Tuesday, June 28, 2022
No Result
View All Result
Asbarez.com
NEWSLETTER
ՀԱՅ
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports
No Result
View All Result
Asbarez.com
ՀԱՅ
No Result
View All Result

ARF Central Committee Condemns Hate Crime in Armenia

by Ara Khachatourian
May 21, 2012
in Armenia, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories
20
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ARF Western US Central Committee chairman Avedik Izmirlian

LITTLE ARMENIA– Two days after the parliamentary elections in Armenia, a homemade firebomb was used to vandalize DIY, a bar in Yerevan frequented by non-traditionalist thinkers in Armenia and a safe-haven for the often-persecuted LGBT community in Armenia. This act is a hate crime.

The Internet and social media sites are abuzz with condemnation of this deplorable act, which some forces are blaming the Armenian Revolutionary Federation because of the suspects’ alleged affiliation with the party.

Asbarez caught up with ARF Western US Central Committee Chairman Avedik Izmirlian, who, on behalf of the ARF condemned the hate crime and called for “frank and honest discussion about intolerance.”

Below is the complete interview:

ASBAREZ: What are your views on the vandalism incident in Yerevan last week?

AVEDIK IZMIRLIAN: The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee strongly condemns and deplores the recent vandalism and destruction of a business in Yerevan. We also find the incident’s root impetus of homophobia and intolerance as equally reprehensible. We believe that those responsible for this act must be brought to justice based on the letter of the law.

ASBAREZ: Soon after the incident there was a lot of finger pointing at the ARF because individuals allegedly involved with incident had affiliations with the organization. Should the ARF be blamed for this act?

A.I.:
Equally deplorable are efforts by certain individuals and groups to politicize this matter and point the finger of blame at the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation had no involvement whatsoever with this crime. Our party was founded on the credo of advocating individual rights and fighting all forms of oppression, exploitation and discrimination.

We also strongly condemn and find it absolutely unacceptable any effort to legitimize this crime and any inflammatory statements that further exacerbates the situation.

From its inception, the ARF has been on the forefront of the movement for human rights and justice and has relentlessly combated efforts to curtail or stifle fundamental rights and freedoms be that of a nation, a group or individuals.

ASBAREZ: This is an incident that took place in Armenia, why should it matter here in the United States?

A.I.: Because this is a universal issue. Discrimination based on race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation has always been a contentious issue in societies as advanced as the one here in the United States. It is the ARF’s conviction, however, that in a civilized society, oppressing or stifling individual rights is unacceptable and must be outright rejected.

ASBAREZ:
Are there lessons to be taken from this situation?

A.I.: We believe that this incident must become an opportunity for frank and honest discussion about intolerance, persecution and discrimination in our society and serve as an impetus for the advancement of justice and human rights.

The ARF’s just mission of fighting for the aspiration of the Armenian Nation is anchored on the firm belief that no individual or state has the right to oppress or take away fundamental freedoms. After all that is what propels us-the ARF-to advance and fight for the ARMENIAN CAUSE.

Ara Khachatourian

Ara Khachatourian

Next Post

Baku Rights Abuses Focus of New Web Site

Comments 20

  1. Serge says:
    10 years ago

    I am very encouraged by this statement, there are no political party in Armenia with any ideology, if ARF could regain its commitment to the founding tenets of the party and show a genuine struggle for human rights, and against oppression and discrimination, the Armenian societies both in Armenia and diaspora are ready to embrace. ARF should understand that human rights are also integral parts of Hay Tad. Mr Izmirlian is right that this heinous hate crime incident must become an opportunity for the advancement of justice and human rights and I think ARF should lead on this perhaps by a visit to the bar and a frank discussion with the owner of the bar. ARF should also engage more directly with the NGOs who are fighting for human rights and environmental issues.

    Reply
  2. Tsayt says:
    10 years ago

    Izmirlian: ” It is the ARF’s conviction, however, that in a civilized society, oppressing or stifling individual rights is unacceptable and must be outright rejected.”

    Excellent!

