In Yerevan, LGBT activists hold protest action at conference to fight against xenophobia

During the first day of the international conference "Fight in Europe against discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance", about 10-12 LGBT activists held a protest action with posters, criticizing the country authorities for lack of tolerance, including in relation to sexual minorities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in 2013, Armenia for the first time headed the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Among the priorities to work for in Armenia, Eduard Nalbandyan, Armenian Foreign Minister, has outlined the fight against racism and xenophobia and strengthening of the European human rights standards and the rule of law.

The LGBT activists have settled down in front of the "Marriott-Armenia" Hotel, where the international conference began, and then went into the hall. That happened during the greeting speech delivered by Eduard Nalbandyan, Armenian Foreign Minister. In his speech, the Minister has emphasized that some issues related to intolerance to certain organizations still remain acute and expressed his hope for the resolution of those problems.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the activists, who broke into the hall during the Minister's speech, behaved generally calm. Policemen tried to stop the entry of the activists in the hall; however, the activists did not surrender, and they were allowed to stay.

"The purpose of our action is to demonstrate for representatives of Europe the inadmissibility of such conferences in Armenia, where there is pressure on citizens and human rights," stated human rights defender Mikael Danielyan.