Armenia

In Armenia the freedom of assembly is regulated by 3P-72 Law from 22.04.2011 «The freedom of assembly». The country has the notification procedure for holding a peaceful action.

Organization Procedure

  • a meeting can be organized by a citizen of any country;
  • the applicant may be a minor;
  • organizers must file a notice of the event/action one week before or earlier;
  • organizers do not bear any the costs of the event/action.

Allowed

  • to arrange spontaneous assemblies without filing a notice;
  • to hold assemblies at night;
  • to hide faces with masks;
  • to organize events/actions with the opposite purposes simultaneously;
  • campaign before the event.

Forbidden

  • to gather near the government buildings and important infrastructure facilities;
  • to call for the overthrow of the constitutional system or incitement to hatred for representatives of various social groups;
  • judges, military personnel and prosecutors cannot participate in the organization of the assemblies that cast doubt on their political neutrality.

Responsibility

A fine of up to $ 23,000 for failure by a meeting participant to fulfill their obligations established by law​​​​​ participants and organizers can be held criminally liable in the event of a riot organizers can be fined up to $ 34,500 officials can be fined up to $ 57,500 for obstructing participation in lawful meetings.

Comments from experts and event participants

A rallies’ participant and human rights activist from Armenia notices that generally the country had a favorable situation with freedom of assembly, however the authorities illegally restricted peaceful assemblies in some cases. In most cases the law enforcement practice corresponds to the current legislation.

According to the human rights activist, the largest riots took place in February-March 2008. Supporters of Armenian presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan did not agree with the official election results, the protest rallies continued for more than a week. 10 people died in clashes with police officers. The investigation of the criminal case has not been completed yet.

Our respondent believes that in Armenia difficulties may arise when holding LGBT-related actions or rallies criticizing the government’s policy.