Meeting with representatives from Armenian Civil Society Organisations

In attendance:

• Naira Sultanyan - Director, Democracy Development Foundation (DDF)

• Tatevik Khachatryan - Senior Program Manager, DDF

• Areg Kochinyan - Head, Research Centre on Security Policy

• Yervand Shirinyan - Leadership Member, Araminta

• Eka Iakobishvili - Advocacy Advisor, Open Society Foundations

• Nicole Piché – PHRG

• Jodie Goffe – PHRG

Summary:

Organisations

The PHRG met representatives of the following Armenian Civil Society Organisations to discuss their work, concerns and need for UK support:

• Democracy Development Foundation (DDF), a NFP with links to the Open Society Foundations, which aims to promote democracy, security, and human rights in the country.

• The Research Center on Security Policy (RCSP), an independent think tank focused on national and regional security policy.

• Araminta, an organisation supporting HRDs and CSOs across Eurasia.

• The Open Society Foundations, a global network which aims to promote vibrant and inclusive democracies, ensuring governments are accountable and open to all people.

Presentation of general context:

The political situation in Armenia is deemed better than that of its regional neighbours, with momentum to continue down the democratic path, though there is growing public dissatisfaction with PM Pashinyan’s Government, manifested in protests and calls for political change, and fuelled by the exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan’s armed takeover. Russian influence and an unreformed public sector remain concerns.

Specific concerns raised:

1) Migration: significant influx of refugees

• Since late September 2023, Armenia has received some 100,000 refugees – about 3% of its entire population, following Azerbaijan’s takeover of N-K. Many are in urgent need of shelter, food, medical assistance, and psychosocial support. The Armenian Government and international organisations, including the UNHCR, are coordinating efforts to support these refugees.

2) Russia and Georgia: nefarious influence

• The vulnerabilities of some refugee groups arriving in Armenia are believed to being weaponised to undermine the democratic trajectory and to promote Russian agendas.

3) Politics: underrepresentation of women

• There are reports of female political candidates being used as placeholders to meet gender quotas, only to resign once elected in favour of male politicians.

• The 2021 elections saw increased female participation, but women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions and in rural areas.

4) Policing: reform needed

• DDF play a key oversight role of the police, with a focus on building community policing.

• The UK Embassy in Armenia is helping to recruit women into the police force, but could be doing more to assist with police reform and facilitate engagement with police officials.

5) LGBTQIA+: severe discrimination, socially and institutionally

• Armenian society is generally conservative, with traditional family values and a strong influence from the Church.

• Homosexuality was decriminalised in 2003, however same-sex marriage is not recognised, and there are no laws addressing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals or hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

6) Soldiers: well-being and rights at risk

• The military grapples with serious issues in relation to soliders, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 N-K conflict, including poor mental health and PTSD, high suicide rates, and support for those disabled during the conflict.

• PoWs continue to be held by Azerbaijan, which undermines peace efforts. Allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

7) SLAPPs: against critics of mining operations

• Critics raising concerns about the operations of a mining company in which the Armenian Government has a stake are being face with SLAPP suits.

8) UK engagement: support needed

• The UK is missing opportunities to support Armenia in its democratic transition, with US and EU Embassies much more active.

• UK assistance would be welcomed to support:

  • an increase in women’s public participation, particularly in rural areas;

  • reform of the judiciary and anti-corruption initiatives;

  • ­reform of the police – building community policing and better training of riot police, preventing abuse and torture;

  • ­prevention and investigation of torture and abuse.

• Local CSOs should, of course, be closely involved in these efforts.