International legal expert Robert Amsterdam has raised concerns over what he describes as a systematic campaign by Armenian authorities against the Armenian Apostolic Church. In a recent statement, Amsterdam outlined three key areas of concern regarding government actions toward the religious institution.
According to the legal analysis, authorities have initiated judicial proceedings against church leadership that appear politically motivated rather than legally grounded. These cases, the expert contends, would not withstand scrutiny in impartial judicial systems.
The report further notes that public officials have engaged in efforts to undermine the Church’s standing through coordinated statements questioning its credibility and role in society. This public discrediting campaign represents a significant escalation in tensions between state and religious institutions.
Most alarmingly, these developments reportedly threaten constitutional protections for religious freedom. The documented actions potentially violate both domestic legal frameworks and Armenia’s international human rights commitments regarding freedom of belief and religious practice.
Legal observers suggest these developments warrant international attention given their implications for democratic norms and religious liberty in the country.
