Trans person subjected to sexual assault in Yerevan
22-07-2022
Every year many human rights violation cases of trans people are recorded in Armenia. 2022 is also no exception. There have already been recorded many cases of harassment and offenses against transgender people this year. Cases of violence against trans people come in various forms: domestic violence (physical, psychological, economic, etc.), social violence, and specific violence against trans sex workers by a certain individual. Cases of the last-mentioned nature are increasing dramatically. Of course, these cases are not adequately investigated and punished by law enforcement agencies, which is why the number of such cases is increasing.
One of the recently recorded cases of violence is the sexual violence case against a trans person committed by two citizens of the Republic of Armenia. The incident occurred in Yerevan’s English Park on July 13, 2022. On that day, at night, around 6 a.m., the two men, as mentioned above, approached the trans woman, offering her to have sex with them. When the woman refused, one of them tried to stab the trans person with a knife, but the blow did not hit her, after which, threatening with a knife and against the will of the victim, together with the other citizen, they sexually assaulted the trans woman.
The injured party notified the police of the incident on the same day and filed a report. M.H. and L.T. were found, detained, and taken to the Central Police Department by the police patrol service on suspicion of possessing a cold weapon and committing sexual assault.
On the day of the incident, the victim also contacted Pink human rights defender NGO, talking to a lawyer on the hotline. She presented the case details, after which Pink’s lawyer gave her legal advice.
Lawyers and advocates of the Pink human rights defender NGO will protect the interests of the victim in this criminal case as her representatives and will be consistent in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Crimes against trans people are often inadequately investigated by the law enforcement agencies, as a result of which the perpetrators are not punished, and criminal cases are usually dropped.
However, the application filed in this case is still pending. Crimes committed against trans people must be adequately investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable and punished accordingly for their crimes.
