JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES DISCRIMINATED IN ARMENIA

AZG Armenian Daily
17/01/2008

"Armenia does not follow a deliberate religious policy and does
not sow enmity or intolerance towards religious minorities. And yet,
public panic is felt towards some religious groups with regard to their
preaching mechanisms and behaviour," Hranoush Kharatian, Adviser to the
RA Prime Minister on National Minorities and Religious Issues told A1+
while commenting on the recent report of Amnesty International.

To remind, Amnesty International reported today that Jehovah’s
Witnesses face discrimination and imprisonment in Armenia because
of their beliefs. Many young men in the religious organization are
jailed because their faith prohibits them from doing military service,
while others have been attacked – including allegedly by supporters
of the country’s dominant religious group.

Mrs. Kharatian states that the society is ill-disposed towards
Jehovah’s Witnesses. The negative attitude is perceived at every
step. For example, "One Nation" Party constantly distributes flyers,
conducts actions and urges people to "beware of Jehovah’s Witnesses."

"We cannot name it a religious discrimination as they neither
instigate aggression nor take tough measures against Jehovah’s
Witnesses. Their step cannot be viewed as a call for intolerance,"
Hranush Kharatian adds.

"I would like to note that very often citizens complain of Jehovah’s
Witnesses who visit them and get on their nerves with their preaching.

Amnesty International had better depict the situation in a balanced
way," Mrs Kharatian says.

"Armenia provides a genuinely civilian alternative to compulsory
military service. Two types of alternative service are
suggested-working military and civilian.

Only 19-21 Jehovah’s Witnesses have chosen this service.

Shortly afterwards, they announced that the service contradicts their
principle to deny military service.

Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t want to have any ties with Military
Commissariat or the Ministry of Defense.

The Armenian authorities do not pursue Jehovah’s Witnesses. The matter
is under the control of the Defense Ministry as the latter recruits
young men to serve in the army and cares for their health if they
fall ill.

None of Jehovah’s Witnesses has applied for alternative service over
the past few years. If they avoid alternative service they are detained
and considered deserters."

Mrs. Kharatian states that the "Law on Alternative Military Service"
functions well in Armenia. Jehovah’s Witnesses simply avoid service.