    Reply
  3. Rubin says:
    10 years ago

    by Anna Autismova Abrahamian

    “This is such a misleading evaluation of the events, e.g. setting the pub in fire, with regards to which a criminal charge has been made and therefore, labeling it in any way prior to the court’s decision, is merely a grave violation of presumption of innocence. “Such people” means the ultra-liberals who’re equally to be blamed for causing a schism in an already deeply divided society. Did you know that DIY had Ataturk’s portray hanging on their walls? Did you know that as an LGBT minority, the owner of the pub would not have been a famous band’s equally famous lead singer and a downtown pub owner, had there been intolerance in Armenia? Why the need to constantly look for punching bags were there aren’t any? Have you seen the video where she and her overpaid-by-grants colleagues called the entire nation “tget” (illiterate, imbecile) and fascists? How can you join the parade against a nation that has fought against the fascists and has been a victim of horrendous Genocide, the Cause of which the party you represent otherwise holds dear… This is a blind leading the blind situation whereby a case that happens in Armenia in a socially and politically different circumstances, gets analyzed from a perspective of western standards without consideration of many nuances that has driven Armenia’s absolute public majority against ANYONE – be gay or straight – who’ll mingle up with the Turkish side the wrong way. Watch the video and see how the pub advocates distinctly declare that the Turkey is a more open and progressive and tolerant society than Armenia will ever be…. In short, do your research and respect presumption of innocence. When it comes to public values and national interests, everyone is equally accountable before law – whatever one’s religious, social, sexual, racial identity. P.S. I’m not a dashnak, never was, and never will be a part of any political party. I do follow every happening in detail. An informed society can achieve social justice. A public that is disinformed on a constant basis won’t make it to the nearest bus stop. “

    Reply
    • Tsayt says:
      10 years ago

      Your arguments are absolutely nonsensical. The bombing of that bar was a criminal action. Period. No one one is saying do not voice your objections against certain activities if you one does not like it. However, the same right that you want to have to air your opinion is the same right that every individual should and must have.

      A criminal act, such is the bombing of “adversary” can in no way help strengthen the future of Armenia. It can do the opposite, it will weaken any sense of security and chaos will reign.

      The trampling on individual rights is trampling on collective rights, you cannot have one without the other.

      The way Armenia is currently heading proves the point and people are finding hope elsewhere. They are leaving en masse. So in many ways the bombing and the ridiculous and irresponsible declaration by ARF and government high officials fits the image of Armenia perfectly.

      I am very proud that ARF structures in Armenia and diaspora corrected the error of some of their members, Artsvik Minassyan’s to be specific ( with his incredible uttering that the bombing was “perfectly normal act”).

      And by the way it is true that in general there is more tolerance in Turkey than Armenia for gays and lesbians. Those who consider this statement as an insult to Armenia and that nothing in Turkey can be better than Armenia…..and continue with their gay-bashing must seriously check their mental stabilities with a good psychologist.

      Reply
      • Anonymous says:
        10 years ago

        Bombing of the bar? There’s a difference between a firebomb and a bomb. A little clarity goes a long way.

        Reply
      • ArmeniacradleofcivARAM says:
        10 years ago

        Let the ARF RISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Without the ARF you ARMENIANS WOULD BE SITTING IN Modern day Armenia not knowing your An Armenian… Armenian revolutionary Federation=Birth of the Modern Armenia-ARF for Armenia, With Armenia and willing to sacrafice itselfs for Armenia Know this or don’t The ARF died for US to continue your works and this is what we get????? Shame on you Armenians Against the ARF No other political group in Armenia is as Sacrificing as the ARF

        Reply
  4. Peter Megerdumian says:
    10 years ago

    Why don’t these gay activists protest the murder of homosexuals in Azerbaijan , Turkey and Central Asian countries , Saudi Arabia and other right wing Islamofacist countries. Now that is what they need to focus on instead of attacking Armenian politicians. What was done was not right but the crimes committed by the Islamofacists must be exposed first.

    Reply
  5. Avetis says:
    10 years ago

    One day this will be recognized as the day when the ARF died.

    Reply
    • Sam says:
      10 years ago

      No, I don’t believe that, more like the day it came into the modern world, and came out of the 19th century closet

      Reply
  6. arziv says:
    10 years ago

    This is a storm in a tea cup. Political mind games; an attempt to stain the ARF reputation by linking it to violence.

    This LBG incident would not have taken place if in the first place such a club would have been granted no licence to operate. The government does one thing, the people does another or feels another. This is sickening in the sense that there is a falso impression that Armenia must be a carbon copy of contemporary decadent societies in the West. If the West tolerates gay clubs, Armenia must also have them, if the West tolerates pedophilia, Armenia must also do the same; if the West follows politics and practices of an antinational nature, Armenia must also do the same. In other words Armenia should be like monkey see monkey do ? No one is defending the violence against the club, it is to be condemned for the violence per se. But one needs to be reminded that democracy has also its limits, and thiese limits are exceeded when contrarian attitudes become adopted against the accepted social norms of a society.

