UN declines to comment on Armenia church tensions

PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is aware of the growing tensions surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church but says it does not have enough information to provide a full assessment. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing the organization's official spokesperson, Elizabeth Throssell.

“We are aware of these developments, but since we don’t have a presence in Armenia, we currently lack sufficient information to comment,” Throssell stated in response to a question about how the UN views the worsening relationship between Armenia's authorities and the church.

Tensions between the Armenian government and the church escalated in May after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan posted offensive comments about the church on Facebook, using inappropriate language.

In July, Pashinyan declared his readiness to personally lead the “liberation” of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He also asserted that every part of the enlarged Vagharshapat community must be open for law enforcement activities.