RANA advances bill restricting transfer of religious monuments

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s National Assembly has approved in its first reading a legislative proposal by Civil Contract MPs Sisak Gabrielyan and Taguhi Ghazaryan, aimed at tightening regulations on the ownership transfer of immovable historical and cultural monuments and their surrounding environments.

The bill passed with 67 votes in favor, 24 against, and 2 abstentions.

Under the proposed amendments, religious structures listed as official state monuments may be transferred—whether for compensation or not—only with prior consent from the Armenian government.

The executive branch would have the right to refuse such consent if:

• the property may be used for purposes that do not serve the public good
• the deal contradicts public interest
• the submitted documentation is falsified or misleading

MP Taguhi Ghazaryan stated that the initiative seeks to clarify and strengthen the institutional mechanisms for monument protection, ensuring state oversight in the management of such properties.

On January 4, 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and bishops demanding the Catholicos's resignation announced the launch of a reform process within the Armenian Apostolic Church. According to their “roadmap,” a coordinating council will be formed to oversee church reforms.