Speakers from the environmental and media sectors — in particular Tehmine Yenokyan (Green Armenia NGO), Nazeli Vardanyan (Armenian Forests NGO), and Hasmik Budaghyan (Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression) — provided detailed analyses of SLAPP cases from the current year and highlighted the dangerous patterns in how these lawsuits undermine human rights. Panelists and participants also shared firsthand information about strategic lawsuits against public participation they or their organizations have faced that function as judicial harassment rather than legitimate claims.

Following these presentations, the discussion turned to the legislative draft aimed at preventing SLAPPs that was developed at the initiative of Human Rights House Yerevan. Participants exchanged views on the draft and explored international and, in particular, European best practices and how such approaches could be adapted and implemented in Armenia to address judicial harassment and protect civic space.

This event was the second public discussion on SLAPPs organized by Human Rights House Yerevan in 2025. Earlier in the year, the organization published the report “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation in Armenia.” The prevention of SLAPPs remains one of the organization’s core priorities in defending civil society, freedom of expression, and public engagement.

Within the framework of the workshop, the organization’s partners — Baia Pataraia, head of the Sapari NGO (Human Rights House Tbilisi), and Maciej Nowicki, Chair of the Board of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland), discussed strategies for countering repression and propaganda in the context of elections, tools for strategic planning of civic resistance and voter mobilization, and shared successful and unsuccessful experiences of civil society in Georgia and Poland.

Through an interactive format, participants identified and analyzed factors that contribute to strengthening public engagement in electoral processes as well as those that lead to weaker organization and reduced impact. The discussions aimed to address civil society’s concerns in the pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral contexts.

Following the presentation of Armenia’s national report, 98 delegations took the floor during the interactive dialogue, offering statements and recommendations addressing a wide range of human rights issues. The delegation of Armenia reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing inclusive reforms and maintaining close engagement with international mechanisms and stakeholders. Armenia expressed its readiness to implement constructive recommendations while rejecting those it viewed as politicized or inconsistent with the principles of objectivity, universality, and non-selectivity.

In the framework of the 49th session, the Human Rights House Yerevan (HRHY), in cooperation with the Human Rights House Foundation, submitted a report titled “The Status of Human Rights Defenders in Armenia.” The report addressed key concerns related to threats and attacks against human rights defenders (HRDs), violations of freedom of assembly, police violence, and the growing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).

During an advocacy visit to Geneva ahead of the session, HRHY representatives met with delegates from around ten UN Member States, urging them to recommend that Armenia take concrete steps to strengthen the protection of HRDs, ensure accountability for threats and attacks against them, and publicly recognize their role in promoting human rights. HRHY also called for reforms to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly, including safeguards against the excessive use of force by police and effective investigations into abuses committed during protests. Furthermore, HRHY and HRHF encouraged recommendations aimed at preventing the misuse of SLAPPs by politicians and corporations, advocating for legal and procedural protections for journalists, activists, and environmental defenders against judicial harassment.

As a result of these submissions and international advocacy efforts, Armenia received a series of recommendations from UN Member States aimed at strengthening its human rights commitments in these key areas.

Freedom of Assembly

Countries such as Poland, Spain, Colombia, Lithuania, and Costa Rica urged Armenia to ensure the safe and peaceful exercise of the right to assembly, enhance human rights training for law enforcement, and investigate incidents of police misconduct during demonstrations. These recommendations highlighted the importance of applying strict standards of necessity and proportionality in the use of force.

Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Norway, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Romania, Latvia, and the State of Palestine, among others, called on Armenia to foster a safe and enabling environment for HRDs, journalists, and civil society actors. They emphasized the need for independent investigations into attacks and harassment against defenders and for stronger safeguards both online and offline.

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs)

Luxembourg, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic raised concerns about the misuse of SLAPPs to silence journalists and activists. They recommended strengthening the legal framework to protect whistleblowers and ensuring meaningful NGO participation in policymaking. Notably, Australia’s recommendation to amend the 2021 Civil Code to remove excessive fines for defamation—an issue highlighted in HRHY’s report—was not accepted by Armenia, despite ongoing concerns about its chilling effect on free expression.

