By the Human Rights Defender’s instruction, the staff is
conducting an independent monitoring ahead of the local government elections to
be held in Gyumri and Parakar communities on March 30, 2025, based on the
principles of impartiality and political neutrality.
As a result of monitoring social media and mass media,
cases of discrimination, intolerance, and hate speech spreading in public
discourse have been recorded. Moreover, situations have been recorded, when
they are used to actually attempt to force voters to vote for or against one of
the candidates, which is unacceptable.
Research of the Defender’s Office indicates that the
level of public polarization on various grounds within the framework of the
pre-election period is significantly high.
The Defender emphasizes the importance of ensuring free
public debate within the framework of the pre-election processes within the
permissible limits of the right to freedom of expression, in an atmosphere of
mutual respect and solidarity, emphasizing the need for state to implement appropriate
mechanisms to overcome public intolerance, exclude hate speech and
discrimination.
At the same time, the Human Rights Defender urges
political forces and public figures not only to refrain from hate speech,
insults, intolerance, and discrimination in public discourse, but also to
counteract them. Moreover, according to international standards, this
responsibility lies not only with current officials, but also by every public
and political figure.
Complaints regarding the exercise of electoral rights or
electoral violations can be submitted to the Human Rights Defender’s Office
through the 24/7 toll-free hotline at 116 or (096) 116 100.
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