Oppostion "With Honor" bloc submits draft statement to Armenian  Parliament "on the situation in relations between the state and the  Armenian Church."

ArmInfo. National Assembly Member Tigran Abrahamyan, from the opposition "With Honor" faction, presented a draft statement "on the situation in relations between the state and the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC)" during  parliamentary hearings.

The parliamentary hearings began with a moment of silence to mark the  10th anniversary of the four-day April War in Artsakh. The hearings  were convened to discuss the current situation in the country,  particularly in light of the Armenian authorities' attacks on the  AAC. The opposition figure emphasized that the crisis in relations  between the Armenian authorities and the Armenian Church is not only  dangerous but also requires a broader analysis. "This isn't just  about the anti-national actions of the Armenian authorities and their  touching on sensitive issues, but also about where the government's  authority ends. This raises questions about whether the law in our  country functions as a certain feature or as a tool. Ultimately, this  concerns the security of Armenian citizens, regardless of whether  they are followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church or not,"  Abrahamyan noted.

According to the opposition leader, the government's interference in  the internal affairs of the Armenian Church, the arrest of clergy for  defending the homeland or for expressing their position, demonstrates  the lack of a deterrent mechanism that would prevent the crossing of  red lines that bring the country closer to the point of no return.  "Recently, numerous situations have arisen that raise questions about  the boundaries in the relationship between the Armenian Apostolic  Church and the authorities. We are seeing statements and decisions  that allow state bodies, including courts and law enforcement  agencies, to interfere in the internal affairs of the Church. This is  no longer a technical or procedural issue, but a matter of the  principle of the rule of law," the MP noted. As Abrahamyan noted, the  crux of the problem lies in the fact that the Armenian Church, like  any religious structure, has its own internal canons and  decision-making rules. In this context, he said, the government has  the right to monitor compliance with laws in the country, but it has  no right to change the decision-making mechanisms within the Church  or dictate who should perform church services and how church bodies  should operate, as reflected in the draft statement submitted by  their faction.

The opposition member also pointed out to another sensitive issue:  interference in church rites. The statement, as the MP noted, raises  the question of whether a civil servant or the state system can  influence the conduct of church rites, including which names should  be mentioned in liturgies. "Our stance on this issue is clear: the  state cannot interfere in church affairs, as this violates the  constitutional principle of neutrality, and thus the authorities are  essentially encroaching on territory that is not under their  control," Abrahamyan noted. At the same time, as the deputy noted,  the draft statement is not limited to simply recording concerns about  current events but also proposes a number of practical solutions. 

First and foremost, he stated, is the need to ensure legal  transparency, which implies the existence of clear, publicly  accessible standards for investigative and law enforcement agencies  regarding religious freedom.  "Secondly, there is a need for  international legal advice. The program proposes contacting the  Venice Commission for a professional opinion on the limits of  government intervention in matters of the Church's internal  governance and on the criteria that courts and other authorities  should follow in such situations," the deputy continued.

The third proposal, Abrahamyan noted, concerns the depolarization of  the justice system. The MP clarified that this means that in highly  publicized cases, the criteria of judicial independence and  extrajudicial investigation must be even more strictly adhered to. He  stated that society must be confident that no case will be used as a  means of pressure or an impetus to change the internal affairs of any  institution.

Finally, the fourth and final point, as the opposition member noted,  addresses the role of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia in these  matters. Abrahamyan stated that when it comes to religious freedom,  it is necessary not only to document the problem but also to assess  the risks and propose steps to prevent further interference. "Today,  all of this is important for Armenia's future. Because if we accept  that the government can overstep its authority, then tomorrow, by the  same logic, the same thing could happen to another structure, group,  or even individual, which is no longer uncommon these days. The rule  of law is essential precisely in such cases-not only when everything  is calm, but also when tensions arise and the temptation arises to  resolve issues not through law, but through force. The state is  obligated to respect the self- governance of religious organizations.  We are not alone in speaking about the exceptional role of the  Armenian Apostolic Church; this is also enshrined in the Constitution  of Armenia. And if we can convey a message to Armenian society, it  would be this: in the Republic of Armenia, no one can stand above the  Constitution; no state structure has the right to overstep the  boundaries established by it. Freedom to all clergy who are currently  imprisoned!" Abrahamyan concluded.

It should be noted that, according to the Constitution of Armenia,  the Armenian Apostolic Church is separate from the state and has a  special mission. However, since May of this year, the country's  authorities have been pursuing an active anti-church policy and  seeking the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,  who was elected to this position posthumously. This campaign has  targeted both clergy and citizens who support the Church. To date,  four high-ranking clergy have been imprisoned on trumped-up charges  as part of this anti-church campaign.