Human Rights House Yerevan welcomes the recommendations made to Armenia and calls on the government to take tangible steps toward their implementation. HRHY remains committed to monitoring progress and advocating for reforms that ensure genuine protection of the rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the safety and recognition of human rights defenders.

Over the course of the three-day workshop, representatives of member organizations came together to assess the human rights landscape and the situation of human rights defenders in Armenia. They also examined the impact of ongoing geopolitical developments on democracy and civil society, outlined strategic priorities for the coming year, and discussed the pressing challenges of the civil society in Armenia.

During the workshop, presidential elections for the Human Rights House Yerevan were also held. Human rights defender Zhenya Mayilyan was elected as the new President. For more than 15 years, she has been dedicated to defending the rights of people living with HIV, drug users, and other marginalized groups in Armenia. We warmly congratulate Zhenya Mayilyan and wish her a productive and impactful term in office.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Armen Ohanyan, the outgoing President, for his leadership and valuable contributions to the work of the Human Rights House Yerevan.

To address strategic lawsuits against public participation in Armenia, Human Rights House Yerevan organized the conference “SLAPPs: A Threat to Public Participation” on March 25, 2025.

In recent years, we have documented over three dozen SLAPP cases in Armenia, targeting human rights defenders, civil society organizations, environmental activists, and journalists. These lawsuits are primarily initiated by officials, as well as mining and construction companies, aiming to suppress criticism of possible corruption and harmful corporate practices. SLAPPs impose significant financial and psychological burdens on activists, organizations, and citizens, obstructing their work and deterring others from speaking out against human rights violations and environmental damage. In addition to legal pressure, some activists have also faced hate speech and smear campaigns on social media.

During the conference, we presented the report “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation in Armenia” prepared by the Human Rights House Yerevan. Activists, human rights defenders, and journalists shared their experiences with SLAPPs targeting them or their organizations/initiatives, highlighting the impact of these lawsuits on fundamental human rights and restrictions on freedom of speech.

Within the framework of the conference, we also discussed international regulations on SLAPPs and their potential implementation in Armenia. One such regulation is the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec (2024)2, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on April 5, 2024. This recommendation defines SLAPPs and their various forms, provides guidance on legislative safeguards, remedies, and transparency measures, and highlights the importance of supporting those targeted by such lawsuits. It underscores the need for awareness-raising, education, and training, as well as national and international cooperation in combating SLAPPs. Additionally, the recommendation stresses the importance of early dismissal of unfounded claims, compensation for legal expenses, and ensuring legal, financial, and psychological support for victims of SLAPPs.

At the end of the conference, we discussed the necessary steps to prevent and effectively combat SLAPPs, including:

• Initiating discussions on adopting anti-SLAPP legislation in Armenia;
• Organizing public awareness events on SLAPPs;
• Conducting targeted awareness-raising for judges and lawyers on SLAPPs.

For Human Rights House Yerevan, combating strategic lawsuits against public participation remains a key priority. We emphasize the need for a systematic and coordinated response to this issue and will continue to organize and facilitate discussions on SLAPPs in the future.

In September 2024, Human Rights House Yerevan and Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) hosted a two-day workshop in Armenia to equip civil society representatives with tools to combat Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). The workshop gathered 17 participants, including eco-activists, environmental organisations, and human rights defenders, to discuss SLAPPs, examine their threats to democracy and free speech, and explore strategies for legal resistance. The event was facilitated by Mari Kapanadze from Georgian Democracy Initiative, Charlie Holt from Greenpeace International and the CASE Coalition, and Nora Wehofsits from HRHF.

SLAPPs in Armenia: A Growing Challenge and Impact on Civil Society

In Armenia, powerful entities such as mining companies and politicians have increasingly used SLAPPs to suppress environmental activism, human rights advocacy, and independent media. Over 25 cases involving journalists and human rights defenders (HRDs) have been identified by Armenian civil society organisations, demonstrating the growing threat.

During the workshop in Yerevan, participants highlighted that SLAPPs do not only target individuals, but entire communities. Mining companies, for instance, frequently file SLAPPs against eco-activists, creating a cycle of legal harassment that prevents activists from engaging in their advocacy. These lawsuits drain civil society organisations of financial and human resources, generating a chilling effect that discourages others from speaking out on critical public issues.

