John Eibner (left) and Joel Veldkamp (right) of CSI at the press conference in Yerevan. csi
MEDIA RELEASE
Message to fellow faith leaders, particularly Evangelicals and Catholics: ‘Silence is not an option’
Christian Solidarity International (CSI), an interconfessional Christian human rights organization, visited Armenia from November 13-17. During their visit, CSI International President Dr. John Eibner and Director of Advocacy Dr. Joel Veldkamp met with religious leaders, human rights lawyers, and political leaders to assess mounting concerns over religious freedom and government interference in church affairs.
Key findings and takeaways
During the visit, CSI was not granted permission to visit detained clergy and supporters of the Armenian Apostolic Church by the Ministry of Justice, a development that Veldkamp described in a Saturday press conference as irregular.
CSI further notes that in the weeks preceding its visit, two relatives of the Armenian Catholicos, two defense lawyers, and the elected mayor of Armenia’s second-largest city were detained, and a second mayor representing the opposition Country for Living party was murdered.
The CSI delegation also bore witness to an escalating government crackdown on free media, including the detention of two podcasters and a journalist by masked internal security officers on the day of their arrival, as well as a call by ruling party lawmakers to confiscate the Union of Journalists’ building, which was issued just as Eibner was being hosted for an interview in that very building.
On day one of Armenia’s inaugural Prayer Breakfast, CSI observed that Armenia’s national church was largely sidelined from the event. The sole senior representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, used the platform he was given to highlight the detention of his fellow clergy members.
Those concerns were echoed on a religious freedom panel by Dr. Asif Mahmood, who serves as Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Speaking in his personal capacity, Mahmood called for the release of these clergy.
At the end of its visit, CSI hosted a press conference, during which Eibner noted the organization’s historic attention to and solidarity with the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, dating back to the 1990s.
Those efforts continue today, and he noted the organization’s support for the Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh, which was created to provide a platform for representatives of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh to be represented in talks with the government of Azerbaijan regarding their right of return, protection of spiritual heritage, and security guarantees.
This platform is especially necessary given that the current prime minister of Armenia considers the Nagorno Karabakh issue “closed.”
“One of Azerbaijan’s key conditions for peace is that the Armenian Apostolic Church, which has historically stood in solidarity with the people of Nagorno Karabakh, should cease to do so,” Eibner added.
Asked by the media whether he believed the current U.S.-mediated “peace” process between Azerbaijan and Armenia was genuine, Eibner echoed the prophet Jeremiah: “They say peace, peace, when there is no peace.”
Veldkamp briefed reporters on the domestic situation for religious freedom and human rights in Armenia:
“We are profoundly disturbed by what we have witnessed during our visit to Armenia,” he said. “We are particularly alarmed by the Pashinyan government’s intrusion into the affairs of one of the world’s oldest churches.”
“We see a progression in the state’s campaign against the church,” Veldkamp said, “from verbal attacks on the church from senior government officials, to arrests of prominent supporters of the church, to arrests of clergy, to arrests of the lawyers of the clergy, to the arrests of family members of clergy.”
Veldkamp highlighted the work that local Armenian human rights groups have done to document and bring attention to the government’s weaponization of the judicial system against the church and other domestic opponents. He cited especially an October 19 statement signed by 17 different Armenian human rights NGOs, and a November 5 report from the Armenian Center for Political Rights.
He concluded with a message to fellow faith leaders seeking to support Armenia: “Foreign Christians, particularly Evangelicals and Catholics, must not allow themselves to be used by the state to undermine Armenia’s historic church.”
“Silence is not an option,” he added.
The full video recording of the press conference can be found in English with Armenian translation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uTCz89QITzQ
Activities and meetings
The CSI delegation conducted extensive consultations with key stakeholders in Armenia:
- CivilNet – Interviewed by leading multilingual Armenian news platform at start of visit to highlight CSI’s work and concerns over religious freedom in Armenia;
- His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians – Received audience at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to discuss protection of Armenia and the spiritual heritage and people of Artsakh, and to express support for the national church;
- Narek Karapetyan – Met with the nephew of detained Armenian Apostolic Church benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, who is leading the ‘Our Way’ political movement, to discuss his uncle’s case and broader religious freedom concerns;
- Dr. Asif Mahmood – Met with Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to discuss issues of common concern and venues for cooperation;
- Republic of Armenia Prayer Breakfast – Attended two-day summit featuring speeches by Bishop Daniel Findikyan, U.S. faith leaders, and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan;
- Union of Journalists – Met with Satik Seyranyan, President of Armenia’s journalists’ union to discuss the state of media freedoms and venues for assistance in raising critical human rights violations;
- 168 Hours – Interviewed by Armenian news outlet to raise concerns over existential threats facing Armenia as assessed by CSI;
- Armenian Center for Political Rights – Held consultations on human rights situation, charges against the detained clergy, and venues for cooperation;
- Protestant Church in Armenia – Attended a local church service and fellowship;
- Diocese of Artsakh – Consulted with Archbishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan on situation of Artsakh’s displaced people, protection of religious sites, and pastoral care needs;
- Father Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Chaplain of Yerablur Military Pantheon – Met with former Abbot of Dadivank Monastery to discuss pastoral care, heritage protection, and opportunities for assisting in programs benefitting the orphans of Artsakh.
Recommendations and next steps
CSI is calling on the Armenian government to:
- Release the imprisoned clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, its lay patron Samvel Karapetyan, and other individuals detained in connection with their support of the church or legitimate political activities.
- Cease public attacks against the spiritual leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
- Respect the autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as guaranteed in Armenia’s constitution and international human rights law.
- Cease attacks on the press and release detained journalists.
CSI is calling on foreign governments, international human rights groups, and faith leaders engaged in Armenia to:
- Visit and attend court hearings of detained Armenian Apostolic Church clergy and lay members, as well as media professionals, lawyers, and other civil society activists detained in relation to their religious and political stances.
- Intervene with the Armenian government for an end to the campaign of arrests and harassment against the Church and political dissenters.
- Publicly condemn gross human rights violations taking place in Armenia.
CSI will continue to press for access to detained clergy and supporters of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as to advocate for religious freedom and the rule of law in Armenia, the right of the people of Artsakh to return to their homeland, and for freedom for the 23 Armenian hostages held by Azerbaijan.
Media coverage
The delegation’s visit and message received significant media attention, garnering thousands of views on leading media outlets, associated social media channels, and shares among the general public:
- CivilNet:
- VIDEO INTERVIEW: ‘Exploring why the world’s first Christian nation is jailing its own bishops
- ARTICLE: ‘Christian group denied access to jailed Armenian clergy, warns of “Russian-influence” smear used to justify crackdown’
- Channel 5:
- VIDEO REPORT: ‘Armenia Faces Threat: Prayer Breakfast Participant Condemns Anti-Church Campaign’
- Hrabarak:
- EDITORIAL: ‘They Came Not to Pray, But to Assess the Situation’
- The Christian Post:
- ARTICLE: ‘Evangelicals offer praise for Armenia PM after he recites Bible at prayer breakfast amid church tensions’
- Christianity Today:
- ARTICLE: ‘Armenia Holds Inaugural Prayer Breakfast Amid Church Arrests’
- Tribune:
- 168 Hours:
- [WAITING FOR INTERVIEW RELEASE]
About CSI
Christian Solidarity International is an international human rights group campaigning for religious liberty and human dignity.
Contact: Joel Veldkamp | [email protected]
