www.aravot.am inquired of Alexander Amaryan, the Head of the Center for Help and Rehabilitation to Victims of Destructive Cults NGO, whether their fight was in line with the law, particularly given the fact that the Armenian legislation didn’t mention the phenomenon of sect, instead, what Amaryan meant was considered as a religious organization, according to the law. Amaryan says that sects are unacceptable, whereas the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia forbids religious discrimination, and according to
Article 26, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” We inquired whether he didn’t agree with those provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.
In response to these questions, A. Amaryan said the following, “Section 2 of that article of the Constitution stipulates that if these religious organizations violate, they should be forbidden and fought against. (Let us quote that Section 2 of Article 26 of the Constitution, in order to compare with Mr. Amaryan’s quotation, ‘The execution of this right can be restricted only by the law, if it is necessary for the public security, health, morality or protection of others’ rights and freedoms.’ – T. H.) Therefore, I am not contradicting the Constitution, if it is a violation according to Section 1, then I am guided by Section 2.”
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In response to a question regarding the usage of the word “sect,” “Who has said that it doesn’t exist, if it is not common among us or is not circulated, there are international norms. Never forget that we have double legislation. If we don’t have respective internal state laws… there are different laws, for example the model law for the CIS countries, which mentions religious organizations and which Armenia has signed.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
