On 8 December 2025, Human Rights House Yerevan convened representatives from civil society, state institutions, the media, and human rights communities for a discussion entitled “SLAPPs: A Threat to Public Participation.” The event brought together diverse stakeholders to examine developments and emerging trends related to strategic lawsuits aimed at suppressing public participation in Armenia.
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.
