Party demands safe access for bishops entering Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Ramgavar Liberal Party has issued a statement addressed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, demanding guarantees for unhindered entry into Armenia for bishops intending to participate in the Bishops’ Assembly, as well as assurances of their immunity, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and physical safety.

Referring to relevant provisions of the Armenian Constitution and international treaties on the freedom of assembly, the party emphasized that bishops must be able to travel and act without intimidation, reports Sputnik Armenia.

According to certain reports, the Bishops’ Assembly initially scheduled for December 10–12 was postponed due to pressure from the National Security Service (NSS). The Catholicos was allegedly warned that if the assembly took place and decisions were made regarding the ten bishops, there would be negative consequences, including the arrest of specific clergy members and restrictions on entry or return for those arriving from abroad. In response, the Catholicos reportedly opted to avoid escalating the situation.

The Ramgavar Party recalled that the announcement of the upcoming Bishops’ Assembly and related discussions at the Mother See had resonated strongly with the Armenian diaspora, giving hope that the issue might be resolved without needing to escalate it to international bodies.

“In reality, nothing has improved. On the contrary, unlawful actions continue to intensify, such as partial and unacceptable ‘masses’ held in various sanctuaries by defrocked or rogue clergy, with the public participation of Prime Minister Pashinyan and his administration,” the statement reads.

The party also highlighted that the imprisonment of clergy and other political prisoners has created an atmosphere of fear, preventing many clergymen and accompanying faithful from participating in or even expressing interest in the assembly. Therefore, the party argues, clear and practical guarantees are urgently needed.

Earlier, a group of bishops who had met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for a gathering at the Mother See on December 18 to demand the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II. The Aragatsotn Diocese later announced that a joint prayer, initially planned at St. Hovhannes Church in Byurakan, would also be moved to Etchmiadzin. That was followed by public calls, including from political and civic figures, for people to gather at 15:30 in support of the Church and the Catholicos.