Statement Regarding Police Actions on May 27

29.05.2024

The specific reasons, objectives, and considerations related to maintaining public order that prompted the officers from the police special unit to appear near the party office remain unclear. However, it is clear that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia is obliged to explain and justify the presence and actions of the large number of police officers there.

As previously noted, the habitual conduct of law enforcement officers remains unchanged: they continue to engage in unlawful and disproportionate use of force, illegal detentions, and violations of the right to liberty during the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly. The use of such methods by the police is the result of a longstanding policy of impunity within the system, leading to the use of violent force becoming the main tool of the police.

The rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are recognized as fundamental human rights. Every individual is entitled to organize and participate in peaceful assemblies within the confines of the law, which are essential elements of democracy. Citizens have the right to peacefully express their views without fear of police violence. In response to violations of public order or improper or provocative actions by protesters, law enforcement officers are mandated to act strictly within the legal framework. The purpose of this measure is to remove particular individuals from the assembly and ensure the gathering proceeds peacefully. Improper behavior by protesters cannot in any way justify the unlawful actions of police officers.

We unequivocally condemn all instances and manifestations of violence by law enforcement agencies. We demand that the personnel of Armenia's law enforcement bodies act strictly within the bounds of the law, with respect for human rights, and in accordance with the principles of maintaining public order in a democratic state. Reaffirming our previous calls for radical reforms within the police system, we demand

From the RA Prosecutor General's Office and the RA Investigative Committee: Conduct an independent and effective investigation into each apparent case of human rights violation, degrading treatment, torture, and ill-treatment, and hold the police officers who committed such violations accountable. It is essential to ensure the transparency of the investigation and to properly inform the public about the steps being taken to eliminate the perception of impunity in society.
From the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs: Respect the rights of peaceful protesters, refrain from violence, disproportionate use of force, and other actions that degrade their dignity, and ensure the conduct of any peaceful assembly. The Ministry is obliged to immediately remove from the police ranks those officers who do not meet these standards.

In conditions of public and political confrontation, the only way to prevent further tensions is the strict adherence to the principles of the rule of law and equal accountability before the law for all. Actions that violate human rights and exacerbate tensions or propagate hate speech must be avoided.

Having a police force that meets the standards of a democratic state remains a top priority on the agenda.

May 28, 2024

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor Office
Transparency International Anticorruption Center
Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
Law Development and Protection Foundation
Democracy Development Foundation

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.

NGOs released statement on the developments around the draft law on video surveillance systems

12.11.2024

The Law Development and Protection Foundation has joined the NGO statement regarding the developments surrounding the draft law for the mandatory installation of video surveillance systems with 24-hour access for the police. While the NGOs welcome the withdrawal of the draft law by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they express concerns about the gradual approach being proposed, particularly in light of the challenges related to cybersecurity and personal data protection. This new initiative would allow police access to the surveillance footage from state and local self-government bodies. The NGOs emphasized the importance of involving the broader public in discussions about such initiatives and expressed their readiness to participate further and provide professional assistance.

The statement of a group of Armenian civil society organizations regarding the Armenia-EU visa liberalization process

30.09.2024

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, welcome the start of the visa liberalization dialogue between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union. This important step underscores the deepening cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, reflecting the willingness of both sides to foster closer ties, expand mobility and advance universal values. We express our willingness to support the implementation of commitments arising from this process through monitoring, policy development, public oversight, inclusive participation, and capacity building.

Statement Regarding Police Actions on May 27

29.05.2024

On May 27, 2024, during the protests, the actions of the RA police aimed at maintaining public order were accompanied by the mass detention of participants, violence against some participants, and cases of unlawful use of measures. Violence was also used against a member of the RA National Assembly near the ARF party office. As previously noted, the habitual conduct of law enforcement officers remains unchanged: they continue to engage in unlawful and disproportionate use of force, illegal detentions, and violations of the right to liberty during the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly. The use of such methods by the police is the result of a longstanding policy of impunity within the system, leading to the use of violent force becoming the main tool of the police. In conditions of public and political confrontation, the only way to prevent further tensions is the strict adherence to the principles of the rule of law and equal accountability before the law for all. Actions that violate human rights and exacerbate tensions or propagate hate speech must be avoided.

Letter of support to Georgian civil society

05.04.2024

With this letter we, Armenian civil society organizations and individuals, express our strong solidarity with you. We support you in your courage to stand against consistent and constant efforts by Georgia’s government to limit civic freedoms and fundamental human rights, including in the form of limiting the political participation of women, also by re-introducing the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. In the minds of people who remember the history of the 20th century, the concept of foreign influence is strongly associated with advancing conspiracy theories used for violations of human rights and prosecution of the innocent, from which both our nations suffered significantly. We trust that at the times, when democracy is being attacked from so many angles, it is even more important to unite pro-democratic forces and build firewalls against attempts of weakening it in our region and beyond.