Justice Minister says current hate speech laws insufficient

PanARMENIAN.Net - Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan, during a briefing with journalists, addressed the fight against hate speech in public discourse. She stated that current regulations in Armenia are insufficient to fully resolve the hate speech issue and that liability will also be introduced for milder forms of hate speech.

Galyan explained that while there are existing legal foundations concerning equality before the law and the prohibition of discrimination, they mainly cover more severe manifestations of hate speech, according to Armenpress.

Specifically, the Criminal Code already provides for liability concerning discrimination, incitement to violence, and public justification or promotion of violence. However, there are currently no appropriate legal mechanisms addressing milder yet dangerous forms of hate speech.

"We plan to establish liability in a certain format and manner for, so to speak, milder forms of hate speech. Of course, alongside setting liability, as I have already mentioned, we also plan to conduct various campaigns aimed at raising public awareness to help address the problem," Galyan said.

The minister added that a separate strategic document focusing on the prohibition of discrimination and equality before the law is being planned. This document will outline new liability measures and help develop a comprehensive approach.