Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that some individuals leaving Armenia, particularly those connected to criminal groups, falsely claim to be members of sexual minorities to gain asylum in Europe. He asserted that these claims are made to secure residency rights.
“Criminal elements leave Armenia for Europe and claim that they are gay and face persecution in Armenia. Do you know why? To obtain the right to residency,” Pashinyan said.
During his remarks, he indicated that improving legislation on equality and anti-discrimination is crucial to mitigating these claims of persecution. Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia needs to align its laws with European standards, although he acknowledged that these standards may vary significantly among European countries.
In a personal account, Pashinyan mentioned meeting an Armenian man in Paris who worked as a hotel waiter. The man reportedly told him that he had left Armenia due to his sexual orientation, expressing feelings of being unable to live in the country.
The comments highlight the complex issues of asylum claims and the need for legislative reforms in Armenia, as the country seeks to improve its alignment with European norms while addressing potential abuses of the asylum system.
