A joint statement by the heads of media and journalistic organisations in Armenia urges foreign diplomatic missions and international bodies accredited in the Republic of Armenia to act. The statement says that under the leadership and with the participation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the current authorities have recently begun systematically targeting the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church by employing hateful speech and defamatory content.
It warns that “the provocation by Pashinyan and the former cleric trying to seize the Church could lead to civil disastrous clashes.” The statement emphasises that although the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is separated from the state by the Constitution, the direct and open involvement of state officials in ecclesiastical life effectively exceeds their authority, grossly violating the country’s Constitution and existing laws.
Under the “Law on Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church”, Article 2, paragraph 2 the State recognises the Church’s right to self‑governance within its spiritual jurisdiction. Similarly, Article 17, paragraph 1(b) of the “Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations” clearly states that the Church is separated from the State, and the State has no competence to interfere in its lawful activity or internal structure. From this it follows that the authorities have no right to intervene in the change of the Catholicos or similar internal processes of the Church.
The propaganda stream led by the authorities against the Church and senior clergy has been accompanied not only by violations of legal norms but also by gross breaches of public morality and tradition — deepening the division within society. The regime, established in 2018 and practising a policy of dividing society into “black and white”, is now attempting to extend that division to the faithful community — making no distinction in its actions. Pashinyan often tries to present his illegal and anti‑church conduct as an expression of faith, under the guise of being a “church‑faithful follower”, which in fact serves to mask the overstepping of his powers, the statement says.
It notes that hostile rhetoric directed at the Church is a serious threat to internal national harmony. The arbitrary arrests of several senior clerics in recent weeks and months show that this campaign continues, and in the coming days may acquire more dangerous forms. The Church‑declared “defrocked” cleric, now declaring himself a supporter of the authorities, Stepan Asatryan (formerly Father Aram Kahana Asatryan), announced that on 26 October he will hold a liturgy in Hovhannavank Monastery, stating he expects the presence of 10,000 people. According to the statement, the Prime Minister is also expected to participate in that event.
Previously Pashinyan publicly and harshly declared his intention to “liberate the Catholicosate”. There are suspicions that this gathering on 26 October initiated by Asatryan may serve as the start of a large‑scale event directed against the Church, inciting a new wave of hatred and enmity. The actions of Pashinyan and the defrocked cleric are regarded as a planned provocation that could lead to serious societal clashes, taking into account that the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church’s thousands of followers may organize to defend their Church.
Given that the authorities currently lack any institutional counterbalance and control the entire law enforcement and power system, it is possible that, for achieving political interests, they may resort to risky and irresponsible actions — bringing irreversible consequences. These events sharply contradict the principles of a legal and democratic state. They threaten freedom of conscience, religion and speech—guaranteed by both the Constitution and international treaties. Ignoring the situation may lead to absolutely dangerous civil confrontations.
We, hundreds of believers and followers of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, cannot remain indifferent to these developments. When our spiritual fathers — whose sermons we heard and before whom we were baptised — are subjected to pressure, arrested and humiliated, it offends not only them but our dignity. This is a blow to our faith, conscience and freedom of expression.
Having considered that in this anti‑church campaign the authorities are violating both the fundamental principles of the constitutional order and numerous international norms on human rights protection, we, the undersigned editors‑in‑chief of media outlets and journalistic organisations, call on the foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited in the Republic of Armenia to use all available means to prevent the threat of public clashes. We ask them to urge the authorities to stop this practice of dividing society and to respect both the special role of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church enshrined in the Constitution and the freedom of speech, conscience, religion and belief.” — the statement says.
The statement was signed by: Satik Seyranian, President of the Journalists’ Union of Armenia; Shavarsh Gevorgyan, Head of the “Lraber” news programme for H2 TV; Armenika Kiviryan, Editor‑in‑Chief of News.am ; Aram Abrahamian, Editor‑in‑Chief of Aravot newspaper; Narek Galstyan, Director of 24News; Harutyun Harutyunyan, Director of “5th Channel” TV; Boris Murazin, Editor of Politik.am; Sevak K. Hakobyan, Editor of the Lebanese newspaper Zartonk; Sona Truzian, Editor of FactInfo website; Zhanna Tsarukyan, Editor‑in‑Chief of LiveNews.am ; Paylak Fahradyan, Editor of Irakalyum.am website; Piruza Meliksetyan, Editor‑in‑Chief of Irates.am; Ani Gevorgyan, Editor of Newday.am ; Vahagn Boyajyan, Director of MediaHub; Tatev Ayvazyan, Editor‑in‑Chief of ArmDay.am ; Bagrat Yesayan, Director of Yerkir Media; Arkadi Grigoryan, Editor‑in‑Chief of Tert.am ; Gevorg Emin‑Teryan, Editor‑in‑Chief of Oragir.News; Anahit Voskanian, Editor of Panorama; Vahe Sargsyan, Editor‑in‑Chief of Yerkir.am; Karen Antinian, Editor of Blognews.am ; Sevak Hakobyan, Editor of Yerevan.Today.
