Human Rights Defender Issues Statement on Current Situation

The office of the Human Rights Defender has issued a statement. Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan is closely monitoring the information circulating in mass media and social networks regarding the situation created at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which she finds concerning from the perspective of public solidarity.

The state authority plays an exceptionally important role in regulating public life. At the same time, the Armenian Apostolic Church has a crucial role in ensuring the rights of many citizens regarding their conscience and freedom of religion.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that both the maintenance of public order and the guarantee of religious freedoms are only possible in the presence of public solidarity. Therefore, the Defender calls for the utmost restraint and urges that the arising issues be resolved with mutual respect, respecting the values of the rule of law, while keeping in mind the essential nature of public solidarity and tolerance.

Further escalation of the situation could lead to irreparable consequences, and this fact must be recognized by all.