Right Side
The Right Side is an NGO focusing on transgender issues and working with the members of the Armenian trans community. It was founded in 2016 by trans rights defenders. The Right Side is the first and only trans rights NGO in the Caucasus which fights for the equal rights of all, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Defamation campaigns carried out by the state media and public officials are often used to stigmatise HRDs and discredit their work in Armenia. These campaigns tend to portray HRDs as foreign agents and spies and can result in increased threats, judicial harassment and onerous tax inspections of their organisations. A major cause for concern is the treatment of LGBTI rights defenders, who are often faced with physical attacks and verbal abuse, both from state officials and the general public. Women’s rights defenders are regularly threatened and are frequently criticised for their work by the media, public opinion in general, and their family members. Additionally, some HRDs working in remote areas face judicial harassment and threats from local law enforcement agencies.
