This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
We, the undersigned, declare the following:
The Armenian Government is drafting a law proposal, the “Law
on Ensuring Equality”, which presents a significant opportunity
to enshrine explicit protections based on sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, and sex characteristics into law. The recent
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance report on Armenia
notes that intolerance towards LGBTI people remains predominant
in Armenia. Recognising the law's pivotal role in defining the protection
grounds and framework in Armenia, the lack of explicit protection
for LGBTI people in the initial draft by the Ministry of Justice
would be a serious missed opportunity.
We appeal to the Armenian Government and Parliament to ensure
the protection of the rights of LGBTI people in the final law. Emphasising
the importance of upholding equality, human dignity, and non-discrimination,
we propose the following recommendations:
explicit inclusion of sexual orientation, gender identity
and/or expression and sex characteristics, as protection grounds
in Article 4 of the law;
inclusion of a provision in Article 8, allowing human
rights organisations to bring claims related to the protection of
public interest;
establish an independent equality body, empowered by the
Parliament, to oversee and address discrimination cases.
