Discussions on prevention of hate speech in NA more like adoption of mechanism restricting political dissent: Gevorg Petrosyan

The discussions conducted in the NA on prevention of hate speech and on working out draft in that direction passed in unequal conditions, Prosperous Armenia faction deputy Gevorg Petrosyan told the reporters today.

He said he participated in the first session of the working group and noticed the tendency of conducting the discussions in unequal conditions as the representation of not all the NGOs has been ensured with only those having one-sided position being present.

Petrosyan described the claim that all have been invited and informed via Facebook post as inadmissible, stressing the necessity of sending proper notification.

“My personal opinion is that it is a mechanism to restrict political dissent and a false agenda. What does hate speech mean? Yes, I hate homosexuals, ignorance, unconstructive approach, betrayal of homeland, now if I say that I hate these phenomena, today or tomorrow they will adopt a bill and say come and be subjected to responsibility for this hatred,” Petrosyan said.

He said the faction will continue participating in the works of the task group if they manage to specify where the freedom of speech ends and the hate speech begins.

“I am convinced that they will not be able to draw the line. Consequently, my opinion is that it all is being done to consider the hate speech addressed to opponents of the authorities be normal, lawful and not punishable and those of the opponents a problem that must be discussed,” he said.