The monitoring of the activities of the government body responsible for the protection of human rights, as well as cultural and social institutions, reveals a significant increase in the use of ethnic or nationalist speech based on hatred in recent times. In some cases, this speech is being used as a tool for incitement. The Public Defender believes that the government needs to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of such speech, and the media should refrain from disseminating it further.

The defense of the rights of national minorities and the prevention of discrimination and violence through necessary and effective steps is also important. This was emphasized in the 2023 periodic report of the Public Defender of Human Rights of Armenia. The use of ethnic and nationalist speech has also been addressed by the European Court of Human Rights in connection with racism and xenophobia. The court has called for concrete measures to be taken to prevent its dissemination, including through education, in order to promote tolerance and respect for diversity.

It is crucial to monitor and address the increase in ethnic and nationalist speech that promotes hatred and incitement. The government should take immediate action to prevent the spread of such speech, and the media should play a responsible role by refraining from further dissemination. The protection of human rights, as well as the defense of national minorities, demands effective steps to prevent discrimination and violence. The efforts made by the Public Defender and international bodies like the European Court of Human Rights highlight the importance of taking concrete measures, including education, to promote tolerance and respect for diversity.