Criminal and Administrative Accountability Mechanisms to be Implemented – Human Rights Defender

Hate speech continues to remain one of the most urgent issues in Armenia. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan during a press briefing, highlighting its dangerous consequences for social and legal relations.

“Overall, the issue of hate speech is undeniably one of the most pressing in Armenia, as it is a very negative phenomenon that itself serves as a basis for numerous other problems and crimes. However, it is quite widespread in Armenia today,” said Manasyan.

According to her, this dangerous phenomenon often manifests not only within society but also among public figures and professional communities, leading to more serious consequences. The Human Rights Defender specifically emphasized the key role of journalists in preventing hate speech and combating its proliferation. In her opinion, journalists can both contribute to the prevention of such speech and inadvertently promote its spread.

“We constantly monitor not only the general processes related to hate speech but also any phenomenon that may deviate journalists' professional activities from the principle of unobstructed action. At the same time, we are monitoring any type of speech that, perhaps, is not subject to criminal liability but is problematic in the public sense. I want to particularly emphasize that our monitoring is directed at all groups without exception. Yes, in various situations, we record cases where journalists' professional activities are visibly hindered, or at least cases occur that are problematic or simply unacceptable in the context of public expression,” noted Manasyan.

Addressing the avenues for resolving the issue, Anahit Manasyan stated that comprehensive educational reforms are necessary to form a proper understanding of the lawfulness of speech among the public. Additionally, according to Manasyan, legislative changes are crucial, specifically the introduction of mechanisms for administrative accountability for hate speech alongside criminal liability, which can significantly enhance the effectiveness of prevention.

“First and foremost, of course, the educational system must be transformed to properly shape individuals' perceptions of the lawfulness of speech. Because today, among professional communities, for instance among lawyers, there are widespread notions that if a certain type of speech is not subject to criminal liability, then it is completely normal. However, this is not the case. There are types of speech that, although they do not lead to criminal liability, are problematic from various other perspectives, such as the spread of discriminatory attitudes. In this regard, it is truly important that the educational environment is fully reformed,” concluded her statement Manasyan.