Armenian Blogger on Abrahamyan’s Homophobia and Oskanian’s Hypocrisy

Blogger Art Mika’s latest post highlights the irony in the Civilitas Foundation’s latest public forum in which local daily Aravot (“Morning”) chief editor Aram Abrahamyan will moderate a discussion featuring Civilitas Foundation founder and board president, as well as former foreign minister of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian. The post, titled “When hypocrisy meets homophobia: founder of Civilitas Foundation and editor of Aravot daily” reads as follows:

He never distanced himself from his own words. He never said “sorry” for one of the most disgusting displays of homophobia to come out from the editor of national daily: Homophobic editor of Armenian daily Aravot – Aram Abrahamyan – came out with another hate editorial. Yes, “sorry seems to be the hardest word”, and the least he could have done.

I have to say I am not surprised that homophobic editor of Armenian daily Aram Abrahamyan has been invited to moderate the first discussion in new series One Hundred Questions and Answers hosted by Civilitas Foundation. This is yet another display of hypocrisy by organisation that talks about European values and human rights.

Let’s not forget that founder of the Civilitas and first “guest” of the ‘100 questions’ forum is Vartan Oskanian who tries hard at rebranding himself as ‘human rights champion’. In his latest statement Oskanian denounced Armenia’s ruling coalition latest announcement:

“The ruling coalition’s announcement highlights the authorities’ disregard of democracy, elections and the public will.”

There is just one big problem here, Mr. Oskanian.

Vartan Oskanian was Armenia’s foreign minister during 1 March 2008 bloody crackdown on the opposition in the aftermath of falsified presidential election. He was silent regarding human rights abuses then. In fact, I am wrong, he was vocal in his support and excuse of ruling regime’s actions. I do not remember him ever coming clean or apologising. For real.

At least one reader of this blog who received the invitation below, has already sent a complaint to Civilitas regarding collaboration with the homophobic editor.

I thought it would be good if someone could go there and challenge both Vartan Oskanian’s hypocrisy and Aram Abrahamyan’s homophobia. As they say, the aim of these discussions is “to give the citizens a possibility to pose direct questions to personalities who are responsible for different areas of life of the society.”