Arman Tatoyan: It is Extremely Concerning When the President of the Public Council Makes Demeaning Remarks

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, has addressed the recent comments made by the President of the Public Council, Stoipa Safaryan, in a Facebook post, which were written in response to Azerbaijani expert Angela Elibegova.

In this connection, the Human Rights Defender stated: "We must stop the dangerous habit of insulting each other and demeaning each other's dignity. This leads to dangerous consequences, multiplies insults and hatred, and ultimately incites violence. This is especially relevant for individuals engaged in public activities and particularly for those holding public office, who must be restrained and should not allow any speech that generates insults, hatred, or tension. The demands on public officials are even stricter since they have a specific status and are bound by the limits of that status. Any deviation can have legal consequences, including liability."

Tatoyan continued, "It is a critically concerning phenomenon when the President of the Public Council makes remarks that insult and demean a person's dignity, especially as a public official in charge of a legally established body that is meant to address specific issues and has a defined legal status. By virtue of their position, they have a mandatory responsibility to facilitate mutual trust, dialogue, and partnership relations within society."

The examination of the Public Council president’s post indicates it was made by insulting a woman, targeting her gender. Even more concerning is that underneath this post, comments that demean dignity and generate hatred are not only left untouched but are also clearly encouraged. In any type of debate, only substantive or objective issues should be discussed, without subjecting the opponent to insults or demeaning their dignity. These are the rules that will contribute to fostering an atmosphere of solidarity and mutual respect in society."