Within the framework of the extraordinary
parliamentary elections, the Human Rights Defender recorded problematic
situations related to the participation of children in political rallies, as
well as situations that violated their best interests.
1. The participation of children in rallies
during the election campaign, where hate speech and insults, words associated
with violence, is deeply worrying. There are also cases of swearing in public
in the presence of children
For example, the acting Prime Minister of the
Republic of Armenia, during the campaign in Agarak community of Syunik region
of the Republic of Armenia with the participation of children, expressed
phrases such as: “... after June 20, we will definitely go after them and all
that criminal scum will be laid on the asphalt” or “If some rural scum
officials understand only the language of force, then the Republic of Armenia
will speak to them in the language of force. And I promise you, all that scum
will be laid on the asphalt of Agarak”.
In this context, it is especially unacceptable
to make such calls to the pre-election campaign with the participation of
children, thus creating an atmosphere of hatred for them. Children are also
more vulnerable to these issue because they can quickly transform these words
into hatred.
The parents, guardians and other
responsible/competent persons of the children should consider the expediency of
involving the children in such rallies of a political nature, taking into
consideration these facts.
2. The monitoring of the Office of the Human
Rights Defender recorded publications on the involvement of teachers and
students in groups in different regions organized by the acting Prime Minister
of the Republic of Armenia with the use of administrative levers in pre-election
rallies.
Some quotes from school principals and
teachers in videos disseminated by various public sources prove the involvement
of school principals, teachers and children in groups organized in political
rallies, including cases of involvement during class hours.
For example, in one of the videos spread in
the media, the teacher participating in the campaign carried out by the acting
Prime Minister, in response to the journalist's question whether he had been
informed about the meeting in advance, he said, “Of course. I came just not to
look bad in front of the administration. What else could I do? I have come, but
I do not participate, I do not participate spiritually.”.
In response to a journalist’s question about
the participation of teachers and students in the same pre-election rally in
Pokr Vedi, the school principal said, “The whole team applied to make a few
reductions in classes, we did all the lessons, we participated …”
The school principal, teachers and groups of
students took part in the pre-election rally held by the acting Prime Minister
in the village of Arshat, Ararat region, and the school principal said, “The
children wanted, we decided to let them participate, it is okay, we will go to
class right after the rally”. One of the teachers mentioned that “they are not
children; they are mainly teachers”.
Classes are divided, some are at home today,
they are not in class, they are the majority. Those who have a lesson, will go
to the class.”
Therefore, the teacher confirmed that some of
the students are participating in the campaign during the lessons. This
situation is especially problematic in terms of ensuring the right of students
to education.
We must realize that the involvement of
children in rallies during school hours is not an exercise of the right of
children to participate in peaceful assembly.
The point is that in the given academic year,
the educational process for students in grades 3-11 will end on June 18 in case
of a 5-day working week, and on June 19 in case of a 6-day working week.
It is especially problematic when children are
involved in such gatherings without their parents' awareness and consent. In
any case, evidence proving the opposite was not recorded by the monitoring.
School principals and teaching staff, as well
as representatives of the competent authorities, should be guided in their
actions only by the best interests of the child, the safety of the child, the
supervision of parents, guardians, competent representatives of the educational
institution, and the principle of guaranteeing children's right to education.
3. The publication of the “Fact Investigation
Platform” about the fact that they have received information that to a number
of principals of the kindergartens of the community were ordered to ensure
participation for the June 8 pre-election rally of the “Armenia” alliance. In
the published phone conversation, one of the principles of Goris reveals that
there was an order to participate in the rally.
(https://fip.am/16081)
The monitoring of the Defender has recorded a
case where the Facebook page of one of the kindergarten of Armavir had
published information about the location and time of the campaign of the ruling
party.
The local self-governing bodies, as well as
the institutions functioning under their auspices, including the kindergartens
should refrain from publishing such topics aimed at influencing public support
for any political party.
4. The monitoring of the Defender has recorded
cases where children are wearing clothing with campaign slogans, they are
marching with banners, and putting up or tearing political posters, are
distributing leaflets of different political parties, and are made to clap and
shout slogans during campaign rallies.
For example, during the campaign rallies of
the ruling political party in Ararat, Byureghavan, Massis, and Vorotan,
children were urged to shout slogans in support of the political part by the
acting Prime Minister and other persons. There has also been a case of
involving children in the process of distributing leaflets.
5. A deeply worrying case where children
burned a “Bright Armenia” hat with campaign slogans, filmed and disseminated it
on the internet has been recorded. This further worsens the already widespread
atmosphere of hate during the pre-election campaigns, including within
children, which does not reflect the best interest of children.
Moreover, at the beginning of the video, one
of the children asks to which political party does the hat they are burning
belong to, which evidences that many children do not understand the nature and
aim of their actions. On the contrary, they are wear a T-shirts identifying
with a particular political force and make calls in its support.
6. In
connection with political advertising campaigns, it has been recorded when
children were photographed with party campaign leaflets and posters and the
photos were shared on the party's Facebook pages. For example, a photo of a
child holding a party leaflet was posted on the Facebook page for the
Prosperous Armenia party’s Aparan regional branch.
According to international requirements, in
case of children’s participation in political gatherings, it is necessary to
ensure their informed, conscious and voluntary participation. It is important
that parents and guardians are informed, have given consent, and maintain
supervision over the process.
Children should be protected from situations
where they are “used” by politicians as a “decoration” to conduct their campaign
in political party activities, especially during election campaigns. Children
should not be involved in events organized by political parties during the
pre-election period as a “background” (sitting, standing or otherwise).
It is vicious phenomenon when children are
used to greet politicians or other officials with salt and bread. It is not
clear what the purpose of these displays are. And why are children involved
when adults can perform the same task? It is obvious that there is also the factor
of using children for different political or other purposes.
The Defender records that there is no ban on
the participation of children in peaceful gatherings, including political ones.
It is important to ensure that the child has the right to freedom of expression
and expression in peaceful assembly or other large gatherings.
However, when considering the participation of
children in rallies, it is necessary to be guided by the imperative to
prioritize the best interests of the children, taking into account the
specifics of each given situation.
The best interests of the child should always
be considered, for not following them is a violation of the child’s rights.
Analysis here:
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