Rights advocate slams Armenian PM’s remarks as dangerous

PanARMENIAN.Net - Robert Amsterdam, a prominent international human rights lawyer, commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement “I am the government” on X, writing that it is “everything one needs to know about this so-called ‘democracy.’”

Amsterdam also described the Armenian government’s interference in church affairs as a clear sign of growing authoritarianism.

“Government interference in church affairs is a key indicator of Armenia’s growing authoritarianism. Pashinyan’s dangerous, hysterical cry—‘I am the government’—says everything one needs to know about this ‘democracy,’ which the West so often praises,” Amsterdam posted.

On August 28, following a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Pashinyan said: “I am the government. No one can hold a position contradicting mine. If there are people in the government who disagree with my stance, let them resign immediately and leave the building; otherwise, I will remove them myself.”

Levon Zurabyan, Vice-Chair of the Armenian National Congress, has filed a lawsuit against Pashinyan over the “I am the government” statement.