Category: News

Armenia’s Declaration of Independence adopted on August 23, 1990

Armenia’s Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan argued on Monday that the country’s Declaration of Independence, which is referenced in the current constitution, is “outdated,” saying the new Constitution should reflect Armenia’s present-day realities and its goals of preserving peace, strengthening sovereignty and ensuring the country’s long-term development.

The Declaration of the Independence has been the basis for Armenia—and most countries’—constitution for more than three decades and it is referenced in the current document, which President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan is forcing Armenia to change, because of its references to Artsakh.

Galyan told reporters that there are no plans to unite Artsakh with Armenia and the objectives set out in the country’s 1990 Declaration of Independence no longer reflect its current priorities.

“Let opposition forces put forward their own proposals and explain, for example, what mentioning the Declaration of Independence in the new Constitution would achieve, given that the Declaration’s preamble contains outdated goals,” she added.

“Why are we drafting a new Constitution? We want to understand where we are now and where we are heading, what kind of state we are, and what goals we will pursue and why. No one can erase the Declaration of Independence from the pages of history, and no one should even entertain such an idea. But the fact is that the goals of the Declaration of Independence are now outdated. We have no goal of uniting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia,” Galyan said.

“Our goal is to ensure the long-term viability of the Republic of Armenia, its prosperity and development, and to strengthen its independence and sovereignty. These are our goals.

“We are grateful for the peace we have today. We want to preserve this peace and enshrine it institutionally. Today, we are talking about facts and the present day, and today’s reality is different,” Galyan said.

The justice minister went on to discuss the process through which a new constitution has been drafted, telling reporters that the committee included representatives from all aspects of the political spectrum.

Members of the Constitutional Reform Council, appointed by Pashinyan, have been left out of the discussions, with the Justice Ministry drafting a constitution without input or consultation. The council headed by Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan has not met since April.

This move has angered some who were appointed to the council by Pashinyan.

Armenia’s former ambassador at large turned Pashinyan critic, Edmon Marukyan, said last month that he has petitioned Galyan to finally disclose the draft and resume the work of the ad hoc body.

“Now, I am interested in the status of the draft—what is being done with it, and whether or not it is being submitted for public discussion—because, ultimately, this is a matter for public consultation,” Marukyan said, adding that once he receives a response from Galyan, along with feedback from the council members, he will provide further updates.

Marukyan went on to accuse Pashinyan of meddling in not only the constitutional draft process, but other processes that require an independent approach.

“First, let us track down this draft—if such a draft that is being discussed actually exists—as there is information suggesting that Nikol Pashinyan himself is working on it. In other words, he has not only authored and edited the report on establishing a commission regarding the Church, but he has also acknowledged that he is writing the draft of the Constitution. There is no text in this country—whether related to our state-building or our spiritual life—that he is not writing himself,” Marukyan said.

“Let us locate this draft, convene a meeting of the Constitutional Council, and examine its current status: who is writing it, what is being done, what sections it comprises, which bodies are included and which are omitted, and what exactly is being developed—only then can we reach the stage of a referendum. At this point, discussing a referendum is entirely pointless,” added Marukyan.

Daniel Ioannisyan, another Constitutional Reform Council member, who has been left out of the process, said last month that discussing a document that requires a two-thirds majority approval by parliament is moot, because Pashinyan’s Civil Contract Party was unable to secure that majority in the June 7 elections.

Armenia’s Constitution and Coat of Arms

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan again threatened to amass what he called “public pressure” on opposition forces in order to advance and approve a new Constitution at all costs.

The Armenian government plans to publish a draft of the new Constitution as early as November, Pashinyan said Monday during a joint meeting of the parliamentary standing committees discussing the draft state budget for 2027.

“We will publish the draft of the new Constitution, launch public consultations, and present and consider the proposals received. This process will continue until we are satisfied that the draft new Constitution has been discussed widely enough by our society,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister noted that one of the government’s key upcoming tasks is to sign and ratify a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. In this context, the opposition has raised the question of whether adopting a new Constitution would guarantee the signing of the agreement and the establishment of comprehensive peace.

“In the near future, our efforts will be focused on obtaining answers to precisely these questions. If Armenia’s ruling majority gives a clear affirmative answer to this question and convincingly addresses the questions that follow from it, then allow me to express my conviction: if we begin the process of adopting a new Constitution with such positive answers in hand, an overwhelming majority of Armenian citizens will go to the polling stations and vote in favor of it.

“If we receive positive answers, but the parliamentary opposition takes a position against it, that would mean that the opposition is against peace with Azerbaijan. In that case, public pressure against the opposition will undoubtedly begin to build. And I believe that Armenia’s ruling majority should lead that pressure,” the prime minister said.

Pashinyan advanced this new approach to the issue last week, when he vowed that a new Consitution must be adopted at all costs.

Both he and Mirzoyan said that signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan was of utmost importance. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has made the adoption of a new constitution a precondition for signing the document.

This November, Hetq, the investigative journalism and news outlet in Armenia, will visit Boston for a panel discussion exploring the state of media in Armenia and the vital role independent media—particularly investigative journalism—plays in strengthening democracy and the rule of law. The discussions will also address Armenia’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities.

Armenia has faced an unprecedented polarization in recent years, in both media and public discourse. These issues rarely are addressed from multiple perspectives to give a 360 degree view. On November 10, these issues will be examined at a panel discussion at NAASR in Belmont.

An important goal of the visit is to engage with members of the Armenian Diaspora, learn how they follow developments in Armenia, understand which sources of information they rely on, and identify what information they need to gain a more comprehensive picture of events in their homeland. The conversations will provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives, strengthen connections, and explore how independent journalism can help bridge the information gap between Armenia and its diaspora.

Founded in 2001, Hetq is Armenia’s leading investigative media outlet, with 25 years of experience in uncovering corruption, abuse of power, misuse of public funds, human rights violations, and environmental crises. Its investigations have contributed to legal proceedings, accountability for wrongdoing, and systemic change. Through its reporting, Hetq has helped shape public debate and influence decision-making in Armenia, while earning recognition and building partnerships internationally.

Beyond investigative reporting, Hetq is committed to strengthening journalism through education. Through the Hetq Media Factory, an educational initiative it established, Hetq trains aspiring journalists in investigative reporting and promotes higher professional standards and quality in Armenian journalism.

At a time when access to reliable information is essential to understanding Armenia’s political, social, and economic realities, Hetq remains committed to holding those in power accountable and ensuring that issues of public interest are brought to light. The Boston visit is an opportunity to share this work with the Diaspora, hear its perspectives and concerns, and strengthen the relationship between independent Armenian journalism and communities abroad.

The panel discussion “The Role and Current Condition of the Media in Armenia” will take place on Tuesday November 10 at 7:30 p.m., at NAASR on 395 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA.

Event collaborators are the Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts and Tekeyan Cultural Association. Panelists joining will be Edik Baghdasaryan, Editor in-chief of Hetq, Aram Arkun, Managing Editor of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator and Ara Khatchatourian, Executive Editor at Asbarez. Dikran Kaligian, Managing Editor of “The Armenian Review” will moderate the discussion.

· November 2, 2026

· November 2, 2026