Participants shared how SLAPPs have already taken a toll on Armenia’s civil society. NGOs and HRDs are spending increasing time and resources defending themselves against these lawsuits, diverting attention from their core work. The absence of strong legal protection mechanisms makes this issue more pressing.

Beyond financial strain, SLAPPs impose significant psychological pressure. The continuous legal battles, compounded by frequent changes of judges, mean that cases can drag on for years. Administrative cases are often layered on top of civil SLAPPs, further complicating the situation for activists. This erosion of trust and confidence within civil society weakens the sector, while the coordinated nature of these lawsuits ensures that activists remain under relentless legal pressure.

The SLAPPs workshop brought together key voices from Armenian civil society to confront the growing threat of SLAPPs aimed at silencing activism in the country. Participants expressed deep appreciation to Human Rights House Yerevan for being the only organisation consistently raising the alarm on SLAPPs in Armenia. They emphasised the workshop’s significance in providing valuable knowledge and strategies for defending themselves against these legal attacks and tackling this critical issue.

Nvard Margaryan, Project Director, Socioscope, a member organisation of Human Rights House Yerevan.

Lessons from Georgia and International Standards for Combating SLAPPs

Workshop participants gained valuable insights from both regional and international experiences in tackling SLAPPs. Mari Kapanadze from the Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) shared lessons from Georgia, where SLAPPs have increasingly been used to suppress media freedom. Through strategic collaboration with the Bar Association and the publication of a national report on SLAPPs, Georgian civil society succeeded in raising awareness of the issue. These efforts culminated in a national conference on SLAPPs in Tbilisi, bringing the problem to public attention—although the introduction of a controversial “foreign agent” law temporarily stalled further progress.

Georgia serves as a particularly relevant example for Armenia, given the countries’ similar legal backgrounds. Both nations have experienced a rise in SLAPPs targeting human rights defenders and journalists, especially as activists in both countries challenge powerful political and business interests. Georgian civil society also has experience with establishing an Anti-SLAPP platform, which offers a best practice model from the region that Armenia can draw on.

Participants in the workshop agreed that building alliances with legal professionals, launching public awareness campaigns, and learning from Georgia’s example would be critical to fighting SLAPPs at the national level.

To strengthen this approach, Charlie Holt from Greenpeace International and the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) introduced participants to international strategies and standards that could serve as models for Armenia, and spoke about several SLAPP cases against Greenpeace. Holt presented key international standards, including the European Union’s Anti-SLAPP Directive and the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on SLAPPs, which promote early dismissal of SLAPPs cases, compensation for damages, and guidelines for courts to identify SLAPPs. While these frameworks offer promising approaches, they are not legally binding for Armenia. Armenian civil society will need to advocate for the incorporation of such standards into local legislation and to ensure the CoE Recommendation is effectively implemented. Holt encouraged Armenian civil society representatives to engage with the CASE network and explore forming a national working group to gain international solidarity and legal support.

Taking Action

The workshop concluded with several key actions identified by participants. One priority is the creation of a comprehensive report on SLAPPs in Armenia, which could be used as an advocacy tool to raise awareness of the issue and push for legal reforms. Participants also stressed the importance of building coalitions and collaborating with international advocacy groups like CASE.

Another crucial area is capacity building for Armenian judges and lawyers. HRHF and Human Rights House Yerevan have already initiated discussions with the EU Delegation and the Council of Europe to organise training and awareness-raising sessions for legal professionals. Ensuring that legal practitioners are equipped to handle SLAPP cases effectively is essential for addressing this problem at its root.

Participants left with a deeper understanding of SLAPPs, a sense of solidarity, and a roadmap for future action. This workshop marks a first but important step forward in empowering civil society in Armenia and building a stronger, more supportive environment for human rights defenders, journalists, and activists facing legal harassment. With continued advocacy, international collaboration, and legal reforms, Armenia’s civil society can strengthen its resilience against these abusive lawsuits and continue its vital work.

Nora Wehofsits, International Advocacy Officer, Human Rights House Foundation.

The workshop “Combating SLAPPs in Armenia: Empowering Civil Society” was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.