After the firebombing of DIY bar in Yerevan, swastikas were painted on its walls/photo courtesy of Z.G
Prominent officials in Armenia have made public statements in support of arsonists who firebombed a popular bar in Yerevan in a hate crime against the country’s gay community, a move that activists and human rights group Amnesty International have strongly condemned.
Following the early morning blast at DIY bar which left thousands of dollars in damage, Armenian Revolution Federation-Dashnaktsutuyn member of parliament Artsik Minasyan bailed out the suspects and defended their actions, calling them normal and in accordance with Armenian societal values, while singling out bar owner Tsomak Oganesova whose participation in Istanbul’s Gay Pride Parade last year motivated the attackers.
“I consider [Oganesova's] types – I don’t want to sound offensive – destructive to Armenian society,” Minasyan told local media.
Oganesova, who is also a member of Armenian punk rock band Tsomak and Pincet project, fired back on a program on Horizon television, saying that she had seen comments on the social networking website Facebook praising that the bombing of non-traditional bar DIY was on the same day as the liberation of Shushi. The city was significant in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict whose capture by ARF batalions on May 8, 1992, marked a victory for Armenia in the war with Azerbaijan.
“I don’t want to point to Dashnaktutuyn, but it looks like this is going this way,” she said. Oganesova then said that the ideologies of fascism and Dashnaktstutuyn aren’t too far from each other.
After the bailout and public support by Minasyan, the bar was vandalized again. This time, anti-fascist posters supporters had made were ripped down, while swastikas were painted over the facade of the bar.
Minasyan followed up with an interview on Armenia’s Shant TV in which he described Oganesova and supporters as trying to benefit from the explosion by inviting attention upon themselves, saying that their public out cry is “damaging to society’s morals.”
Since Minasyan’s comments several other high profile officials have come out in agreement. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov told Armenian media he supported the actions of the arsonists against homosexuals, “who have created a den of perversion in our country and have a goal of alienating the society from its moral values,” he said. Hovhannes Sahakyan, a member of the ruling Republican Party, in an interview with Aravot, called the suspects patriots.
“As a citizen I welcome these young people, as well as any legal means and methods of struggle against all harmful phenomena,” he said.”For me it’s more important, that those youth recognize what being Armenian means, they feel their Armenian roots,” he continued.
Online, Hakob Barkhudaryan, the chief of staff of Public Council of Republic of Armenia created a Facebook page praising the arsonists, reports Unzipped.
The bombing, its subsequent government affiliated support and the rise of ultra nationalist groups in the country has brought deeper issues in Armenia, a country with who does not meet the basic requirements of human rights standards in accordance with LGBT in a recently released report by the International Lesbian and Gay Association – Europe, up to the surface.
“In general, this attack is not an isolated incident, but rather, represents a deeper trend of intolerance, prejudice and bigotry,”Analyst Richard Giragosian, director of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center said in an email interview with ianyanmag. “Yes, of course, Armenia, as with many other countries, has a problem with “differences” within society, whether it is the gay community, religious sects, etc. There is no “explanation,” but this is a broader problem that needs to be recognized, challenged and overcome.”
Giragosian says the issue is a road block to democratization and development to the isolated and landlocked South Caucasus country, which has closed borders with both Turkey and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh war and has 30 percent of its population below the poverty line.
” Armenia, most of all, can not afford such divisive and destructive trends,” he said, adding that the idealogy behind the attack hidden behind ‘national values’ is not different from that of the Young Turks, who drove and inspired the 1915 Armenian Genocide, in which over a million perished. “This is the same hatred that drives genocide, something that should be especially grave, inexcusable and unacceptable for each and every Armenian.”
The attack has turned into a matter of national and international debate as several organizations, most notably sections of the ARF have condemned the attacks.
ARF’s Shant Student Association was the first to release a statement after activists called on the political party to publicly come out against the attacks.
“The egregious act and subsequent statements run counter to the fundamental tenets and ideology of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation,”the statement said. “The ARF advocates individual freedoms and rejects all forms of and expressions of domination and exploitation including fascism, racism, and chauvinistic manifestations of national supremacy…We stand in full support of an Armenia that is free of all forms of discrimination, intolerance, and violence. Those responsible for the crime must be brought to justice to the full extent of the law.”
The ARF Central Committee followed, commenting that they find “the incident’s root impetus of homophobia and intolerance as equally reprehensible” while calling the blaming of the ARF party as a whole “equally deplorable.”
