Harsh Offenses and Hatred Towards Individuals Reach Dangerous Levels in Our Country: Ombudsman

We must recognize that in this way, we are endangering the foundations of the judicial system altogether; this is a path that destroys institutional trust in the courts. This statement was made by the Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan on his Facebook page.

“1. Harsh offenses and hatred directed at individuals are reaching dangerous levels in our country, targeting their private and family lives. It is absolutely unacceptable when children are used for illegal purposes. This phenomenon exacerbates tensions, leads to dangerous consequences, and multiplies the offense. We must stop and eliminate the dangerous habit of insulting each other and degrading each other's dignity.

2. There is a highly concerning phenomenon targeting Judge Arsen Nikoghosyan's private and family life, using highly personal data, inciting hatred against him and his young children.

3. The Human Rights Defender's office has recorded extensive insults and threats directed at the judge's family, including his children and wife, as well as directly towards the judge himself. This is highly concerning and represents a phenomenon that is destroying our country's justice system, which is already reaching dangerous levels.

We must understand that this way we are jeopardizing the foundations of the judicial system altogether; this is a path that destroys institutional trust in the courts. All of this is due to the imperative that the courts are independent and are meant to guarantee the legal security of the country and the stability of the legal system. Any question or issue must be resolved exclusively through legal means.

4. I specifically note that for public officials, the requirements are stricter since they have a specific legal status and are limited within the boundaries of that status. Any deviation can lead to legal responsibility. They must be restrained and must not allow any words that generate insult or hatred, or create tension. Furthermore, these requirements are always valid; non-working hours or days cannot be a justification for a public official's unlawful actions. Society always perceives them in their official capacity.

It is absolutely unacceptable when the President of the Public Council uses a picture of a young child to make a post that turns the child into a target of hatred. More concerning is that the comments made under that post which degrade dignity and incite hatred are not removed.

5. This vicious phenomenon is yet another example of the caution that must be exercised regarding the publication of children’s images on social networks or to refrain from that temptation altogether. It is essential to always remember that this may easily put a child at risk of dangerous phenomena,” the statement reads.