‘Stop making democracy selective,’ Armenian protesters tell von der Leyen

At a rally held outside the Armenian government building on Thursday, Anna Kostanyan, a board member of the Hayakve civic initiative, read out a letter addressed to visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The full text of the letter is provided below.

“Ms. Ursula von der Leyen,

The European Union itself is built upon unwavering adherence to the fundamental values: respect for human dignity, the rule of law, political pluralism, and the protection of fundamental rights.

You have arrived in Yerevan from Baku, where you spoke about a bright future in the South Caucasus. Today, you are here to support Armenia’s democratic development, economic cooperation, infrastructure modernization, energy resilience, and regional peace and stability. This is quite touching, however, we, the citizens of Armenia, expect from Europe not just statements, but political consistency and genuine commitment to the values it proclaims—and not double standards.

Today, Armenia is experiencing a serious deterioration of democratic standards. Opposition civil activists, political leaders, and public figures are increasingly subjected to criminal prosecution that is widely perceived as politically motivated. Armenian prisons now hold an unprecedented number of political prisoners. Opposition politicians and government critics face criminal charges under what we describe as a system of selective justice. The recent detention of HayaQve National Civil Union Coordinator Avetik Chalabyan is yet another indication that political competition in Armenia is becoming increasingly dangerous, where political thoughts are suppressed, voices are silenced, and equal opportunities for political actions are being undermined.

You should be concerned that under a government presented as Europe’s partner, opposition figures are being imprisoned just because of their political views or civic activities. Has any European delegation visited these political detainees in recent years? In 2008, such visits were freely taken place. Why is Europe silent today? What has changed?

It is equally unacceptable that the European Union continues to provide unconditional political support to Armenia’s current non-legitimate authorities while disregarding widespread public concerns about human rights violations, politically motivated prosecutions, restrictions on freedom of _expression_, and the findings of local and international human rights organizations and election observation missions. At this very moment, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia is still reviewing legal challenges filed by opposition political parties concerning the results of the recent parliamentary elections. Nevertheless, several EU Member States have already rushed to congratulate recent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his unconditional victory. What is this, if not disrespect towards Armenia’s constitutional institutions and its citizens? It creates external political legitimization while the country’s highest constitutional authority has yet to deliver its final judgment.

You have come to Armenia from Baku, where you met with your other partner, Ilham Aliyev. For years, international organizations have documented political prisoners and repression against opposition voices in Azerbaijan. You are also undoubtedly aware that for more than 1,000 days, the political leadership of Artsakh, along with other Armenian civilians, has remained imprisoned in Azerbaijan, deprived of fundamental guarantees of due process and the right to a fair trial. At the same time, politically motivated prosecutions are taking place in Armenia against Armenian citizens. The result is deeply troubling: two governments that the European Union engages with are going through anti-democratic practices, undermining the very democratic values that Europe publicly advocates.

The European Union must not apply double standards to different countries. If human rights are truly a European value, they must be defended consistently, regardless of temporary political interests or favorable geopolitical calculations. The European Union frequently warns about the dangers of external interference in Armenia’s political processes. Yet the substantial financial assistance provided immediately before the elections, together with high-level political support for Armenia’s recent authorities, is widely and publicly perceived as a direct form of external political intervention. If foreign interference is unacceptable, then that principle must apply equally to everyone, including the European Union, regardless of where such influence originates.

The citizens of Armenia do not expect Europe to support any particular government. They expect Europe to support the Republic of Armenia, its democracy, an independent judiciary, free and fair elections, and genuine political pluralism. If the European Union, under your leadership, wishes to remain a true union of values, then today you must have the courage to raise these questions directly with your partner, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. These are the questions of Armenian citizens and political forces. Recognize that your political support has had consequences. It risks strengthening a government that is guilty for restricting freedom of _expression_, undermining political competition, and weakening democratic institutions.

STOP MAKING DEMOCRACY SELECTIVE!

European values cannot be defended only where it’s politically convenient or economically favorable.”