Recap | May 2023
IDAHOBIT Week and Pink’s Annual Report
From May 15 to 20, Pink celebrated IDAHOBIT week as part of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. This year we planned to conduct an online campaign and a community event.
Within the framework of the online campaign, we published videos on topics related to LGBT people, an updated and re-edited version of Pink’s Sexuality booklet, and informational materials, as well as Pink’s “The Human Rights Situation of LGBT People in Armenia During 2022” annual report, which summarizes the violations of human rights recorded by the organization accompanied by discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
During IDAHOBIT week, Pink hosted a community event titled “Together Always: United in Diversity.” At the event, Armenian LGBT+ activists discussed several issues related to activism, sharing their ideas and vision. The future of the LGBT+ movement in Armenia and the opportunities to develop the movement were also discussed during the event.
The Dutch Commemorated the Victims of World War II
Remembrance Day of the Dead is held on May 4 in the Netherlands to commemorate the victims of World War II, followed by Liberation Day to mark the end of the German occupation.
Remembrance Day was observed in The Hague at a monument that symbolizes LGBTI people, anywhere in the world, persecuted or oppressed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity in the past and the present.
Mamikon Hovsepyan, head of communication of Pink human rights defender NGO, made a speech at the event. He noted that although progress has been made in protecting the rights of LGBTI people in several European countries, LGBTI people in many other countries still face difficulties and obstacles.
During his speech, Mamikon also touched on police violence and noted that the police refuse to investigate hate crimes properly, thereby double-discriminating LGBTI people.
At the event, the deputy mayor of The Hague also came up with a speech reinforcing the role of human rights defenders in protecting the rights of queer people.
ILGA-Europe 2023 Rainbow Map Was Published
On May 11, ILGA-Europe published its “Rainbow Europe Map and Index.” The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map and Index, published on May 11, 2023, assesses the legal and political proceedings applied to LGBTI people in 49 European countries. The Rainbow Map of Europe ranks all 49 European countries from 0% (gross violations of human rights, discrimination) to 100% (protection of human rights, complete equality).
According to the published data, the protection of the rights of transgender and intersex people is at the forefront of the struggle for a positive change for LGBTI people in Europe. According to measurements, bans on genital mutilation of intersex people over the past 12 months have also contributed to the increase in countries’ ratings.
Malta continues to occupy the number one spot on the Rainbow Europe Map with a score of 89%; meanwhile, Armenia is at the other end of the Rainbow Europe scale with a score of 8%. It should be noted that Armenia raised its position by one point after revoking the blood donation ban for gay men.
Pink’s Chairperson Gave a Speech at Armenian Forum for Democracy
On May 31, the chairperson of Pink human rights defender NGO, Karine Aghajanyan, participated in the Armenian Forum for Democracy entitled “Protection of Democracy and Human Rights in the Conditions of National Security Challenges.” The purpose of the Armenian Forum for Democracy is to discuss the process and challenges of democratic reforms.
At the panel discussion entitled “Safeguarding Rights Amid National Security Challenges,” Pink’s chairperson reflected on the legislative gaps that hinder the complete protection of the human rights of LGBT people in Armenia and the discriminatory approach by law enforcement bodies. She particularly emphasized the fact that sexual orientation and gender identity are not mentioned as protected characteristics in RA legislation, which makes the investigation of hate crimes and the recording and prevention processes of cases of discrimination more complex.
The forum was held in Armenia for the second time. The participants included The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the President of the Republic of Armenia, deputies of the National Assembly, as well as ambassadors, ministers, other political and state figures, representatives of international bodies and members of civil society․
