Headline:
ARF Bureau Member Lilit Galstyan Harshly Criticizes Armenian Authorities Over Human Rights Situation

In the longer text, I would identify her this way on first reference:

On August 18, the National Assembly of Armenia discussed the nomination for chair of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs.

The opposition “Armenia” faction nominated ARF Bureau member and MP Lilit Galstyan for the position. In her remarks, Galstyan devoted most of her speech to the human rights situation in Armenia, sharply criticizing the authorities. She addressed political persecution, political prisoners, the independence of the judiciary, police conduct, and what she described as increasing government interference in fundamental institutions.

She argued that the current situation in Armenia bears little resemblance to that of a state governed by the rule of law and democratic principles. To support her assessment, Galstyan cited reports by international human rights organizations, including Freedom House, saying that they have also documented serious concerns regarding democracy and human rights in Armenia.

Speaking about judicial independence, Galstyan referred to the case of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, describing it as an attempt to silence political opponents.

“There is a clear intention to silence and demonize political opponents, fabricated grounds, and a violation of the presumption of innocence,” she said.

The ARF Bureau member also addressed developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church, accusing the authorities of interfering in Church affairs. She argued that the government had adopted an unconstitutional approach by attempting to influence or determine who should lead the Church.

Galstyan also cited criminal prosecutions and arrests of opposition figures during election periods as examples of what she characterized as political pressure. She named Samvel Karapetyan, Avetik Chalabyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, and Igor Sargsyan, a member of the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia, arguing that such cases had also affected the political and electoral environment.

Turning to the work of the police, Galstyan said an “atmosphere of impunity” continues to prevail within the system. She noted that through 2025, no police officer had been held accountable for unlawful actions against peaceful demonstrators, violence against opposition MPs, or the illegal use of stun grenades.

Galstyan further stated that, if elected to chair the committee, one of her priorities would be the protection of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, placing the issue among the key human rights matters she intends to raise through the parliamentary committee.

This article was originally published in Aztag Daily.