The Human Rights Defender, based on a public
application of the Union of Cinematographers of Armenia non-governmental
organization (NGO), initiated a study on the demolition of the main entrance
ramp of the Cinema House.
The public complaint to the Defender stated
that "the ramp, which is more than 7.5 meters long and 1.2 meters wide,
built for people with disabilities and for persons with mobility difficulties
in the society, in accordance with all urban planning norms, has been
completely removed, and an additional entrance to the cafe has been
opened" and stairs leading to the cafe were built in place of the ramp.”
According to the Union of Cinematographers of
Armenia NGO, the largest cinema hall in Armenia, the 515-seat large hall of the
Cinema House, has not only deprived persons with disabilities and other persons
with mobility difficulties in the society of an accessible entrance and exit
from the hall, but also hindered the implementation of the projects envisaged
by the NGO to create a green and cultural environment in the square near the
entrance to the Cinema House.
For a comprehensive and inclusive study of the
issue, the representatives of the Office of the Defender were acquainted with
the problem on site, based on the alarming-call. The issues recorded during the
visit were discussed with the representatives of the Union of Cinematographers
of Armenia NGO.
It became apparent that the Union of
Cinematographers of Armenia NGO applied to various state bodies, including the
Yerevan Municipality and the Police of Armenia. Moreover, the organization has
sent a request to the Real Estate Cadaster Committee of Armenia regarding the
property right of the area around the building, but it is not clear from the
latter's answers whether the area adjacent to the Cinema House is a community
or a private property. For this reason, it is unclear to the organization which
state body is competent to discuss and resolve the issue raised by it.
Based on the results of the current study, the
Human Rights Defender records that the two ramps built in place of the
demolished ramp (in front of the building and on the main entrance stairs) are
not accessible, convenient, or safe for people with disabilities.
From the point of view of resolving the issue,
the Human Rights Defender considers that any solution providing the main
entrance to the Cinema House should be such as to guarantee the right of
persons with disabilities to move independently in an accessible, convenient,
safe manner without the need for additional support or discrimination.
Letters requesting additional information and
clarifications on the issue will be addressed to the competent state bodies.
It should be reminded that a Unit for the
protection of the rights of persons with disabilities functions within the Office
Human Rights Defender, which ensures, under the Constitutional Law of the
Republic of Armenia on the Human Rights Defender, the monitoring of the
implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities, protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, as
well as the prevention of violations of their rights by the state, local self-governing
bodies or officials.
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