Armenian NGOs urge for screening Serbian LGBT film

Several human rights NGOs have voiced their protest over the efforts to frustrate the screening of the Serbian LGBT film, The Parade, in Armenia.

In a joint statement addressed to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea and German Ambassador Rainer Morel, they consider such efforts a restriction on fundamental human rights and freedoms in the country.


“Any democratic, social and rule of law country should consider impermissible such a violation of human rights, particularly those relating to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to search, receive, obtain and disseminate information by any method regardless of state borders.

It is clearly enshrined in the Armenian Constitution and better outlined in several international instruments under which Armenia has a commitment to protect each person’s fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as a positive obligation to ensure the effective exercise of those rights,

Armenia has, within the frameworks of the European Neighborhood Policy, undertaken an obligation to strengthen its respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms which are the basic principles of the Armenia-EU cooperation. What’s even more, the Armenian Government receives assistance, including financial, for the implementation of these rights,” reads the statement.

Expressing their concerns and anxiety over the plans to prevent the film’s screening, the representatives of the organizations call upon the Armenian government to abide by its commitments and ensure the organization of the event in observance of security rules.

The NGOs which have signed below the statement include the Public Information and Knowledge Need (PINK Armenia), Women’s Resource Center, Helsinki Association, Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Women’s Support Center and many others.