New Generation Humanitarian NGO Welcomes UPR Recommendations to Armenia on Advancing LGBTI Rights and Equality

Following the successful participation of New Generation Humanitarian NGO (NGNGO) at the Pre-sessions of the 49th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in Geneva, we are pleased to share a significant milestone: Armenia has received a total of 27 recommendations focused on protecting and promoting the rights of LGBTI persons during its fourth UPR cycle.

The recommendations, issued by a diverse group of UN Member States, reflect the concerns raised during the pre-session advocacy conducted by NGNGO and partner organizations. They address critical gaps in legal protections, discrimination, violence, access to healthcare, and the recognition of civil society actors working with vulnerable groups.

“We are encouraged by the international community’s recognition of the urgent need for Armenia to take concrete steps in ensuring equal rights for LGBTI persons,” said Sergey Gabrielyan, President of NGNGO. “These recommendations validate the tireless efforts of human rights defenders and call on the Armenian government to meet its human rights obligations.”

 

Key Recommendations to Armenia Include:

• Adopting comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Ensuring protection of LGBTI individuals from hate crimes and violence, including by improving law enforcement responses and prosecution.
• Guaranteeing access to healthcare for LGBTI people, including HIV prevention and treatment services.
• Combating hate speech and promoting societal acceptance through public education and training for government officials and police.
• Protecting human rights defenders and LGBTI organizations from harassment and threats.
• Ensuring a transparent administrative self-identification process for legal gender recognition.

These recommendations echo many of the points raised in NGNGO’s joint stakeholder submission with support and cooperation of the Eurasian Coalition for Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity (ECOM) and discussions at the UPR Pre-sessions in March 2025, in collaboration with international and local partners.

As Armenia prepares to respond to the recommendations no later than the sixtieth session of the Human Rights Council and draft its national report, NGNGO will continue to monitor developments and advocate for the full and effective implementation of the recommendations. Civil society plays a vital role in ensuring accountability, and we urge the government to engage in open dialogue with human rights organizations and affected communities.

We thank all states that supported these recommendations and reaffirm our commitment to advancing equality, dignity, and justice for all.