրանտ Դինքը և´ հայերի, և´ թուրքերի համար պատմական կարևոր նշանակություն ունեցող լրագրող էր: Կարծում եմ նրա մահը մեծ հանցանք է ողջ աշխարհի ազատ լրագրողության դեմ:

Շատ ափսոս, որ Թուրքիայում 21-րդ դարում դեռևս մնացել են ֆաշիզմի հետքեր, որը սպառնալիք են դառնում այնտեղ ապրող արժեքավոր մարդկանց կյանքի համար:

Թուրքիան Նազիմ Հիքմեթներին, ում բարոյական և ֆիզիկական տառապանք է պատճառել, անգութաբար սպանված Հրանտ Դինքերին հետո կհասկանա և կգնահատի: Ներկայումս, ավաղ, Թուրքիան ոչինչ չի հասկանում: Այս ոճրագործությունը մի երիտասարդին վեագրելը ընդամենը մի խղճուկ փորձ է քողարկելու այն փաստը, որ սպանությունը կազմակերպվել է պետական մակարդակով: Դժվարանում եմ հասկանալ, թե ինչ էր մտածում թուրք ոստիկանը, որը ժպտում էր Օզգուն Սամասթի հետ թուրքական դրոշի տակ նկարվելիս…

Լինելով բլոգեր` կարծում եմ, որ Հրանտ Դինքի մահը մեծ հանցագործություն է թուրքական պետությունում ազատ խոսքի դեմ և խստորեն դատապարտում եմ այդ ոճիրը: Ի դեպ, չեմ ասում «բոլորս Հրանտ Դինք ենք, բոլորս հայ ենք», այլ ասում եմ «բոլորս ազատ ենք»:

My pick of newly/recently launched Armenian online news outlets

Recently, there has been surge in numbers of Armenian online news outlets. However, many newly launched resources are simply copying each other, at times almost indistinguishable, whether by look or content, and carrying the same news stories from site to site.

For now, the most successful is Tert.am that quickly became one of the main and popular sources of Armenia related news. I remember, up until a year or so ago, when I wanted to visit one site to know what’s going on in Armenia, the choice was obvious - A1+. Now it’s Tert.am for me. Let’s see if they’ll keep it up.

Another interesting project which I’d recommend you to check out is the Armenian Version. With the writer and journalist Lusine Vayachyan & co on board, the ArmVersion is fresh, and regularly posts challenging stories tackling sensitive and relatively taboo subjects.

Still, there is need for independent journalism from Armenia that - as The Independent would put it - “free from party-political ties and proprietorial influence”. Hetq.am is still OKish, but sadly it shifted more towards providing daily news (like dozen others) rather than investigative journalism which it was famous for.

Epress.am - new online outlet by independent journalists’ network in Armenia

Last week my attention grabbed this newly launched project - epress.am by the Independent Journalists’ Network. As I learned, the former editors of Tert.am are behind this project. It is available in three languages - Armenian, Russian and English. For now, they have a small team of journalists and translators working out of a rented apartment in central Yerevan.

Says Adrineh, the editor of the English-language version of the site: “The aim is to have news that's not pro-government and not pro-opposition. It's not about "who's side you're on" — it's about reporting the news, just the facts, objectively and without any other motives. The Independent Journalists' Network is the NGO and they/we are able to do the work we do because of funding from the Norwegian government. There's no other funding at the moment.”

Upcoming plans for epress.am include launching a Turkish-language version of the site and blogs section, both pending funding.

What I want to see on epress.am is independent and investigative journalism, with challenging stories, stories that I won’t necessarily find anywhere else.

Outrage as British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan

Shameful and utterly disappointing.

Read full post on Unzipped: Gay Armenia

UN expert calls for better protection of human rights defenders, including LGBT, in Armenia

Unfortunately, so far UN human rights missions in or outside the region did not give us hope that this will be anything but a paper-based exercise. Still, good to see that Margaret Sekaggya is highlighting some important issues which Armenian authorities should take into account not for the sake of international organisations but for the sake of our country.
***

18 June 2010 – Armenian authorities must take steps to protect human rights defenders, who are often physically attacked, harassed or stigmatized as they try to carry out their work in the Caucasus nation, an independent United Nations expert said today.

Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, also voiced concern about restraints on freedom of assembly in Armenia as she wrapped up a five-day fact-finding visit – the first visit to the country by a UN human rights envoy since 2000.

“I am worried by documented cases of ongoing violence, assaults, intimidation, harassment and stigmatization of defenders, in particular journalists,” she said in a statement issued in Yerevan, the capital.

“These cases would seem to illustrate an apparent culture of impunity in Armenia which impinges upon the work of human rights defenders. This impunity appears to be closely related to the deep-rooted problems within the police system as well as with the shortcomings of the justice system.”

She recommended that the Government implement a comprehensive reform of the police service, immediately take steps to tackle the problems in the justice system and set out an anti-corruption strategy for government.

Ms. Sekaggya, who met Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan during her visit, urged Armenian authorities to “undertake prompt, thorough and transparent investigations of all human rights violations, in particular attacks against journalists, in order to create a safe and enabling environment in which human rights defenders can carry out their activities.”

She also called on Mr. Sargsyan to publicly acknowledge the important role that human rights defenders play in a pluralistic and democratic society.

Human rights defenders and civil society groups should be consulted and included in decision-making processes, Ms. Sekaggya said, adding the specific needs of women defenders and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender defenders must also be addressed.

In addition the Special Rapporteur spoke out against what she described as “significant constraints” on freedom of assembly within Armenia, nothing that the right to peaceful, open and public demonstrations should be available to all.

“I also add my voice to those who have already expressed serious concerns about the amendments to the Law on Television and Radio. If signed into law by the President of Armenia, these amendments will further restrict and seriously hamper the plurality of voices and opinions available to Armenian society.”

Ms. Sekaggya serves in an independent and unpaid capacity and reports to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Her full report on the visit to Armenia will be presented to the Council in March next year.

*source: UN News Centre