Political Council Statement of 17 Parties Operating in Armenia

On the very first day of the war, under the pretext of confronting Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression, the Armenian government declared a state of emergency in the country. This decision included several restrictions, particularly banning gatherings and publications criticizing the actions of local self-government bodies and officials.

On November 10 of this year, Prime Minister Pashinyan signed a fateful act for the Armenian people, which was inherently a capitulatory agreement and rightfully met with resistance and outrage from the Armenian public. Despite the fact that the capitulatory agreement signed by Pashinyan removed the basis for the above-mentioned restrictions related to the declaration of martial law, the ruling authorities not only did not lift those restrictions but also used them as tools to silence critics and apply repression against them.

As a result of the arbitrary actions of law enforcement agencies, leaders of the political opposition and many representatives of the public are subjected to persecution and mass arrests. A situation of de facto dictatorship has been established in the country.

However, courts have already confirmed that the arrests carried out under the legal regime of martial law are unlawful.

We demand that the Armenian authorities immediately lift the state of emergency, allowing the public to freely express their positions. Until then, we request that law enforcement agencies adhere to the constitutional right guaranteed to ensure peaceful gatherings without hindrance and put an end to the rampant political persecution.

Political Council of 17 Parties
The statement is open for joining.