Armenian legal scholar says PACE resolution calls for end to anti-church campaign

A resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has been misrepresented on social media and does not condemn the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian legal scholar Gevorg Danielyan said on Tuesday.

Danielyan, a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council and a professor of law, said in a social media post the Jan. 26, 2026 resolution No. 2633 expresses concern over reports, not established facts, alleging that several clergymen sought to seize power, and highlights political polarisation and tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the church leadership.

He said the wording amounts to a diplomatic expectation that the government’s campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church should end, adding that this aspect has been largely ignored by commentators.

The resolution also points to documented problems in Armenia’s electoral processes, urging the authorities to prevent misuse of public resources, enforce party financing rules and curb hate speech ahead of the June 2026 general elections, Danielyan said.

Separately, PACE called on Azerbaijan to release all Armenian prisoners, he noted.

Earlier, deputy parliament speaker Ruben Rubinyan said the resolution voiced “deep concern” over reports of alleged coup plans involving some clergymen, while also urging Azerbaijan to free all Armenians held in detention.