Rights group: PM’s church stance unconstitutional

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Initiative of Five Human Rights Defenders issued a statement responding to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent post claiming the Republic of Armenia should have a decisive say in the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

The group stated that the post itself constitutes a preparation for the overthrow of constitutional order, as the Church’s separation from the state is a core principle of Armenia’s constitutional framework.

They condemned what they described as a “two-day assault” on the Armenian Apostolic Church and its leaders, which they said culminated in a post effectively expressing an intent to seize control of the Church.

“We declare that this statement represents preparation for the overthrow of the constitutional order, because the separation of the Church from the state is one of its foundational principles. Therefore, this individual has committed a grave criminal act punishable under law.”

However, the group said it would not file a criminal complaint, citing a lack of trust in state institutions, which they believe act as political servants.

They urged all citizens of Armenia, especially members of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to take all possible measures to defend the constitutional order and the national Church.

Pashinyan wrote: “The Republic of Armenia must have a decisive voice in the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Candidates for Catholicos must undergo a moral integrity screening. This issue must be resolved once and for all.”