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| 2022 Armenian protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part ofArmenian political crisis (2020–present) | |||
 Opposition protest in Yerevan, 11 June 2022 | |||
| Date | 5 April–19 June 2022 | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | A cease-fire agreement signed byPrime Minister of ArmeniaNikol Pashinyan | ||
| Goals | Resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations,civil unrest,street blockades,sit-ins,student protest,general strike | ||
| Resulted in | Failed attempt by opposition to seek resignation of Nikol Pashinyan | ||
| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
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| Casualties | |||
| Detained | ~2,100 people (as of 6 June 2022; according to opposition estimates)[4] | ||
The2022 Armenian protests (also known as theResistance Movement;Armenian:Դիմադրության շարժում,romanized: Dimadrut’yan sharzhum) were a series of anti-government protests inArmenia that started on 5 April 2022.[5] The protests continued into June 2022, and many protesters were detained bypolice inYerevan.[6] Protestors demandedPrime Minister of ArmeniaNikol Pashinyan resign over his handling of theSecond Nagorno-Karabakh War.[7] On 14 June 2022, the opposition announced their decision to terminate daily demonstrations aimed at toppling Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after failing to achieve popular support.[8]
The2020–2021 Armenian protests resulted insnap parliamentary elections being held on 20 June 2021. Following the election,Nikol Pashinyan'sCivil Contract party won asupermajority in parliament and Pashinyan retained his position as Prime Minister.[9] Meanwhile on 13 March 2022,Vahagn Khachaturyan was sworn in as the newPresident of Armenia.[10]
Protests began in early April 2022 over the implementation of the2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement and a potential peace treaty withAzerbaijan. Nikol Pashinyan and the President of AzerbaijanIlham Aliyev met inBrussels, Belgium on 6 April 2022 for a joint summit hosted by theEuropean Council. During the summit, both leaders agreed to prepare for negotiations on a bilateral peace agreement.[11] It is feared thatArtsakh would be ceded to Azerbaijan as part of a potential peace agreement.[12]
Protesters called on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign and for the government of Armenia to provide security guarantees to Artsakh and ensure that the territory is not conceded to Azerbaijan.[13]
During a speech to the National Assembly on 22 April 2022, Nikol Pashinyan stated, "If we were to surrender Artsakh, we would not have spent tens of billions ofdrams to ensure the return of Artsakh residents to their homes after the 44-day war" and "Our strategy in the short, medium and long terms is as follows: to ensure a situation or solution whereby the people of Artsakh will continue to live in Artsakh."[14]
On 23 May 2022, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with European Council PresidentCharles Michel for a trilateral meeting in Brussels. The meeting focused on the peaceful resolution of theNagorno-Karabakh conflict and the continued development of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with theEuropean Union. The leaders agreed to establish a joint border commission, open international transport links, and prepare for a future peace treaty to be signed. European Council President Charles Michel further stated, "the rights and security of the ethnic Armenian population in Karabakh must be addressed." Charles Michel also confirmed that the EU would continue to support the economic development of both countries and support long-term sustainable peace in theCaucasus.[15] Meanwhile, on 24 May 2022, the EU'sHigh Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Josep Borrell welcomed the recent trilateral meeting and stated that, "The EU continues to be strongly engaged in peace and reconciliation efforts in the region."[16]
On 16 June 2022, the opposition "Resistance Movement" announced the ending of daily protests after failing to gain traction and participation in the protests. Opposition MPs who had been skipping parliament sessions since mid-April confirmed the ending of their parliamentary boycott.[17]
On 25 April,Anna Grigoryan, a member of theArmenia Alliance of the National Assembly, started a march from the village ofTigranashen in theArarat region to Yerevan with a group of citizens.[18]
On 27 April, a protest was held outside theArmenian Parliament.[19]
On 4 May, protesters blocked major roads in Yerevan. Several rallies were also held outside of parliament.[20]
On 10 May, 61 protesters were arrested in Yerevan.[21]
On 15 May, the Armenian government unveiled their plans for normalisation of relations with Azerbaijan.Edmon Marukyan, Armenia'sAmbassador-at-large confirmed that Armenia and Azerbaijan would have to recognize each others borders, refrain from threats to each others security, establish diplomatic relations, open transport links and cooperate in areas of mutual interest. Meanwhile, Armenia's Foreign MinisterArarat Mirzoyan said there was nothing unacceptable in Azerbaijan's proposals but stressed that the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Artsakh must be protected. Armenia had also requested that the peace negotiations should be organized by theOSCE Minsk Group.[22]
On 16 May, 91 protesters were arrested.[23] The same day Russian PresidentVladimir Putin met with Prime Minister Pashinyan to discuss regional issues.[24]
On 18 May, protestors disrupted service on theYerevan Metro, causing trains to cease operation. The metro system had been reopened one hour later.[25]
On 23 May, two protestors ran on stage waving theflag of Artsakh during the opening ceremony of theEuropean Boxing Championships in Yerevan.[26]
On 24 May, Armenian and Azeri delegations met at the border to discuss the peace process.[27] On the same day, protestors blocked the entrance to theMinistry of Foreign Affairs in an attempt to prevent employees from entering the building.[28]
On 31 May, 100 demonstrators were detained in Yerevan.[29]
On 3 June, protestors clashed with police in Yerevan. Protestors threw stones and bottles at the police, which was followed by the use of stun grenades by the police. 34 police officers were hospitalized and 16 civilians were injured.[30][31]
On 9 June, the opposition staged a protest outside the Foreign Ministry in Yerevan.[32] On 10 June, a protest was held outside thepresidential palace.[33]
On 16 June, the opposition dismantled a tent camp in central France Square.[17]
On 19 June, an incident took place in theNigavan village ofAragatsotn Province, involving a group of people. During that time, a shot was fired.[34] Seven people sustained gunshot wounds, with one dying of their injuries and at least two more in critical condition. Another man later died from his injuries.[35] Some news outlets reported that the shooting was initiated by a relatives of Civil Contract MPs, who firedKalashnikov rifles at a group of youth protestors for insulting Pashinyan.[36] The police and Civil Contract[37] have denied that information, with the police stating that the cause of the shooting was "domestic".[38]
Artsakh:President of ArtsakhArayik Harutyunyan stated that, "No document on the status of Artsakh is being discussed at this stage" and following a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan that, "the two leaders have a clear agreement that in case of any discussion on the future status of Artsakh at the international level, the position of the Armenian side must be agreed upon with the Artsakh authorities and people."[14]
Azerbaijan: TheMinister of Foreign AffairsJeyhun Bayramov reportedly "echoed Armenian authorities' statements".[39]
European Union:European Council PresidentCharles Michel held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on 18 April 2022. The European Council President reiterated his support to Pashinyan's efforts to promote a peaceful, stable and secureSouth Caucasus.[40]
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE): On 8 April 2022, the OSCE stated "The OSCE Chairmanship welcomes the meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan under the aegis of the President of the European Council and launching the process towards a possible peace agreement."[41]
Russia: TheRussian Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a press briefing that the crisis was Armenia's internal affair.[42]
United States: TheUS Department of State has urged Armenian authorities to exercise restraint and encourages anti-government protesters to refrain from violence.[43]
