Real TV attacks LGBTQI+ community again

The Real TV channel, affiliated with the government, has once again targeted Azerbaijan's LGBTQI+ community.

On March 8th of this year, feminists organised the traditional March 8 protest action and made statements on various issues during this picket protest. Among these statements was a section concerning the rights of the LGBTQI+ community in the country. The statement demanded to ensure the effective execution of the rights of expression, association and peaceful assembly of all citizens, including LGBTQI+ and those who defend their rights. Demands were also put forward for rights such as hormone therapy and adaptation surgeries for the LGBTQI+ community, as well as the classification of hate crimes as aggravating circumstances.

During the proclamation of the statement, one of the participants raised the rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQI+ pride.

A few days later, in the program "Mirshahin's Time" broadcasted on Real TV, presenter Mirshahin Agayev voiced these words: "Personally, in my opinion, the offence committed by those who brought the LGBT flag in front of Natavan's monument in Baku is equivalent to those who tarnished Natavan's monument face in France. Both are a blow to Azerbaijan."

Minority Azerbaijan stated, "Such hate calls from media representatives are not new, and as a result of hate speech, the LGBTQI+ community becomes a target. After the transphobic remarks by journalist and blogger Sevinc Huseynova in 2021, especially the trans community was targeted. Several women were killed, and subjected to violence. Our colleague Avaz Hafizli, who protested against such hate calls and hate crimes, became a victim of a hate crime. We demand that law enforcement agencies and the Human Rights Ombudsman take adequate measures against hate speech and the use of mass media to spread hatred and hostility towards LGBTQI+s, in order to protect our constitutional right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression."