Recap | November 2025
Training for law enforcement in Armenia on identifying and investigating hate crimes
A two-day training organised by the Council of Europe brought together police officers, prosecutors and investigators in Armenia to strengthen their ability to identify and investigate hate crimes. The programme, designed for law enforcement bodies, aimed to improve their understanding of hate-motivated incidents and equip them with practical tools for ensuring justice and protection for all individuals.
Throughout the training, participants gained deeper knowledge on recognising hate-motivated offences, conducting more effective investigations, and applying key Council of Europe standards, including relevant case law from the European Court of Human Rights. Specialists from the Pink NGO were also invited to share insights on sensitivity and best practices for working with LGBT+ people, contributing valuable civil-society perspectives to the discussions.
The event not only enhanced professional skills but also encouraged collaboration and dialogue between law enforcement and civil society. It further highlighted the prevalence of hate crimes in Armenia and their significant impact on victims and the community.
Systemic vulnerability in Armenia: the 2024 ODIHR review
As every year, the OSCE/ODIHR collected hate crime data from participating States and civil society organizations and presented its report. This year’s results are particularly concerning, when it comes to increasing patterns in cases of domestic violence, gender-based violence, blackmailing and the failure of implementation of legislation by the law enforcement bodies. Analysing the revieled data, we have identified key measures needed to address these systemic problems.
ODIHR emphasizes that an effective response to hate crimes requires specialized, accessible victim support systems, an area in which Armenia remains critically underdeveloped.
Armenia’s lack of structured collaboration between police and civil society organizations further weakens the support ecosystem. ODIHR recommends strengthening cooperation with LGBT-focused CSOs, which currently serve as the primary and sometimes the only trusted resource for victims. Without such collaboration, victims who approach the police may face further minimization and inconsistent examination rather than protection.
Nairi’s story
Hate speech and violence are never just words or actions, they can rob people of their identity, their ability to live in peace.
Pink produced an animation video, which is a story about Nairi, telling the painful reality that trans people in Armenia go through, in an environment of rejection, hatred, and indifference. Nairi could have been any of our friends. Let’s create a society where no one is isolated because of their identity, where all Nairis can continue to love the rain and life.
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LGBT+ community needs assessment
We are conducting an assessment to understand the needs of the LGBT+ community in Armenia. Everyone’s participation will help improve the services and protection provided by the organization.
Please, complete this anonymous questionnaire by December 7.