    Reply
    • Sam says:
      10 years ago

      Who in the west tolerates pedophilia, other than those who prey on children…so just because the west has soap operas on television Armenia must have it, just because the world has environment polluting range rovers so should Armenia? Think before you speak, and look around you. You are probably sitting next to, dining next to, drinking next to, working next to someone who is gay…it’s not something that happened when the soviet union collapsed.

      Reply
    • Tsayt says:
      10 years ago

      So according to you gays and pedophilia are interchangeable notions. Reality proves otherwise my dear arziv. All those “respectable’ individuals, be it a school principal, daycare workers and in regular households in Armenia, and elsewhere, have been heterosexual individuals with their own families, unknown to ordinary citizens the monsters that they are. They are serving jail terms right now in Armenia.

      The ignorance and the intolerance that stems from it is truly mind-bogling. Any ignorant society is a doomed society. The world has indeed trying to deal with this ignorance and yes Armenia should follow others, for the sake of making Armenia a livable place for every citizen, with equal rights.

      Reply
  7. Albert Nercessian says:
    10 years ago

    There is a report that the Armenian village of Dovegh was recently attacked by machine gun fire on a kindergarden and an ambulance. We should be concerned about this and we would be protesting this. We should pressure the Armenian governement to launch a formal protest on this war crime in the UN and Council of Europe instead of wasting time on this issue.

    http://www.armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/37644/armenian_azerbaijan_frontine_dovegh_village

    Reply
    • Sam says:
      10 years ago

      As a modern nation, Armenia needs to balance it’s protection and protestations, and deal with many issues at the same time, not ignore one over the other.

      Reply
  8. Դրօ says:
    10 years ago

    Speaking of the Turks, they’ve been awfully quiet lately.

    Reply
  9. Armanen says:
    10 years ago

    I now consider the ARF to be a nationalist party only on paper. They have turned their backs on Armenian traditionalism, and are totally out of touch with Armenians in the Homeland.

    Reply
    • Hagop D says:
      10 years ago

      Very well said, I agree. The supposed “ARF” is now a “politically correct” tree-hugging organization, at least in the US. What kind of Tashnag establishment would lower itself and even mention the likes of the Kardashians in their official publications? Our revolutionaries are turning over in their graves.

      Reply
  10. Peter Megerdumian says:
    10 years ago

    I suspect this attack was done by someone trying to discredit the ARF .

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says:
    10 years ago

    Well said, Rubin.
    Media throws a bone in front of its viewers and they quickly seize the opportunity to take a bite.
    I know this course of action is highly intolerable but the media needs to use proper adjectives when describing events instead of altering and using fictitious wording.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Menendez, Schiff Alarmed that Biden Again Approves U.S. Military Aid to Azerbaijan

Menendez, Schiff Alarmed that Biden Again Approves U.S. Military Aid to Azerbaijan

11 hours ago
Press Boycotts Pashinyan’s ‘News Conference’

Press Boycotts Pashinyan’s ‘News Conference’

13 hours ago

Connect with us

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports

© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.

Accessibility

Accessibility modes

Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.

Online Dictionary

    Readable Experience

    Content Scaling
    Default
    Text Magnifier
    Readable Font
    Dyslexia Friendly
    Highlight Titles
    Highlight Links
    Font Sizing
    Default
    Line Height
    Default
    Letter Spacing
    Default
    Left Aligned
    Center Aligned
    Right Aligned

    Visually Pleasing Experience

    Dark Contrast
    Light Contrast
    Monochrome
    High Contrast
    High Saturation
    Low Saturation
    Adjust Text Colors
    Adjust Title Colors
    Adjust Background Colors

    Easy Orientation

    Mute Sounds
    Hide Images
    Virtual Keyboard
    Reading Guide
    Stop Animations
    Reading Mask
    Highlight Hover
    Highlight Focus
    Big Dark Cursor
    Big Light Cursor
    Navigation Keys

    Asbarez.com Accessibility Statement

    Accessibility Statement

    • asbarez.com
    • June 28, 2022

    Compliance status

    We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

    To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

    This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

    Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

    If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email

    Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

    Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:

    1. Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.

      These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

    2. Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.

      Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

    Disability profiles supported in our website

    • Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
    • Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
    • Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
    • ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
    • Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
    • Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

    Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

    1. Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
    2. Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
    3. Animations – epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
    4. Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
    5. Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
    6. Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
    7. Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

    Browser and assistive technology compatibility

    We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers), both for Windows and for MAC users.

    Notes, comments, and feedback

    Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to