To the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia

To the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia

We are writing to you on behalf of Equality Movement activists in Georgia. We are shocked to hear about the brutal attack on a transgender woman in her own apartment in Yerevan. According to the news, the offender has beaten the victim and has set her apartment on fire. Fortunately, the victim managed to escape the fire and was hospitalized with the heavy injuries.

According to human rights activists in Armenia, this is not the first fact of the violence on transgender persons. Transgender community members are verbally and physically insulted on a daily basis. We consider that one of the reasons of such violent environment is the absence of relevant legislation on hate-motivated crimes. Legislation of the Republic of Armenia does not provide comprehensive and procedural regulations for prevention, investigation and responsibility regarding hate crimes. Armenian criminal law does not define any core concepts related to hate crimes, specifically what hate crimes are, what are the protected characteristics, or specifications and other issues for responsibility and punishment of such crimes*.

In consideration of all the above, Equality Movement calls for the Republic of Armenia to:

– Ensure the fair and prompt investigation on the following case.

– Review and amend Armenian legislation on hate crimes in accordance with international human rights standards, as a means to ensure Armenia’s compliance with its international obligations.

– Carry out of a systemic and efficient policy on hate crimes which, on an institutional level, requires the establishment of a strategic plan, specialized police services, and the commissioning of independent internal monitoring mechanisms.

– Work on raising awareness in society for overcoming violence motivated by homo/bi/transphobia and supporting equality.

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*Pink Armenia, Report on Hate Crimes and Other Hate Motivated Incidents against LGBT People in Armenia – From Theory to Reality, p. 12, https://goo.gl/3JmW9M (15.03.18).