The Hayakve national civil group has proposed the creation of a nationwide public body to defend the Armenian Apostolic Church. The proposal was announced in a public statement released by the organization.

The group has also initiated a round-the-clock presence around the Mother See to conduct early warning and prevention efforts in case of possible provocations.

“The actions undertaken by Nikol Pashinyan to dismantle the hierarchical structure of the Armenian Church not only undermine the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia but also violate the fundamental religious freedoms of millions of Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora, and deeply offend their religious sentiments. Pashinyan has no right to act on behalf of the Republic of Armenia in proposing changes to the Church’s hierarchy—this is a gross violation of human rights and freedom of conscience, and a criminal offense.”

Citing risks of provocation and violence against the Church due to Pashinyan’s recent statements, the group said it has launched a monitoring presence at the Mother See.

“To defend the Armenian Church and the legal rights and religious freedoms of its millions of followers, a large-scale, multifaceted public effort is essential. We propose initiating consultations with one agenda: to create a national public body in Armenia to protect religious freedom and the Armenian Church. Its mission would be to counter and halt Pashinyan’s campaign to dismantle the Church and prevent potential civil unrest,” the statement read.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently posted on Facebook that it is necessary to “take active steps to liberate the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and organize new Catholicos elections.” He added that “a Coordinating Group must be established to manage organizational issues related to this agenda,” and stated he would take responsibility for selecting the first ten members of the group.