Epress.am News from Armenia
The Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia (RA) has reacted to the incident after yesterday's trial in Gavar, when a group of individuals verbally and physically attacked journalists and representatives of women's rights organizations.
Recall, among the instigators was Armenian-Russian Union leader, former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party Robert Aharonyan (pictured), who intended to run for the 2013 presidential election. Outside the courtroom he shouted at activists and NGO representatives, some of whom were diasporan Armenians, urging them to "go back to your country".
"The day will come [when] we will deport you, [and] close the border. I am a supporter of strong families — not [derogatory Armenian term for gays]. Don't destroy the Armenian family with your European approaches," he said.
The Armenian Ombudsman's advisor Anna Safaryan condemned the incident and expressed hope that law enforcement bodies will respond appropriately and take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
"Once again we have witnessed harassment of human rights defenders, which is the result of the presence of impunity for such acts, imperfect regulation, and inadequate response by the competent authorities. Also concerning is despite efforts to raise public awareness on domestic violence, many still believe that a man has the right to slap [his] wife and domestic violence is befitting for Armenian society.
"Such behavior toward any person is generally objectionable but more unacceptable when it is directed toward those individuals who fight for the protection of the rights of others," reads the statement issued by the Armenian Human Rights Defender's Office.