Statement of Armenian Civil Society on Inappropriate Conduct and Rhetoric by the Prime Minister

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, consider unacceptable and condemn the conduct and rhetoric of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, during a conversation on 22 March 2026 with a woman forcibly displaced from Artsakh. This behaviour constitutes not only a violation of the standards of conduct expected of a public official, but also reflects intolerance and hate speech towards Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

In particular, on 22 March 2026, while conducting a campaign activity in the Yerevan Metro, Nikol Pashinyan approached a woman travelling with her child and offered them a badge depicting the map of the Republic of Armenia. The woman refused, stating that they were from Artsakh and had a different map. During the conversation, Nikol Pashinyan raised his voice and addressed the woman while gesturing at her in a reprimanding manner. Moreover, after the woman requested that he not raise his voice or speak in such a manner, the Prime Minister stated that he would continue to speak that way, reproached her by saying that millions from the Armenian state budget had been spent to sustain Armenians in Artsakh, and added: “Next time, you runaways, don’t try to say that I gave away Karabakh’.

Furthermore, in the video it can be heard that the woman expressed her wish not to continue the conversation and asked not to be filmed together with her child; however, both the conversation and the filming continued. Other representatives of the ruling party, as well as the Prime Minister’s security personnel, were present during the incident.

It should be stated that the Prime Minister of the country always acts in his official capacity, which is perceived as embodying public authority; therefore, such conduct may be assessed as psychological violence against the woman. It is particularly concerning that the exchange took place in the presence of the woman’s child. The child not only witnessed such behaviour towards his mother, but was also directly involved in a political campaign. We find it unacceptable as it shapes future generations’ perceptions of power, the quality of speech, and interpersonal relations. This incident also sends a broader signal to society, legitimising violence and polarisation, which, regrettably, tends to intensify in the pre-election period.

Although the Prime Minister later issued an apology, his rhetoric had already triggered another wave of hatred and targeting against people from Artsakh, particularly on social media. Moreover, the spread of hate speech was further fuelled by an article published by the media outlet www.civic.am, affiliated with the ruling Civic Contract party, which aimed to discredit the woman from Artsakh. Regrettably, such expressions of hate speech, targeting, and offensive rhetoric towards Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh are not isolated, including statements by public officials such as Prime Minister Pashinyan and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan.

Considering that the behaviour of public authorities, particularly senior officials, influences different segments of society and spreads beyond social media into broader public relations, such conduct is especially unacceptable and alarming, as it leads to increased polarisation, undermines social cohesion, and results in the re-victimisation of the forcibly displaced population.

The phenomenon of intolerance and hate speech against Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh, especially on social media, constitutes a serious problem. Not only are effective measures being taken against it , but such rhetoric is also shaped and encouraged by representatives of public authority.

Given the vulnerability of forcibly displaced persons, public officials—particularly those holding high office—are obliged to demonstrate the utmost restraint and sensitivity in their communication, ensuring respect for human dignity. We recall that public speech containing hate, discrimination, intolerance, or hostility may, depending on intent, constitute elements of a criminal offence.

The Armenian population of Artsakh has been subjected to ethnic cleansing and forced displacement by Azerbaijan, which formed part of a deliberate state policy implemented through a comprehensive strategy aimed at removing the ethnic Armenian population and historical-cultural presence from Nagorno-Karabakh. This policy has been accompanied by prolonged and grave violations of the rights and freedoms of the population of Artsakh, as well as serious war crimes.

The ongoing policy of intimidation against the population of Artsakh, the prolonged blockade, and the military attack of 19 September 2023 marked the culmination of this policy, rendering impossible the safe and dignified life of the population and resulting in mass forced displacement.Violations in the territory of Artsakh still continue in the form of erasure of Armenian cultural and historical presence, including the planned or already executed destruction of Armenian cultural monuments, churches, cemeteries, and residential areas.

In light of the above, we call on the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, and in particular Prime Minister Pashinyan, to:

• Refrain from and exclude the use of rhetoric that spreads hatred and intolerance, or contains discrimination and insult, including through social media and affiliated media outlets which leads to both deepening the polarisation of society and further intensification of the political situation;
• Ensure accountability for individuals who express and disseminate hate speech against forcibly displaced persons from Artsakh;
• Exercise restraint in public speech and adhere to the ethical standards and rules of conduct of public officials;
• Ensure that public officials and media outlets moderate hate speech in posts and comments on their social media platforms;
• More broadly, guarantee respect for human rights and ensure the implementation of the rule of law in the Republic of Armenia, including the protection of the right to privacy.

Protection of Rights Without Borders NGO

New Justice Culture NGO

Armenian Progressive Youth

Public Journalism Club

Yerevan Press Club

Media Diversity Institute

Regional Centre for Democracy and Security

Community Mobilisation and Support Centre NGO

Helsinki Association for Human Rights NGO

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Armenian Committee

Asparez Journalists’ Club

For Equal Rights NGO

Media Initiatives Centre

Ecolur Information NGO

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Centre

Law Development and Protection Foundation