Armenian Center for Political Rights

Last updated: May 29, 2026

The Armenian Center for Political Rights (ACPR) is a civil society organization in Armenia focused on political rights, democratic accountability, and the protection of civil liberties. It engages in monitoring, research, and advocacy on issues related to electoral integrity, the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the conduct of state institutions.

ACPR has been active in periods of political tension in Armenia, including during the post-44-Day War environment of political polarization, the 2021 snap elections, and the ongoing debates about judicial independence and government accountability. The organization represents part of a broader ecosystem of Armenian civil society that operates independently of both government and opposition political parties.

Groong episodes referencing the Armenian Center for Political Rights address issues of civil rights, democratic governance, and the accountability of Armenian political institutions — including the conduct of elections, the independence of the judiciary, and the treatment of political prisoners and detainees.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Armenian Center for Political Rights.

Groong News Digest — Week of June 2–8, 2026

Posted on Monday, Jun 8, 2026 | Category: Digest, News Digest

Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections test Pashinyan’s Western pivot amid Russian pressure, mass opposition arrests, strategic U.S. engagement through TRIPP, and the country’s post-Karabakh (Nagorno Karabakh) geopolitical realignment.

Groong Podcast Digest — Week of June 2–8, 2026

Posted on Monday, Jun 8, 2026 | Category: Digest, Podcast Digest

We examine Armenia’s May 28 Independence Day parade as election theater, Marco Rubio’s push for critical minerals deals and the TRIPP framework, and the strategic risks Armenia faces from Russia and Iran as the country heads into the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. Dr. Philippe Raffi Kalfayan returns from IODA’s second election observation mission to report a sharply deteriorating pre-election climate marked by arrests of opposition figures, state intimidation of voters, misuse of public resources, and widespread fear among citizens. Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian  Read More

Spotlight on Silence: Selective Justice in Armenia’s Election Campaign | Ep 555, Jun 6, 2026 [EP555]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights | Series: sos, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Selective law enforcement before elections
  • Wiretaps, leaks, and campaign pressure
  • Hate speech laws against critics
  • Official threats without consequences
  • Military summons as political coercion

Episode 555 | Recorded: June 4, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HumanRights #PoliticalPersecution #Artsakh #RafaelIshkhanyan #Groong

Spotlight on Silence: Selective Justice in Armenia’s Election Campaign | Ep 555, Jun 6, 2026 [EP555]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Selective law enforcement before elections
  • Wiretaps, leaks, and campaign pressure
  • Hate speech laws against critics
  • Official threats without consequences
  • Military summons as political coercion

Episode 555 | Recorded: June 4, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #HumanRights #PoliticalPersecution #Artsakh #RafaelIshkhanyan #Groong

Transcript: Spotlight on Silence: Selective Justice in Armenia’s Election Campaign | Ep 555, Jun 6, 2026 [EP555]

Posted on Saturday, Jun 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Transcript

In this Spotlight on Silence episode, we speak with Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian Center for Political Rights about selective justice and state pressure ahead of the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election. We discuss wiretaps and leaks targeting opposition figures, abuse of hate speech laws against government critics, military service summons used as political coercion, and Pashinyan’s threats against political opponents and Artsakh Armenians.

Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026 [EP542]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Vedi abuse case timeline
  • Law-enforcement delays and failures
  • Victim protection and privacy
  • Political responsibility and accountability
  • Child-protection system breakdown

Episode 542 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

#VediCase #ChildProtection #JusticeForChildren #RuleOfLaw #Accountability #Armenia #HumanRights #VictimsRights

Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026 [EP542]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • Vedi abuse case timeline
  • Law-enforcement delays and failures
  • Victim protection and privacy
  • Political responsibility and accountability
  • Child-protection system breakdown

Episode 542 | Recorded: May 9, 2026

#VediCase #ChildProtection #JusticeForChildren #RuleOfLaw #Accountability #Armenia #HumanRights #VictimsRights

Transcript: Tatevik Soghoyan - Who Failed the Children of Vedi | Ep 542, May 10, 2026 [EP542]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Human Rights, Nagorno Karabakh, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode examines the Vedi abuse case, a disturbing story involving alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable minors and serious questions about Armenia’s law-enforcement response. Attorney Tatevik Soghoyan joins the program to discuss the known timeline, the delays between the first reports and arrests, the treatment of the victims, and the public statements by investigators and government officials. The discussion focuses on whether this was a local failure, a systemic breakdown, or a deeper case of political responsibility, while asking what Armenia’s justice and child-protection systems must do to prevent such cases from being ignored, delayed, or mishandled.

