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OF HATE CRIMES AND INTOLERANCE: LESSONS MUST BE LEARNED
by Ara Khachatourian
asbarez
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
The interior of the DIY bar was damaged after the attack
Two days after the parliamentary elections in Armenia, a homemade
car bomb was used to vandalize DIY, a bar in Yerevan frequented
by non-traditionalist thinkers in Armenia and a safe-haven for the
often-persecuted LGBT community in Armenia.
This act is a hate crime. There are no other words to describe it.
Police arrested two culprits and controversy erupted when two people,
who are members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation parliamentary
bloc opted to bail out the suspects Hampig and Mgrdich (also referred
to as Arame) Khapazian, who allegedly targeted the bar owner for
her activism in the LGBT community, and participation in a Gay Pride
Parade in Turkey.
These individuals' mere affiliation with the ARF sparked a campaign
in the Armenian press and on social media accusing the party of being
behind the attacks and condoning the acts. The situation became more
inflamed after of one of those posting bail made comments to the press
in defense of the suspects, as well as his personal contention that
pre-trial arrests-in general-are unjustified.
This, like any other hate crime is deplorable and must be condemned
by all forces in and outside of Armenia.
For 121 years, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has been on
the forefront of advocating and working for justice, human rights
and against intolerance and persecution. The party's ideology and
advocacy HAVE NOT changed.
It is truly unfortunate that the ARF members did not use their
leadership perch to advance dialogue and discussion of tolerance
and acceptance in our country. However, for people to use their
statements to accuse an entire party that operates internationally
of masterminding this attack is equally counterproductive.
In the US we have witnessed, as recently as last week, how still
divisive the issue of LGBT rights can be and how, as a so-called
advanced society, some elements are unable to fully comprehend the
fundamentals of freedom and equality.
The fact of the matter is that this horrible incident has brought to
fore the dire imperative for constructive discussion, discourse and
dialogue about tolerance. If we are to advance as a nation we all have
to work toward and practice what the ARF preamble says, which is that
no individual or state has the right to oppress or persecute any other.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
by Ara Khachatourian
asbarez
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
The interior of the DIY bar was damaged after the attack
Two days after the parliamentary elections in Armenia, a homemade
car bomb was used to vandalize DIY, a bar in Yerevan frequented
by non-traditionalist thinkers in Armenia and a safe-haven for the
often-persecuted LGBT community in Armenia.
This act is a hate crime. There are no other words to describe it.
Police arrested two culprits and controversy erupted when two people,
who are members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation parliamentary
bloc opted to bail out the suspects Hampig and Mgrdich (also referred
to as Arame) Khapazian, who allegedly targeted the bar owner for
her activism in the LGBT community, and participation in a Gay Pride
Parade in Turkey.
These individuals' mere affiliation with the ARF sparked a campaign
in the Armenian press and on social media accusing the party of being
behind the attacks and condoning the acts. The situation became more
inflamed after of one of those posting bail made comments to the press
in defense of the suspects, as well as his personal contention that
pre-trial arrests-in general-are unjustified.
This, like any other hate crime is deplorable and must be condemned
by all forces in and outside of Armenia.
For 121 years, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has been on
the forefront of advocating and working for justice, human rights
and against intolerance and persecution. The party's ideology and
advocacy HAVE NOT changed.
It is truly unfortunate that the ARF members did not use their
leadership perch to advance dialogue and discussion of tolerance
and acceptance in our country. However, for people to use their
statements to accuse an entire party that operates internationally
of masterminding this attack is equally counterproductive.
In the US we have witnessed, as recently as last week, how still
divisive the issue of LGBT rights can be and how, as a so-called
advanced society, some elements are unable to fully comprehend the
fundamentals of freedom and equality.
The fact of the matter is that this horrible incident has brought to
fore the dire imperative for constructive discussion, discourse and
dialogue about tolerance. If we are to advance as a nation we all have
to work toward and practice what the ARF preamble says, which is that
no individual or state has the right to oppress or persecute any other.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress