Protect Family Members of Human Rights Defenders

More than just protecting human rights defenders, States should “refrain from, and ensure adequate protection from, any act of intimidation or reprisals against their family members and associates. 56

Summary: Two cases of intimidation and reprisals against family members and associates of human rights defender were reported. It is noteworthy that both cases are linked with female human rights defenders – a woman human rights defender Lara Aharonian and journalist, lawyer Zaruhi Mejlumyan.

10.1.

In the case of Lara Aharonian, in addition to threats made against the woman human rights defender, 57 mostly fake users in online platforms also target her family, and spread false and abusive information about her children.

10.2.

There were also threats in the case of Zaruhi Mejlumyan. In her interview, the journalist-attorney notes that her family has “been subjected to unprecedented hatred, calls for violence and threats in the history of newly independent Armenia”. Such an approach, according to Zaruhi Mejlumyan, has been in place for the past five years, but in 2019 it reached alarming levels with any positive shift in the case of her husband, Mher Yenokyan. 58

Recommendations

To the RA National Assembly, the RA Government and other state agencies:

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Adopt an adequate legal framework to protect family members of human rights defenders and closely monitor its implementation.