MEDIA RELEASE
As Armenian voters prepare to choose their next government on June 7, Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is calling on the country’s next prime minister to make the protection of Armenia’s Christian identity, institutions and people a defining priority.
“The world’s first Christian nation is facing existential threats to its sovereignty and identity,” said Dr. John Eibner, president of Christian Solidarity International. “Whoever leads the next government has a choice: to stand with the displaced, the imprisoned, and the persecuted members of the Armenian nation, or to side with their persecutors.”
Regardless of whether the incumbent administration retains power or is replaced, CSI calls on Armenia’s next prime minister to:
- Respect religious freedom and the autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The state must end its campaign to co-opt the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and uphold the Church’s independence as required by international human rights law.
- Work for the unconditional release of the Armenian Christian hostages held in Baku. There are 20 known Armenian captives, including statesmen and ordinary citizens, being held in Azerbaijan – some going on six years. The next government should press for their immediate and unconditional release.
- Advocate for the preservation of Armenian Christian heritage of Artsakh/ Nagorno Karabakh. Churches, monasteries, khatchkars (cross-stones), and cemeteries across the historic Armenian region face ongoing erasure. The next government must seek international protection for this sacred heritage before it is lost.
- Release the political prisoners held in Armenia. Those detained and under judicial restrictions for their political stances in defense of the Church, Artsakh and other pillars of Armenian identity must be freed, and politically-motivated charges against them must be dropped. Armenia must reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and freedom of conscience.
- Back the Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh. The next government should support the Swiss parliament’s mandate to convene a peace forum between the government of Azerbaijan and the representatives of the displaced Armenians of Artsakh, in order to negotiate the safe and dignified return of the displaced Armenians of Artsakh and to resolve key issues, ranging from missing persons to access to holy sites.
“Whatever the outcome of these elections, CSI will continue to stand in solidarity with the Armenian Christian nation, even as much of the international community pushes it into the arms of its Turkish and Azerbaijani persecutors,” Eibner said.
About CSI
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is an interconfessional Christian human rights group, campaigning for religious liberty and human dignity, and assisting victims of religious persecution, victimized children, and victims of catastrophe.
CSI is an NGO with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Christian Solidarity International was founded in Switzerland in 1977 by Rev. Hans Stückelberger and is active in more than 20 countries with public advocacy initiatives and humanitarian aid projects.
Contact: Patrick Degenhardt | patrick.degenhardt@csi-int.org
Media contact: Dr. Joel Veldkamp | joel.veldkamp@csi-int.org
For more information on the Swiss Peace Initiative: www.swisspeacekarabakh
