International Journalism Organizations Call on Armenian Authorities

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have joined the Armenian Journalists' Union (AJU) in demanding that the Armenian authorities reconsider the law restricting freedom of speech. This information was published on the AJU's Facebook page.

On October 5, 2021, a new law went into effect in Armenia that raised the maximum fines for 'insult' and 'defamation.' IFJ Secretary-General Anthony Bellanger stated that they stand with the AJU against a law that has a clear political purpose and will have dramatic consequences for the press and media workers.

EFJ Secretary-General Ricardo Gutierrez pointed out that such high fines are used to intimidate and silence journalists. 'We strongly call on the Armenian authorities to revise the legislation through dialogue with our colleagues,' he emphasized.

The National Assembly adopted the law on defamation in March 2021, after a Facebook user commented under a picture of the Prime Minister, which was deemed offensive. This month, the Constitutional Court of Armenia deemed the law to be in accordance with the Constitution. The compensation for defamation has been set at up to 6 million drams, and for insult, up to 3 million drams.

The law was sent to the Constitutional Court after Armenian President Armen Sarkissian refused to sign it, citing concerns about its constitutionality and potential impact on press freedom. The AJU has also issued a statement saying that the law clearly restricts the right to freedom of speech, which is one of the most important pillars of democracy and a fundamental condition for the development and self-expression of every individual.