LONDON—The Equal Rights Trust announced on July 25 that PINK Armenia Executive Director Mamikon Hovsepyan has won the 2017 Bob Hepple Equality Award. The award, established in the name of the late Professor Sir Bob Hepple QC, champion of equality and nondiscrimination, continues his legacy to recognize outstanding contributions to equality.
“Despite facing considerable challenges, Mr. Hovsepyan has fought tirelessly to combat discrimination against LGBT individuals in Armenia. In addition, he has advocated a holistic approach to nondiscrimination, working to challenge violence against women and collaborating with other members of the Non-Discrimination and Equality Coalition to promote the adoption of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in Armenia. With this award the Trust hopes to encourage those—like Mr. Hovsepyan—who promote improved protection from all forms of discrimination, both in Armenia and elsewhere,” read a part of the statement released by the London-based Equal Rights Trust.
“I am so touched that my work with PINK Armenia has been noticed,” Hovsepyan said in response to the news of the award. “It makes us stronger and prouder of the work we do and we share this with our community, our supporters and allies. It encourages me in my fight as an activist to continue empowering others to join the frontline and make the world a better place for everyone.”
Since it was founded, PINK Armenia has been the subject of numerous threats and intimidation; in 2015, 37 NGOs detailed such instances in a joint letter to the President of Armenia, and on two occasions safety concerns resulted in the relocation of the PINK Armenia offices. Even when such challenges have arisen, PINK Armenia has continued to uphold an ambitious and innovative mandate, and its multifaceted approach has remained inclusive of advocacy, litigation, awareness raising, training, and support services.
Highlights of PINK Armenia’s work, spearheaded by Hovsepyan, include the following:
- Impact on Media Reporting: To address negative and limited media coverage of LGBT issues, PINK Armenia helps to form alliances between the media and LGBT individuals, promoting a glossary of appropriate terms to use in LGBT reporting, and Hovespyan has taken a courageous approach in confronting negative media. Since it began this work, PINK Armenia has identified an increase in both positive media reporting and inthe number of people using digital tools to speak out in support of LGBT individuals.
- Call to the Government of Armenia: PINK Armenia participates in dialog with the government and makes recommendations on, among other things, its draft laws and its Human Rights Action Plan. In 2015, as part of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Armenia, it called for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity as a recognized ground of discrimination in Armenia’s draft anti-discrimination law.
- Creation of New Innovations: PINK Armenia recently launched the training website “Inqnus,” a first-of-its-kind platform enabling people in Armenia and the Caucasus to participate safely and anonymously in training on sexuality, sexual health, human rights, and discrimination.
Congratulations Mamikon for being recognized for the incredible work you do to improve the lives and livelihoods of Armenian people, especially LGBTQ Armenians. People like you make me feel more connected to being Armenian.
Congratulations! Such great news.
I remember when some ARF members were punished for defending Mamikon and his work in this same newspaper. I am happy that times have changed and very proud of my friend who just wants inclusiveness and equality for all in Armenian society.
This is not about equality in the Armenian community. It is about LGBT recognition. I have not researched yet of who is PINK Armenia… but discrimination against children of single parents, single women parents, women in general, people with disabilities, children born with disabilities, people who are stricken by illness, people who are not financially secure, and I am sure there are other issues to consider, discrimination of the above mentioned groups is so severe and it has been so severe, as not in any other group of people I have experienced in the West (USA). Discrimination extended to even allowing themselves to the property rights of the above mentioned groups illegally, lifelong harassment, abuse, shunning, abandonment, you name it. And the saddest part is that it is supported by the media, NGO’s and any other organization I can think of. So DISCRIMINATION is a POLITICAL DECISION based on the values of the civilization we are building. Support for the discriminating is also a POLITICAL DECISION, supported by the people of “power” in the Armenian society – diaspora or wherever.