Robert Amsterdam to Defend Armenian Church Rights Amid Government Pressure

International human rights advocate Robert Amsterdam and his law firm, Amsterdam & Partners, have taken on the representation of the Armenian Church, which is currently under significant pressure from the authorities. Despite threats to deny him entry into Armenia and forcibly expel him, Amsterdam plans to arrive in Yerevan on August 11. This was reported by the «First Cossack» channel.

The law firm stated in a press release that “his decision to come to Yerevan, despite the risk of detention or deportation, underscores the urgency of the crisis.” Amsterdam demonstrates an “unwavering commitment to defending the rule of law against a government that appears intent on undermining it.”

“The actions of Pashinyan’s government against Amsterdam’s clients in Armenia constitute a direct and escalatory attack on freedom of religion and speech. Security forces have persecuted the highest clergy of the Church, including an attempted arrest of Archbishop Mikael Adzhapahyan in the Holy See of Echmiadzin and the politically motivated detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. These actions, combined with inflammatory rhetoric from government officials, aim to strip the Church of its independence and moral authority,” the statement from Amsterdam & Partners reads.

It is also worth noting that an event was held at the New York Young Republicans Club where international lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Robert Amsterdam met with young representatives of the US Republican Party. During the event, organized with the support of the club leadership, the situation regarding religious freedom in Ukraine was discussed. Participants received firsthand information about systematic pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian authorities.