Naira Zohrabyan calls for international expertise
Naira Zohrabyan, a member of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made a discussion at today's discussion that focused on the crisis of democracy in CoE member states.
She highlighted the reports of co-rapporteurs Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC) and Nursuna Memecan (Turkey, ALDE).
"Europe is experiencing a crisis of democracy today, and there are numerous reasons behind it. Some of them are presented in the report of Nursuna Memecan. The populist extremism in many member countries of the Council of Europe is a serious threat for democratic values. I agree with the co-rapporteur that the populist speeches made by some leaders are leading to an atmosphere of hatred and intolerance," said Naira Zohrabyan.
As an example, she cited Azerbaijani President's speech made at the Baku-hosted session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly on April 3. Naira Zohrabyan labeled it as an unmatched speech of racism and xenophobia.
"And it is not accidental that in its report the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance said the Azerbaijani authorities are deepening intolerance towards Armenians with their constant negative statements. This is simply impermissible," she said.
"Therefore, we should fight jointly against any word and action that escalates tension between different racial, ethnic, religious or social groups. I address my words to Turkey which is constantly violating the rights of national minorities. We have raised the issue from the PACE tribute many times," said the Armenian delegate.
Naira Zohrabyan then cited an extract from the co-rapporteur's report where the PACE urges the CoE member states to include in school curricula anti-racist programs that will promote peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Then she demanded international expertise for Azerbaijani text-books.
"I call on my PACE colleagues to study Azerbaijani textbooks in which Armenians are presented as vandals and killers. These textbooks will further instill intolerance, racism and extremism towards Armenians and give rise to serious problems that Europe is facing today. I do not imagine how a generation brought up on the Azerbaijani text-books may display tolerant attitude toward Armenians," she said.
Karine Asatryan
Strasbourg
