acts causing different types of injuries. In this section, cases of physical and psychological abuse have been considered a violation of the right to respect for private and family life. In particular, the cases of physical violence, sexual violence, extortion, dissemination or a threat of dissemination of personal information, as well as cases of domestic violence manifested in both physical, psychological, and economic forms, are summarized. In some of the cases described, the offender is the administrative body that has failed in its obligation to respect human rights as a representative of the state. In other cases, the perpetrators are individuals who have acted in an atmosphere of impunity created by the state. The inability of law enforcement agencies to provide adequate protection for LGBT people has led to a situation where individuals commit acts even prohibited by the Criminal Code but are not held accountable for it. Therefore, the failure of the state’s obligation to protect human rights from third-party violations has been observed here.
Cases of physical violence Violence and oppression against the victim are often ignored or encouraged by society. Negative public attitudes towards LGBT people are spread in institutions that are obliged to be involved in upbringing, educating people, and shaping opinions. As a result, even these institutions fail not only in educating individuals but also in protecting those that should be under their protection. The problem is more visible in schools, where the victims are minors. Violence against LGBT minors leads to psychological pressure and denial of their identity. At the same time, if minors subjected to violence or harassment on other grounds may receive the support of their teachers or their parents, in the case of LGBT people, the circle or justification of violence may continue shall they refer to these people. This is evidenced by the cases of domestic violence presented below. In addition, minors do not always have access to law enforcement, and when they do, they face legal obstacles, such as involving legal representatives in the investigation. Thus, legal protection mechanisms become inaccessible to minors. The applicant is a minor boy who lives in one of the regions of Armenia. According to the perceptions of his fellow citizens, he has a different appearance (long hair, differing features). Because of his appearance, the child is bullied at school. During the lessons at school, his classmates throw pens and papers at him, thus disturbing him. Teachers often do not interfere, saying that children at that age always act so. Classmates regularly insult him, saying «you look like a faggot, bastard, so girlish, there is nothing boyish in you”. There were also cases of physical violence in the classroom, in the buildings adjacent to the school, and in the school toilet. His classmates took him to the girls’ restroom and tried to use physical violence. The applicant always wears the same black clothes because of bullying, he tries not to look different. He states that bullying affects him; he does not eat. He avoids reporting violence to teachers, thinking it is the behavior of a “weak” person.
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