The political party, which has a large diasporan membership, currently holds six out of 131 parliamentary seats after last month’s elections.
Amnesty International called the supporting discourse dangerous while adding that it fueled discrimination.
“The official response to the firebombing in Yerevan is utterly shocking – protecting the human rights of LGBTI people is not a concession, but an obligation under international law that Armenia is a party to,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Europe and Central Asia
The Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York released their own statement, offering support to Armenia’s LGBT community, while calling on the Armenian Parliament and ARF to reprimand Minasyan by asking him to remove or resign from office immediately for “inflaming conflict and endangering lives.”
A petition on the site has been created on change.org created calling on Socialist International, London to suspend ARF membership based on the comments by Minasyan.
Homophobia in the South Caucasus as a whole is prevalent. Armenia and neigborhing Azerbaijan have been ranked as some of the worst places in the world to be gay, according to the ILGA-Europe index. Meanwhile in Georgia, LGBT activists were attacked by Orthodox Christians as they tried to march in downtown Tbilisi to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. In Yerevan, the day was marked more calmly, Global Chaos reports.
the idea of “Armenian nazis” is utterly ridiculous..
…and proven to be true, by the facts!
Why would it be ridiculous? Greece has them too (Golden Dawn).
You’re definitely right. he court has not sentenced that the so called “blasters” are nazis. The signs on the walls were painted by 14-15 year old boys, whom I think hired the bar owner to keep this issue hot. Moreover, as far as I read about the history of sub-cultures, nazis are not in good relations with anarchists, but as you see, all the fresh signs are made with the same paint. I presume the bar owner plays dirty.
Armen, there is no evidence for any of the outrageous claims you’ve made here.
I’m a non-Armenian (non-Turkish, non-Azeri) Gay American. I think the ARF should be investigated by the US government to see if they should be added to the terrorist organizations list like Hamas. If they are, then anyone raising funds for them in the USA can/will be arrested and all of their assets seized.
Gays matter in American political society. ARF and the elected officials endorsing terrorist acts are doing extreme damage to American-Armenian relations. The Gay vote is much more important than the Armenian vote in the Democratic party – even in North LA). I don’t think the GOP is going to be supportive of a Russian aligned Armenia either. Tread carefully.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan has been moving towards more equality recently. And Azerbaijan is more of an American ally.
I can go to Gay bars in several Turkish cities. Gays in Turkey have pride parades. Gays in Turkey are not free from discrimination, but officially sanctioned violence against them is very rare. Why should the USA damage US-Turkish relations further by supporting a violent regime in Armenia that seeks to condone terrorism against peaceful minorities?
If you care about US-Armenian relations, I’d start walking this back – fast.
Tom, I think you make some excellent points (can’t say the same for “ed”). But I think the most immediate danger to Armenia from attacks like these and the support they’ve received from some Armenian MPs is from within its own country, ie the further disenchantment of the country’s people. Armenia figures very slightly in American politics and foreign policy and issues like this just reflects poorly on the country, but I don’t think they will have any effects in America.
ZG, Thanks for you comments. But please understand that the next time Congress is asked to give up something (good relations with a critical US partner = Turkey) for a nation on the periphery of US foreign policy, that the Gay community can and will ask for an accounting of Armenia’s response to this terroristic attack. We expect serious investigations, serious prosecutions, and long jail sentences. Look at the voting for the ‘Armenian Genocide’ bill last time. See how many Democratic Congresspersons voted for this bill. Many of the Congresspersons have very few Armenians but LOTS of Gay constituents.
Armenia is not a good actor, per the USA, in its’ foreign policy. You are aligned with Russia, an odious homophobic and racist nation that aligned with just about every bad actor in the World.
I understand that many in Armenia don’t understand the political dynamic in the USA (or Western Europe/Canada/the UK). Gays don’t rule here, but we matter politically. And our foreign policy is starting to reflect that.
Just so you know, we WILL be watching and we WILL hold Armenia to account when they ask the USA to support them.
By the way, expect lawsuits against Armenia in the European Court of Human Rights (Armenia may be expelled over this).
Not all Armenians are like the ARF MP’s or Ed. But too many are. And the government isn’t doing anything to distance themselves from ARF and its odious MPS. The time for Armenians who oppose terroism to speak up and to act is now.
