Ahead of European Summit in Yerevan, Six Parties Raise Concern About Democratic Regression, Artsakh Prisoners

Ahead of a European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, which kicks off on May 4, six political parties in Armenia have appealed to top European Union leadership, raising concerns about anti-democratic developments in Armenia, as well as issues related to Armenians being held captive in Azerbaijan and the situation surrounding the displaced Artsakh Armenians.

The letter was addressed to President of the European Council António Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, as well as other European leaders and heads of state who will be taking part in the summit.

The letter was signed by the Republican Party of Armenia, Heritage Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Prosperous Armenia Party, Armenian National Congress, and the Artsakh Democratic Party (a member of the European Free Alliance).

Below is the full text of the letter.

Your Excellencies,
Dear colleagues,
As representatives of Armenian political parties that are members or observers within your respective European political families—bound together by a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms—we address you ahead of the EPC Summit in Yerevan with urgency and responsibility.

The Armenian government is actively cultivating an international image of democratic progress. This narrative is misleading. On the ground, the administration of Nikol Pashinyan is consolidating power, weakening institutional checks and balances, and systematically using law enforcement and judiciary against political opponents and clergymen.

Under these conditions, hosting the EPC Summit in Yerevan risks sending a dangerous political signal that democratic backsliding can be overlooked when it is politically convenient.

We urge you not to ignore the following realities:

1. Democratic Backsliding and Political Repression Armenia’s democratic indicators have deteriorated, as reflected in assessments by Freedom House, Transparency International and V-Dem Institute. Judicial and law enforcement mechanisms are increasingly used as political tools. Peaceful protests are curtailed, and political activism is met with intimidation and detention.
2. Political Prisoners There are more than 50 individuals detained on politically motivated charges, and the number is growing. Continued silence on these cases risks normalising politically motivated imprisonment.
3. State Pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church The government is using prosecutions, court action, travel bans, and a sustained political campaign to subordinate the Armenian Apostolic Church to state control. Clergy have been detained on fabricated charges, bishops restricted from travel, and secular courts deployed to override ecclesiastical authority. Most telling: the ruling Civil Contract party has explicitly included the removal of the Catholicos in its political programme. This is not a policy dispute — it is an unconstitutional assault on a constitutionally protected institution.
4. Media Pressure and Erosion of Free Expression Independent media is increasingly constrained. Journalists face physical attacks, intimidation, and exclusion from state resources. The result is a shrinking space for free expression and growing censorship.
   We also use this opportunity to urge you to address issues related to the realities created by actions of the Azerbaijani Government, which severely undermine prospects of the establishment of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan
5. Armenian POWs in Azerbaijani Custody According to official numbers 19 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians remain in Azerbaijani detention, despite official claims to the contrary. Reports of torture and staged trials persist. At the same time, the issue of missing persons remains unresolved. The lack of transparency and tangible progress on this issue further undermines public trust and raises grave humanitarian concerns.
6. Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh and the Imperative of Return The ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, which forcibly displaced its entire indigenous Armenian population, must not be consigned to silence. The ongoing and systematic destruction of Armenian Christian spiritual and cultural heritage in the region is a continuing affront to civilised values. International law unequivocally obliges Azerbaijan to guarantee a safe, voluntary, and dignified return of all displaced persons to their homeland — an obligation that European leaders must actively champion.

Our Message to European Leaders is clear.

This is a moment of political clarity. Engagement must not come at the cost of principles.

We call on you to:

• Publicly and unequivocally demand the release of all political prisoners in Armenia and Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan.
• Speak out clearly against pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church and restrictions on media freedom.
• Ensure balanced engagement by meeting with representatives of opposition forces, independent civil society and Armenian Apostolic Church;
  The credibility of Europe’s commitment to democratic values is at stake. We urge you to act accordingly: to stop the hypocrisy and to stand for democracy.

EPP members Republican Party of Armenia
Heritage party
PES member Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Prosperous Armenia party
ALDE member Armenian National Congress
EFA member Democratic Party of Artsakh