MURDER CASE POINTS UP CONTINUING HOMOPHOBIA IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 001172

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2016
TAGS: PHUM AM
SUBJECT: MURDER CASE POINTS UP CONTINUING HOMOPHOBIA IN
ARMENIA


YEREVAN 00001172 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Acting DCM Robin Philips for Reason 1.4b.


1. (C) SUMMARY: The August 9 murder of an openly gay
businessman has sparked fears in the Armenian gay community
of a new round of police harassment. While some believe
the societal attitudes have improved since the 2003
decriminalization of homosexual activity, credible reports
persist that police harass and maintain extensive dossiers
on gay men. A recently established gay rights/health
advocacy NGO claims that societal discrimination, assaults,
and police harassment are a constant threat. END SUMMARY.

--------------
MURDER INVESTIGATION OR WITCH HUNT?
--------------


2. (C) On August 9, Armen Grigoryan, the openly-gay manager
of a jewelry store chain, was found dead in his apartment
with his hands and feet tied to his bed and with multiple
skull fractures. The police investigation to this point
seems to have focused mainly on possible partners. Grigor
Simonyan (please protect),a contact in the gay community,
told us he had heard reports that police had started to
round up gay men from a city park popular with the gay
community. Simonyan reported that the men had been
subjected to hostile questioning while in custody. Tim
Straight (please protect),a Norwegian diplomat with wide
contacts in the local gay community, confirmed these
reports, but was less critical of the authorities, because,
he pointed out, the murderer may in fact be from that
community. Straight further noted his concern that this
murder could serve as another opportunity for the police to
beef up what has been termed their "gay archive" and
further harass homosexuals.

--------------
NEW GAY RIGHTS NGO
--------------


3. (C) Simonyan (currently studying in Scotland) and Karen
Badalyan (please protect) recently registered an advocacy
NGO aimed at promoting gay rights, while also combating the
spread of HIV/AIDS and STDs. Funded by the Dutch
government, the NGO, "We for Civil Equality," will run a
hotline to provide medical, psychological, social and legal
consulting. However, the founders were advised not to
mention the words "sexual minorities" or "homosexual" in
the NGO's registration package to avoid difficulties with
the authorities.

--------------
MINIMAL IMPROVEMENT SINCE 2003
--------------


4. (C) Yerevan's small gay community, numbering some 500,
affords practically the only social niche for openly gay
men in Armenia. Same-sex orientation is virtually
invisible in the countryside and among women. While the
legal situation for gay men has improved over the last
three years, it remains far from ideal. Noting continued
gay bashing, discrimination and social intolerance,
Badalyan described conditions in Armenia as "simply
horrible" for the gay community. He listed specific
instances of individuals who have been fired from their
jobs, or have been "outed" by the police to their unaware
families. Moreover, both Straight and Badalyan believe
that they are under constant e-mail and telephone
surveillance by the authorities who, according to Badalyan,
still view homosexuality as aberrant. Gay men are also
customarily exempted from military service on grounds of
homosexuality. GOAM sources claim this is
because authorities' are unable to protect gay men from
violence and abuse at the hands of homophobic fellow
soldiers.


6. (C) Despite 2003 legislation criminalizing
discrimination based on sexual orientation and
decriminalizing homosexual conduct, societal attitudes
continue to be quite negative. Armenian men may commonly
express their prejudices by refusing to eat or shake hands
with openly gay persons. Popular gay gathering places may
be targeted by those who would do homosexuals harm.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


7. (C) While making small steps toward greater social
tolerance, Armenian social attitudes--among both

YEREVAN 00001172 002.2 OF 002


authorities and society at large alike--have a long way to
go to approach the levels of acceptance and integration
which have become the norm in the United States or Western
Europe. Resources for help and outreach are quite scarce
for gay and especially lesbian Armenians. The recent
legislative changes and the newly emerging civil society
advocacy are encouraging first steps for what will
doubtless be a lengthy road toward broader social
acceptance. END COMMENT.
EVANS