I hope that sometime in the future, I can celebrate a prosperous, civilized Armenia. But in the meantime, we will demand accountability from Armenia when they ask our government for favors.
Peace.
Nobody in Amerika ever herd of Sungajit, when Azeris were killing peacful people in their homes just because people were asking for human rights and right for freedom,to excercise their religion their etnicity. There were killed with swards, kids were thrown out from windows etc. That was silence here you heard only about agressive Armenian attacking Azerbadjyan. Wrong! Now when there is a small incident of 18 y/o kids (nobody died or anything) just because they were afraid of certain European culture entering their society it became political issue suddenly. I agree minorities have rights, but if tomorrow Congress of France accepts pedofiles as minorities and proves their marriage with own kids and it is soooo much ok with them so that it has to be spread to other countries and societies too? WHY? No gay was abused or killed or anything in Armenia. I know many that even have their place to meet and people want to avoid that topic because it doesn’t need to be something to be proud of to make paraides. Sorry,.,freedom of opinions! Same were people expressing that in Government as people, others might have different ideas in the same government, it doesn’t mean anybody have right to pull one way or another make huge political issue over it.
Naira,
Lets review your comments
1) What does pedophilia or child marriage have to do with this discussion. Neither have anything to do with Gay rights.
2) The LGBT community in Armenia would strongly disagree with your assertion that there is no persecution of Gays in Armenia. Why not talk to them and see what they’re issue is with Armenian society.
3) We expect Armenia to live up to all of its obligations, including the right of its’ LGBT population to be able to enjoy the right to freedom of speech, petition, association, protest (Yes, even in public), and due process without being violently attacked.
“good relations with a U.S. ally “? Again , this says SO much about the skewed priorities of fossil fuel dependancy. A few Texas oil men have got the world convinced they need to have tyrannical control over oil rich nations and maintain Air bases in Turkey with which to do bombing runs over Iraq and Iran and everybody unquestioningly salutes this twisted blatantly violent theft and the resulting alliances with nations who condone through denial the slaughter of millions of innocent Armenian civilians. Ya , if this is the “just world” you want where an insignificant act of vandalism tips the scales of preferential treatment in support of denialist regimes and away from a truly struggling underdog and past victim…well…this is just sick…ya , torching the bar was bad but objectively speaking , isn’t there more burning issues we need to address before suggesting sweeping political reactions just to secure the gay vote…what a world
Fred,
The American-Turkish relationship is more than oil. And its really problematic.
Armenia’s abuse of its’ LGBT population is not insignificant. What happened was a terrorist act. And government officials are cheerleading this violence. 2 out of 6 ARF MP’s are supporting the terrorists.
Forgive me for being a bit presumptive, but I have little faith that this crime will be prosecuted properly.
We expect that Armenia lives up to a basic standard of human rights for its’ LGBT population, including the rights to protest, petition, assembly, association, speech, press, and due process.
I’ll place a higher priority on actions by governments today ahead of events that happened 100 years ago. I’m not alone.
Besides, its not like Armenia is a buddy of the US in its’ foreign relations.
And people are just going to have to understand that after decades of not asserting our political power, the Gay community has begun demanding that our governments stop ignoring our concerns. And they’ve started to listen.
Armenia/ARF can make this go away anytime it wants to. Get rid of the two MP’s, prosecute and jail those responsible for the terrorist attack, and protect the basic rights of its’ LGBT community. Its not going to turn Yerevan into San Francisco or Berlin, trust me.
Yes, the homophobic racist nation the State Dept despises is only so because it opposes US military misadventures in the Middle East(that’s a euphemism for bloody, gruesome, paternalistic tragedies) and economic imperialism in its periphery. Conveniently leaving out NATO’s expansion to Russian border too, are we?
Here’s the reader’s digest version: A couple of Armenians bomb a gay bar and now the state dept will cut aid to Armenia for its ties with one of only two countries that can supply it with energy? Would be interesting to see.
And your Hamas example is laughable, considering they were very recently pals of the Mossad.
Ed, I’ll be commenting at the US State Department and in Congress. If this continues, we will treat ARF like Hamas and start arresting people funnelling them money.
Armenia is aligned with anti-Gay Russia but lives of diaspora funding from the US/Canada.
And Armenia asks us to support them in their disputes with Turkey. Why should we? Especially if Armenia is committing gross human rights abuses? Perhaps we should stay silent on the Armenia vs Turkey issue. And support Azerbaijan (a US ally moving towards a civilized approach to gay human rights) as well.
