As a
result of monitoring social media and mass media publications by the Human
Rights Defender, as well as complaints received from citizens, it became known
that a former judiciary official made a number of remarks during a public
speech that are inherently discriminatory and target persons with disabilities.
Moreover, the video was published by mass media outlets under the title: “It is
a disgrace that a deaf and blind person can become a judge”.
The
Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan, has
repeatedly stressed the inadmissibility of any manifestation of discrimination
based on disability and considers the case to be strongly reprehensible.
In
our society, there are many deep-rooted stereotypes regarding disabilities, and
such behavior leads to the deepening of existing stereotypes.
It is
even more concerning that representatives of professional circles are spreading
discriminatory viewpoints that contradict international standards in the field
of equality anti-discrimination, and hate speech. These viewpoints are also
being spread by mass media outlets.
The
Human Rights Defender emphasizes that today’s world has developed in such a way
that the principle of inclusiveness has become the foundation of social
relations and persons with disabilities should be, and are, included in various
spheres of work, including the judicial system.
Taking
into account the deep-rooted stereotypes existing in our society regarding
disabilities as well as the various manifestations of discrimination on the
basis of disability—including hate speech based on disability status—the Human
Rights Defender emphasizes the need for urgent reforms in the relevant field.
These reforms should include, among other things, the comprehensive reform of human
rights education, the adoption and proper implementation of inclusive equality
legislation, the effective and proper operation of mechanisms ensuring the
observance of rules of conduct and ethics by representatives of state bodies as
well as professional and academic communities, the implementation of
large-scale public awareness and training initiatives, and the proper
application of criminal legislation related to the field. The Human Rights
Defender underscores that in all of these areas, there are pressing problems
that require immediate resolutions.
The
Human Rights Defender once again emphasizes the inadmissibility of spreading
discriminatory and hate speech and urges all stakeholders to take sufficient
steps to overcome the problems.
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