We condemn the Ministry of Health’s attempts to silence a Human Rights Defender

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, express our deep concern and strongly condemn the unlawful and unfounded pressure against human rights defender Mamikon Hovsepyan, related to a decision of the Ethics Committee of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

On June 25, 2025, a document was sent to CCM members, based on the CCM and Global Fund Code of Conduct. This document stated that Mamikon Hovsepyan would be issued a reprimand and temporarily suspended from participation, on the grounds that he had repeatedly raised concerns about possible financial misuse and corruption. Instead of responding to or properly addressing these raised questions and concerns, the CCM Secretariat accepted a complaint about an alleged ethics violation, processed it, and, as a result, the CCM adopted a decision.

The CCM Ethics Committee abused its authority, violated the principles of due process, and imposed a sanction without any legal basis.

Furthermore, the accusations were presented without any factual justification or clearly identified statements that would prove the existence of “misinformation” or “defamation.” Mamikon Hovsepyan was not given the opportunity to review the complaints, respond to them, or present his position. This grossly violates the principles of fair procedure, impartiality, and human rights.

The June 25 decision sent to CCM members was based solely on the CCM and Global Fund Code of Conduct. However, only after Pink’s demand was it revealed that the decision had actually been based on a document called the “Guidelines for Considering Complaints and Making Decisions by the Ethics Committee,” which had never been presented to or approved by CCM members. Therefore, this document has no legal force, and any decision made using it cannot be considered lawful.

Mamikon Hovsepyan has consistently raised awareness about systemic issues and tried to bring them to decision-makers, including through public online platforms, repeatedly sending letters to various state bodies, which were systematically ignored. It is precisely these publications about abuses and gaps in the healthcare sector that have been used as a pretext to silence the human rights defender through the use of administrative resources. Mamikon Hovsepyan acted exclusively within the framework of his right to freedom of expression, raising matters of significant public interest. This right is guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

It is clear that this process is aimed at weakening civil oversight. Civil society plays an important role in demanding transparency and accountability from state bodies.

Therefore, we demand:

• That the CCM Ethics Committee immediately annul its unlawful decision,
• That the persecution of the human rights defender for exercising the right to freedom of expression be stopped,
• That the principle of freedom of speech and expression be restored within the CCM,
• That a transparent and independent investigation be carried out into the role and legality of the Ministry of Health’s actions.

Human rights defenders should be protected, not punished. Criticism is not a threat, it is the backbone of democracy and accountability.

Pink Human Rights Defender NGO

Women’s Resource Center NGO

Sexual Assault Crisis Center NGO

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO

Human Rights House Yerevan

Community Unity and Support Center NGO

Free Citizen NGO

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office

Union of Informed Citizens NGO

Europe in Law NGO

Tatevik NGO

Socioscope NGO

Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center

Legal Initiative Center NGO

EcoLur Informational NGO

Cultural and Social Narratives Laboratory NGO

Coalition to Stop Violence against Women

* This statement has also been adopted by the Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum