Six Armenian Political Parties Submit Joint Letter to EU Leadership

Six Armenian political parties, members of the European political families, have today submitted a joint letter to the EU leadership, participants of the European Political Community summit to be held in Yerevan, and the leaders of their political families, raising concerns about the anti-democratic developments in Armenia, as well as the issues faced by our compatriots held in Azerbaijan and the population of Artsakh.

The authors of the letter include members of the European People’s Party, the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and the Heritage Party, members of the Socialist and Democrats, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), members of the European Conservatives and Reformists, Prosperous Armenia Party, members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the Armenian National Congress (ANC), and members of the European Free Alliance, the Democratic Party of Artsakh.

RPA Vice President Armen Ashotyann has shared the letter on his Facebook page:

"To the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, to the leaders of the European political families, and to the heads of state and governments participating in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan:

Your Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,

As representatives of Armenian political parties that are members or observers in your respective European political families and are jointly committed to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms, we address you with a sense of urgency and responsibility ahead of the upcoming summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan.

The Armenian government is actively "cultivating" an international image of democratic progress. However, this message is misleading. In reality, the administration of Nikol Pashinyan is consolidating power, weakening institutional checks and balances, and systematically using law enforcement and judicial systems against political opponents and clergy.

In this context, holding the ECP summit in Yerevan carries a dangerous political message that democratic backsliding can be ignored when it is politically convenient.

We urge you not to overlook the following realities:

1. Democratic Backsliding and Political Pressure: Armenia's democratic indicators have deteriorated, as reflected in assessments by Freedom House, Transparency International, and the V-Dem Institute. Judicial and law enforcement mechanisms are increasingly being used as political tools. Peaceful protests are restricted, and political activism faces threats and arrest.
2. Political Prisoners: More than 50 individuals are currently detained on politically motivated charges, and this number is growing. Continued silence on these matters threatens to normalize politically motivated imprisonment.
3. State Pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church: The government employs persecutions, lawsuits, travel bans, and ongoing political campaigns to bring the Armenian Apostolic Church under state control. Clergy members have been arrested on fabricated charges, bishops have been restricted from travel, and courts have been used to override ecclesiastical authority. Notably, the ruling "Civil Contract" party has explicitly included the removal of the Catholicos in its political agenda. This is not a policy dispute; it is an unconstitutional assault on a constitutionally protected institution.
4. Media Pressure and Erosion of Free Speech: Independent media outlets are increasingly being restricted. Journalists face physical assaults, threats, and deprivation of state resources. As a result, the space for free speech diminishes, and censorship increases.

We also take this opportunity to call on you to address issues concerning the realities created by the actions of the Azerbaijani government that seriously disrupt prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

5. Armenian Prisoners of War in Azerbaijan: According to official data, 19 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians remain in Azerbaijani custody, despite official contradictory claims. Reports of torture and staged trials continue. Meanwhile, the issue of missing persons remains unresolved. The absence of transparency and tangible progress further undermines public trust and raises serious humanitarian concerns.
6. Ethnic Cleansing in Artsakh and the Imperative of Return: The ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, which forcibly displaced its entire indigenous Armenian population, must not be silenced. The ongoing and systematic destruction of Armenian Christian spiritual and cultural heritage in the region is a continuous affront to civilizational values. International law unequivocally obliges Azerbaijan to guarantee the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of all displaced persons to their homeland—a duty that European leaders must actively defend.

Our message to European leaders is clear. This is a moment of political clarity. Engagement should not come at the expense of principles.

We urge you to:

• Publicly and unequivocally demand the release of all political prisoners in Armenia and the Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan.
• Speak clearly against the pressures on the Armenian Apostolic Church and restrictions on media freedom.
• Ensure balanced engagement by meeting with opposition forces, independent civil society, and representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The credibility of your commitment to European democratic values is at stake. We call on you to act accordingly, to cease hypocrisy, and to defend democracy."