On April 27, The Coalition to Stop Violence against women issued a statement on the behaviour of the Head of the Police RA Vladimir Gasparyan towards the journalist Siranush Papyan. The Coalition is deeply concerned about the inadequate behaviour of Vladimir Gasparyan on April 24 by the Memorial of Tsitsernakaberd. During the meeting with the journalists the Head of the Police RA Vladimir Gasparyan tried to manipulate Siranush Papyan- the journalist of Lragir and 1.am web-sites when implementing her professional activity he said: ” I do not see women in you”.
The Coalition to Stop Violence against Women describes this as a manifestation of sexism, discrimination against women and psychological violence against the journalist. At the same time we want to mention that targeting and insulting women becomes a common practice for the police senior officials. In particular, in august 2013 during the demonstration against the construction of the building on the address Komitas 5 street, the deputy head of police Arayik Petrosyan whispered sexual swearings on the ear of the activist Shogher Melkumyan, while another policeman kissed her neck. In the summer of 2015, on Baghramyan street, during the public demonstration ”Electric Yerevan”,the deputy head of police Hunan Poghosyan called the demonstrator Elena Ovsyannikova a provocator, and he told that she offered sex to the first line of the police officers.
The Coalition to Stop Violence against Women declares that sexual hints towards women activists and journalists are psychological weapons and these are used by the senior police officers as a means of pressure.
Such acts remain unpunished and are still going on, for its prevention we offer the mass media and human rights organizations to condemn the sexist behavior of Vladimir Gasparyan .
We demand from the head of Armenian Police Vladimir Gasparyan to make a public apologize to the journalist Siranush Papyan, otherwise there will be the need to demand his resignation.
We remind that according to the 6th article of the law on ”Ensuring equal rights and opportunities of women and men ” it is forbidden to make an offensive and public statement based on the gender of the person, including the mass media.