Threats of Dismissal Used to Coerce Participation in Rallies, NSS Says

According to information received by the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, several legal entities and local government officials are coercing their employees to participate in rallies organized in the Republic of Armenia, by persuading, materially incentivizing, and in some cases, threatening them with dismissal, according to the NSS.

In this regard, the NSS calls on individuals not to yield to such illegal demands from employers and informs that according to Article 6 of the Republic of Armenia’s Law on Freedom of Assemblies, no one has the right to force anyone to participate in any gathering or obstruct their participation in any gathering.

Simultaneously, it has been announced that the NSS is taking all necessary measures to ensure the right to organize and participate in assemblies as established by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and international treaties, exclusively under the condition of the individual's free expression. All cases of coercion to participate in these gatherings will be identified, and severe measures will be initiated against those who violate these provisions.

The NSS also informs that there are currently real threats to the organization and implementation of mass disturbances in the Republic of Armenia, thus once again urging individuals not to succumb to possible provocations, demonstrate high civic responsibility, and refrain from spreading hatred and enmity in society, calls for violence in public speeches, or any expressions that may be perceived as violence, which could create true preconditions for undermining the country's internal security or committing other criminal actions. Therefore, it is warned that the NSS will undertake legally stipulated effective measures to ensure public safety and protect the rights and legal interests of the state and citizens, neutralizing any actions that could destabilize the internal security of the Republic of Armenia.

It is reported that the NSS is fully aware of the operational situation and will consistently combat crimes aimed at undermining the foundations of constitutional order and state security, calling on broad segments of society to display lawful behavior and not to yield to provocative calls and appeals aimed at destabilizing the country's internal security due to personal or political narrow interests.