Appeal to Political Forces

APPEAL

TO POLITICAL FORCES PARTICIPATING

IN THE 2018 SNAP ELECTIONS TO THE RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

We,

Non-governmental organizations and Mass media organizations concerned about a fair and peaceful process of the 2018 snap elections to the RA National Assembly, are appealing to all participants in the elections, and, first of all, to the political forces to rule out hate speech during their pre-election campaigns.

Emphasizing that

– Any speech denying fundamental human rights and downgrading the role and standing of individuals and social groups in society is a grave challenge to establishment of democracy;

– Political practices based on intolerance and discrimination are criticized by human rights activists;

Mindful that

– The process of recent elections held in the Republic (2017-2018), has transferred political debates to the plane of personal insults and threats, got multiplied in media and social networking platforms which, in its turn, has become a major obstacle for presentation of the political party elections programs and the natural process of electoral campaigns.

Welcoming

The recent initiatives of political forces to apply the culture of television debates in Armenia;

We propose

That, for the sake of formation of a new political culture, all political forces running in the elections make a major step forward to reach an agreement and sign a joint memorandum on ruling out hate speech at all platforms of the electoral campaign.

The signing of a joint memorandum will

– Ensure a political content of the electoral campaign’s debates and give positive impetus to mass media outlets and the entire electorate, including the users of social networks;

– Guarantee a natural process of the elections and provide an opportunity to avoid fake agendas during the electoral campaign denying fundamental human rights to dignity and equality.

– Provide an opportunity to put an end to any manifestation of intolerance and discrimination towards any candidates and ensure equal conditions and opportunities for them during the electoral race;

– Set the foundation for realization of the ideas of justice and national unity which are imperative for the country’s further development.

RULE OUT HATE SPEECH!

The appeal open for joining. 

The initiative is implemented within the framework of “Electoral Preparation and Monitoring by Civil Society Organisations in Armenia: Elections for All”. Project is implemented by OxYGen Foundation and Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Vanadzor in cooperation with the Coalition for Inclusive Legal Reforms, “Investigative journalists” NGO, “Region” research center and Yerevan School of Political Studies. The Project is funded by the European Union.