PRWB at the Armenian Democratic Security Forum

Anna Melikyan, PRWB Projects Coordinator and Legal Expert, participated in the Third Annual Armenian Democratic Security Forum held on February 17.

The forum, organized by the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, brought together key stakeholders to discuss pressing internal challenges facing Armenia.

During the third panel discussion, dedicated to the rule of law, media, and elections, Anna Melikyan spoke as a panelist. She highlighted the selective application of criminal justice instruments observed in 2025, particularly in cases involving clergy members and in the context of the exercise of freedom of expression. Concerns were raised about the use of pre-trial detention as a punitive measure and as a tool to induce behavior aligned with the expectations of public authorities. The importance of safeguarding guarantees aimed at ensuring judicial independence was emphasized as a fundamental prerequisite for preventing arbitrariness and selective justice.

The panel also addressed issues related to the transparency of political party financing, information attacks against Armenia and the infrastructure supporting them.