Meanwhile, portions of the Armenian government support violence against peaceful minorities.
You don’t have a right to funding from the USA. You don’t have the right to US support in your disputes with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Armenia has to EARN our support. And the “faggot” (in your words) doesn’t see any reason to support Armenia in any way possible.
What is terrorism? I’m certain the bombing of a business in order to intimidate a minority qualifies under any definition.
In the U.S. thousands of gay bars have been torched and bombed with indifferent reaction from authorities. Does that mean the U.S. should be considered aligned with Hamas and have embargoes and sanctions imposed upon them ?
O.K., I don’y agree with persecuting anyone for what they are but LET’S KEEP THIS IN PERSPECTIVE…Two teenagers cause moderate to minor damage in a wreckless acting out of some issues they have. It was wrong but to go global with it politicizing this relatively miniature event ( in world news ) to the degree where it is being suggested that Armenia’s neighbors , guilty in relatively recent times of slaughtering millions of innocent families , should be given preferential funding says something about how absurd the degree this issue is hyped really is. Our species is on the verge of extinction but we wanna get distracted over “recreational issues”…We wanna fund those who condone genocide and starve out a tiny country comprised of three million mostly struggling just beyond starvation people who probably could less about what goes on in some Yerevan bar. What has happened to common sense ? What has happened with our priorities? It’s a nutso world we’ve carved out for ourselves now isn’t it ?
Thousands of Gay bars in the US torched and bombed? When? Where? There was a horrific hate crime committed in New Orleans in 1973. There was a shooting at a Gay Bar a few years back in Virginia (the killer got life). There was a shooting of a straight preacher at a church that includes Gay persons in Tennessee a few years back (the shooter is spending life in prison).
How many gay bars in the USA? How many incidents in the USA?
How many gay bars in Armenia? How many incidents?
ANTI-GAY RUSSIA FOREVER!!!
Tom in Lazybrook, your country is on the edge. It is not as powerful, as you might think. It is light minded of you to think you can enforce to do something. Ed is right – firstly notice your in-door garbage!
Then you shouldn’t mind if the USA concentrated on keeping its relations with a critical partner (Turkey) in good standing.
And you shouldn’t mind if the US placed restictions on Armenians in the USA donating to ARF affiliated organizations.
Especially if the USA is all washed up. Right?
Well put, Argam! Very thoughtful and eloquent…
I understand your need to be vigilant and support your fight against hate filled individuals but I feel you’re blowing this out of proportion. This is simply a case of a few loud and bad seeds that have gotten themselves into government making the rest of us look bad.
“ARF Central Committee Condemns Hate Crime in Armenia”
http://asbarez.com/103066/arf-central-committee-condemns-hate-crime-in-armenia/
Arman,
Our fear, unfortunately considered justified by those watching the LGBT situation in Armenia, is that the terrorists will be let off with a ‘slap on the wrist’. MP’s cheerleading terrorism? Really?
I expect more than a statement. I expect ARF to rearrange its’ Parliamentary lists so that 2 certain individuals are not returned to Parliament.
Was that ARF statement carried in the major press of ARMENIA?
I agree with you, I hope the criminals receive heavy prison terms and the ARF does more than just release that statement. I don’t know how the press in Armenia is handling the situation. I’m sorry you have to deal with some of the more idiotic commenters on here.
See what happens in “democratic” US, supporting sodomites:
http://publicintelligence.net/chicago-nato-summit-protest-photos-day-1/
1. You’re a disgrace with the language you’re using.
2.Minding his borders is exactly what he’s doing since he’s talking about U.S-Armenian relations.
Garo, the likes of you are really a disgrace for the Armenian nation. We, Armenians, want our country to be free, democratic and decent. It is possible only, inter alia, if civil rights are freedoms are ensured and respected, if tolerance is a way of life and not merely lip service, if criminals are prosecuted and if hate speech is not a part of a public discourse…
Garo, you are such a good representative of the Christians in Armenia. You are obviously walking in the path of Jesus.
No I am not, but you are walking well into the path of Satan.
Pingback: News and Views (May 21, 2012)
Pingback: ARMENIA: Il fascismo alle porte?
Pingback: Post-Panel Thoughts on a New Armenian Diaspora, Post-1991 | Musings of a Human Journalist