From gallantry to misogyny is a step…

The disgusting post made about Tatik Revazyan and her newborn daughter on social media is the conclusion of hate speech, after which it is another abyss. Aren’t there other red lines, saint values, mothers, newborns? Are the claims about a nation that respects mothers and worships children false, and that seemingly inviolable values have disappeared under the destructive influence of the virus of hatred, when it suddenly became clear that from gallantry to misogyny is just one step?

Most recently, the issue of hate speech was hotly debated in the National Assembly during the presentation of Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan’s 2019 report. Some episodes of that discussion are more relevant today… So let’s remind…

Presenting the report, Arman Tatoyan stated that one of the worrying issues of 2019 is the development of insulting, hateful and degrading speech, and that this vicious act has reached unacceptable proportions on social networks.

“In particular, there is a lot of aggression, which is spread through fake users and groups. It is necessary to exclude, completely eradicate the humiliation of dignity, any kind of hate speech. One should not use words that degrade or demean human dignity. It leads to dangerous consequences, it doubles the insult and hatred, it provokes violence. This situation not only keeps the atmosphere in the country tense, but also dangerous, as it can lead to real life, even leading to violence, ”said Tatoyan.

The reactions of the deputies were not late. Naira Zohrabyan, Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, noted that she receives messages almost every day in which she is threatened and insulted.

“In recent years, many of my colleagues and I have talked about the fact that we are facing a dangerous watershed, that hatred directly destroys society, but it is from this tribune that many of my colleagues have said, ‘Well, Mrs. Zohrabyan, they may not like you.’ you see the overdose of hatred. But now we see that it is not a matter of loving or not loving me, it is about the phenomenon, because what is happening today is the result of permissiveness, “the MP said.

Naira Zohrabyan agreed with the observation of one of the deputies that the situation would not have worsened if the state had responded in time. She reminded that during the Yerevan Council of Elders elections, she, his child, family members and even her deceased father’s grave were targeted, but the state did nothing. She also agrees with the statement that women should not be “sorted out” because there is no opposition woman or woman in power, a woman remains a woman.

The members of the “My Step” faction made speeches based on the idea that the opposition figures are more protected by the Human Rights Defender than the representatives of the government.

Women representatives of the government emphasize that not only do they receive  hate speech, but also specific intimidation, but there is no response from the Human Rights Defender,” said Lusine Badalyan, a member of the “My Step” faction.

First of all, Arman Tatoyan did not agree with the idea that the members of the government team have never been protected by the Human Rights Defender, there have been statements about the family members of the government representatives. “I have never said that the opposition has an advantage over the government. That’s not my job. The authority of the Human Rights Defender is not everywhere. I do not interfere in political discussions, it is not my job, “he said.

In any case, he noted that he considers hatred and violence against women inadmissible, regardless of whether it is directed at the opposition or the government. “The cases when you refer to hatred and violence against women are, of course, inadmissible. I always talk about them, they are regular announcements. The protection of women, the protection of private life are the most important issues, “Tatoyan said.

Let us remind you of Arman Tatoyan’s remarkable note on the topic, in which he refers to the hate speech voiced in the National Assembly, noting that it serves as an example for the whole society.

“Rules that apply to everyone, but are especially important for the political majority and each of its representatives, who have received a mandate of high confidence. One should not use derogatory words insulting human dignity. It leads to dangerous consequences, it doubles the insult and hatred, it provokes violence.

This is especially true of those who hold public office and those who engage in public activities who, in their political or other discourse, should be restrained and not allow any word to generate or provoke hatred. The same goes for political speech or debate.

As for the “double standards”, they appeared in full force when the chairman of the Public Council, Stepa Safaryan, made an obviously hateful post against a female political scientist with opposition views on her Facebook page. One of the users asked the women to show solidarity in the matter, but the call remained unanswered. The Facebook was again divided into camps, one of which was critical and the other was silent, as if nothing had happened. The women MPs of the “My Step” faction kept silent, preferring not to “notice” the word, which is a vivid example of hatred, and not to respond to the unforgivable behavior of the official, although the networks were flooded with criticism.

Two days later, an obscene and hateful post about Tatarik Razazyan and her newborn daughter was made by an unknown user whose name does not say anything to the public. In contrast to the first incident, the authorities criticized the inadmissible act without queuing up.

By the way, the Human Rights Defender made statements condemning in both cases, thus proving that he does not belong to the number of “double standards”.

… I saw the absolutely unacceptable, anti-human and anti-legal post of a person connected with Tatik Razyan and her newborn daughter. This post is a complete hate speech, the most severely reprehensible statement with expressions that absolutely violate the dignity of a man, a woman who has become a mother. The hatred directed at the newborn child is absolutely condemnable. Such actions must be completely ruled out, eradicated, and such persons must be held accountable. I ask the users of social networks not to use that person’s post in the publications in order not to spread hate speech and not to make his person more public. “All measures will be taken within the competence of the Human Rights Defender, the issue will be under my direct attention,” Arman Tatoyan wrote.

“I consider it inadmissible to insult Tatarik Revazyan and her innocent baby because of her omissions and political views. Finally, learn to separate the personal and the practical. This is a disgrace, “Arpine Hovhannisyan wrote, wishing” health to the baby and Tatievik “…

It remains to state  that these reactions are no different from the reactions of the authorities… So there is hope that at least there will be no more double standards in condemning xenophobia…