To achieve judicial independence and established democracy, to create a reliable system of human rights protection.

Judiciary

Independent judiciary is the most important precondition for a democratic society and democratic state. The court is often the last instance for the r…

Human Rights

The proper protection of human rights and freedoms is a prerequisite for a decent life. Throughout our work, we reveal various systemic problems that …

Elections

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a sovereign democratic state. It is a well-known fact that elections have been falsified for many years…

Statement by a Group of Civil Society Organizations on the Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the USA

20/01/2025
On behalf of the undersigned civil society organizations, we welcome the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America. This partnership opens new opportunities, not only for Armenia but for the entire region, contributing to regional security, peaceful and dignified coexistence, and economic cooperation. The parties also emphasize the values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the strengthening of which will undoubtedly contribute to Armenia's development, sovereignty, and security.

Statement on not Dropping the Cases against Azerbaijan

14/01/2025
On January 9, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made several claims in a Facebook post, including suggestions for establishing lasting stability and peace with Azerbaijan. Among other suggestions, the Prime Minister stressted the following: “Withdraw the claims against each other, including, but not limited to, claims in international courts, To dissolve the OSCE MG.” We, the undersigned non-governmental organisations, condemn the proposal of the Prime Minister and consider it extremely worrying and unacceptable. We hereby demand from the RA Government and the Prime Minister not to drop the cases against Azerbaijan in international instances under any circumstances.

The Reduction of Working Hours: from 8 to 7

09/01/2025
We, the undersigned organisations, express our support for the draft law foreseeing the reduction of working hours from 8 to 7 per day, and from 40 to 35 per week. This initiative is important in terms of strengthening the workers’ right to decent work, prioritizing the workers’ health and well-being.

The Rights for All, an educational board game developed by the LDPF

26/12/2024
The Law Development and Protection Foundation has developed a game titled “The Right for Everyone” aimed at raising the awareness of the citizens, providing knowledge about human rights and the protection mechanisms thereof , as well as on the civic engagement. The game is intended for all citizens, especially for the high-school students and students not specialized in law.  The game has the following thematic areas: the purpose and role of the human rights, the fundamental values of democracy, human rights and their protection mechanisms, the functions of the state and civil society institutes, parties, civic movements in the domain of human rights, elections, branches of Government, and administrative, civic (family and labor law), and criminal procedures.

How to make the prevention of domestic violence more effective?

09/12/2024
On December 4 the LDPF participated in the International Conference titled “Human Rights Research in Armenia: Current and Emerging Issues” organized by the American University of Armenia and Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. During the conference e held a panel session on the effectiveness of legal mechanisms for the protection of victims of domestic violence.  Currently, the LDPF is studying the judicial cases regarding the application of immediate intervention measures with the aim to reveal the legislative and law enforcement issues that lead to the termination of these measures for perpetrators by the courts.

Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh: full fact-finding report now available

18/11/2024
This fact-finding report examines the situation for ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh1 from 2020 to 2024, starting with the ceasefire statement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the close of the Second NagornoKarabakh War on November 9, 2020 and ending with Azerbaijan’s military offensive launched against Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and its aftermath. It aims to identify the reasons behind the mass exodus of the remaining ethnic Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh. The report is the product of an international fact-finding effort that uses extensive interviews conducted with ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh and triangulates them with open-source data to answer the following question: why are there no Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Observations and Recommendations on Making Amendments to the Electoral Code of the RA and the related laws

15/11/2024
The “Eyewitness” and “Independent Observer” observation coalitions have issued joint recommendations on the draft law on “Making Amendments to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia.” The draft laws on “Making Amendments and Supplements to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia, to the Constitutional Law on Parties and several related laws were included in the agenda of the National Assembly and adopted in the first reading. on 24 October 2024 Both the draft laws adopted during the first reading and the provisions proposed in the period between the first and second readings are problematic and lack sufficient justification.
Media

Petrosyan Discusses Compulsory Enforcement and Challenging Regulatory Acts on "Your Attorney"

Genya Petrosyan, director of the LDPF,  sat down with Narine Solomonyan, host of the “Your Attorney” program to discuss the issues of administrative procedure and compulsory enforcement of judicial acts. The problems discussed were identified as part of the study carried out by the LDPF, which also proposed respective solutions. Petrosyan touched upon the solution to the problem of disproportionality of enforcement costs, the order of the distribution of confiscated funds, confiscation of non-inherited property, the real beneficiary of the debtor, and the protection of the rights of minors in this context
Events

How to make the prevention of domestic violence more effective?

On December 4 the LDPF participated in the International Conference titled “Human Rights Research in Armenia: Current and Emerging Issues” organized by the American University of Armenia and Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. During the conference e held a panel session on the effectiveness of legal mechanisms for the protection of victims of domestic violence.  Currently, the LDPF is studying the judicial cases regarding the application of immediate intervention measures with the aim to reveal the legislative and law enforcement issues that lead to the termination of these measures for perpetrators by the courts.
Statements

Statement by a Group of Civil Society Organizations on the Strategic Partnership between Armenia and the USA

On behalf of the undersigned civil society organizations, we welcome the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter between the Republic of Armenia and the United States of America. This partnership opens new opportunities, not only for Armenia but for the entire region, contributing to regional security, peaceful and dignified coexistence, and economic cooperation. The parties also emphasize the values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the strengthening of which will undoubtedly contribute to Armenia's development, sovereignty, and security.
Legislative proposals

NGOs are concerned about the risk of disproportionate restrictions on the rights of trial participants

On 10 April 2024, the draft laws on Making Amendments and Supplements to the Civic Procedure Code and Administrative Procedure Code of the RA were circulated on the Unified Website for Publication of Legal Acts’ Drafts.The Law Development and Protection Foundation, in collaboration with the Protection of Rights without Borders NGO, the Democracy Development Foundation, the Transparency International Armenia, and the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office published an expert opinion on the draft law pointing out 3 major problematic regulations, analyzing them, and making recommendations.The organisations assert that they have studied these draft laws and have come to the conclusion that several amendments are problematic and concerning as they carry a high risk of disproportionately restricting the rights of trial parties.
Our mission is to contribute to the establishment of an independent judicial system, development of democratic institutions, protection of human rights through legal research, advocacy and implementation of targeted programs.
PUBLICATIONS
Research
Assigning particular importance to the validity of our positions, we conduct comprehensive research and analysis, revealing issues pertaining to both legislative framework and practice. We study relevant international standards, best practices and develop recommendations taking into consideration the Armenian context.
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Manuals
Through manuals we describe main legal regulations in the specific field and clearly state the steps which need to be undertaken.
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Policy papers
Through policy papers we address main issues of the particular field, analyze them and draw up recommendations, indicating the addressees of the problems.
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