Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan condemned the incident involving lawmakers in the National Assembly, demanding that not only violent conduct but also any statements justifying violence be ruled out.
She emphasized that parliament should serve as a platform for democratic discussions, not a “battlefield.”
“Any manifestation of violence by high-ranking officials, including members of parliament, contributes to the spread of attitudes in society that regard violence as a means of resolving disagreements and seek to justify it.
Preventing violence in public statements and conduct is the responsibility of representatives of state authorities.
The Human Rights Defender demands that not only behavior involving violence but also any statements justifying violence be excluded. The incident must be properly investigated in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Such incidents further reinforce attitudes that justify violence, the unacceptability of which the Human Rights Defender had already addressed today in a statement issued in connection with public discussions on preventing domestic violence,” the statement said.
On October 29, a physical altercation broke out during a National Assembly session between representatives of the Civil Contract and Strong Armenia parliamentary factions. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, commenting on the brawl in parliament, expressed support for the actions of the Civil Contract faction.
“I condemn violence, but I support the measures taken today by the Civil Contract faction. Just because someone is in the opposition does not mean they can behave insolently. Whether it was with a chair or something else, it was proportionate and justified,” he said.
