“Azatutyun” unilaterally defends government’s intention to criminalize public calls and propaganda of violence

During the August 14 evening issue of “Azatutyun” TV news center, a report was broadcasted on the Armenian authorities’ intention to criminalize public appeals of violence, its justification or propaganda.

The report presents only views justifying the draft law on “Addition to the Criminal Code” submitted to the public discussion by the Ministry of Justice.

First, it is recalled that two months ago at a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ordered law enforcement agencies not to use a velvet but a strict counterattack against the propaganda of violence, among which he emphasized those directly or indirectly linked to the former corruption system, saying: “Anyone who preaches violence in Armenia must get a tough response. Next time they have to think ten times before opening their mouth. And if, after thinking ten times, they still do such things, then they must receive a counterattack ten times, and that counterattack should not be velvety, that counterattack should be strict.”

“The project is complete and there was a need for it,” adds human rights activist Artur Sakunts. It is then noted that Pashinyan assigned Yeghishe Kirakosyan, at that time his adviser, now the plenipotentiary representative of the Armenian government at the European Court of Human Rights, to start work on the draft submitted by the prosecutor. The latter, in his turn, speaks with “Azatutyun”: “This project is intended to prevent hate speech, that is to say, to prevent hate speech, and violence.” The report is then summarized by Marianna Grigoryan, editor of Medialab website, who received calls of violence and threat. “This initiative is promising; we hope it will be fixed by the law because calls for violence are a direct path to concrete violence.”

We urge the “Azatutyun” TV news center to present alternative opinions, in addition to the ruling position, to maintain the principle of impartial and comprehensive information dissemination.