Arega Hovsepyan - June 2026 Parliamentary Election in Armenia | Ep 537, Apr 30, 2026 [EP537]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 30, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, Armenian News, Russia, Iran | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Strong Armenia and election dynamics
  • New arrests and political pressure
  • Artsakh Armenians and their rights
  • TRIPP corridor and regional security

Episode 537 | Recorded: April 27, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #AregaHovsepyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Arega Hovsepyan - June 2026 Parliamentary Election in Armenia | Ep 537, Apr 30, 2026 [EP537]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 30, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, Armenian News, Russia, Iran

Guest:

Topics:

  • Strong Armenia and election dynamics
  • New arrests and political pressure
  • Artsakh Armenians and their rights
  • TRIPP corridor and regional security

Episode 537 | Recorded: April 27, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #AregaHovsepyan #ArmenianPolitics #SouthCaucasus #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #Geopolitics

Transcript: Arega Hovsepyan - June 2026 Parliamentary Election in Armenia | Ep 537, Apr 30, 2026 [EP537]

Posted on Thursday, Apr 30, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, Armenian News, Russia, Iran, Transcript

In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Arega Hovsepyan of the Strong Armenia party about Armenia’s upcoming June 2026 parliamentary elections and the broader political climate. The discussion focuses on recent arrests targeting opposition figures, the situation of displaced Artsakh Armenians, competing narratives around “peace” with Azerbaijan, and the implications of the TRIPP or Zangezur Corridor project. We also examine opposition unity, polling trends, and legal questions surrounding Strong Armenia’s political strategy.

Joel Veldkamp - Christian Solidarity International Visits Armenian Bishops in Jail | Ep 513, Feb 4, 2026 [EP513]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO, Iran | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • CSI Visits Jailed Cleric
  • IRF Summit
  • PACE MP Speaks Up

Episode 513 | Recorded: February 3, 2026

#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #IRFSummit2026 #ChristianSolidarityInternational

Joel Veldkamp - Christian Solidarity International Visits Armenian Bishops in Jail | Ep 513, Feb 4, 2026 [EP513]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO, Iran

Guest:

Topics:

  • CSI Visits Jailed Cleric
  • IRF Summit
  • PACE MP Speaks Up

Episode 513 | Recorded: February 3, 2026

#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #IRFSummit2026 #ChristianSolidarityInternational

Spotlight on Silence: InJustice in Armenia | Ep 497, Dec 18, 2025 [EP497]

Posted on Thursday, Dec 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine | Series: video, sos

Guest:

Follow ACPR on Facebook: Քաղաքական իրավունքների հայկական կենտրոն - ՔԻՀԿ / ACPR

Topics:

  • Criminalization of Speech and Dissent in Armenia
  • Legal Pressure on Lawyers, Journalists, and Clergy
  • Selective Justice and Coordinated Propaganda
  • Article 236 and the Policing of Protest

Episode 497 | Recorded: December 14, 2025

#SpotlightOnSilence #ArmeniaJustice #PoliticalPrisoners #FreedomOfSpeech #RuleOfLaw #HumanRights #Groong

 Read More

Spotlight on Silence: InJustice in Armenia | Ep 497, Dec 18, 2025 [EP497]

Posted on Thursday, Dec 18, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Armenian Church, Human Rights, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine

Guest:

Follow ACPR on Facebook: Քաղաքական իրավունքների հայկական կենտրոն - ՔԻՀԿ / ACPR

Topics:

  • Criminalization of Speech and Dissent in Armenia
  • Legal Pressure on Lawyers, Journalists, and Clergy
  • Selective Justice and Coordinated Propaganda
  • Article 236 and the Policing of Protest

Episode 497 | Recorded: December 14, 2025

#SpotlightOnSilence #ArmeniaJustice #PoliticalPrisoners #FreedomOfSpeech #RuleOfLaw #HumanRights #Groong

 Read More

Joel Veldkamp - Armenia’s Prayer Breakfast and the Crackdown on the Church | Ep 490, Nov 27, 2025 [EP490]

Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, China, Genocide | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Clergy Arrests in Armenia
  • Church Under Pressure
  • Prayer Breakfast Controversy
  • Western Silence on Repression
  • CSI’s Findings in Yerevan

Episode 490 | Recorded: November 25, 2025

#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #ChristianSolidarityInternational #HumanRightsInArmenia

Joel Veldkamp - Armenia’s Prayer Breakfast and the Crackdown on the Church | Ep 490, Nov 27, 2025 [EP490]

Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, China, Genocide

Guest:

Topics:

  • Clergy Arrests in Armenia
  • Church Under Pressure
  • Prayer Breakfast Controversy
  • Western Silence on Repression
  • CSI’s Findings in Yerevan

Episode 490 | Recorded: November 25, 2025

#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #ChristianSolidarityInternational #HumanRightsInArmenia

Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025 [EP446]

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Privacy, Human Rights, Georgia, Russia, Economy, Ukraine, China | Series: sos, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia legalizes round-the-clock surveillance.
  • Law enables political targeting, critics warn.
  • No oversight, no privacy laws.
  • Silence from Armenia’s new geopolitical allies.

Episode 446 | Recorded: June 12, 2025

Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025 [EP446]

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Privacy, Human Rights, Georgia, Russia, Economy, Ukraine, China

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia legalizes round-the-clock surveillance.
  • Law enables political targeting, critics warn.
  • No oversight, no privacy laws.
  • Silence from Armenia’s new geopolitical allies.

Episode 446 | Recorded: June 12, 2025

Transcript: Spotlight on Silence: Surveillance State: Armenia’s Biometric Crackdown | Ep 446, Jun 15, 2025 [EP446]

Posted on Sunday, Jun 15, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Privacy, Human Rights, Georgia, Russia, Economy, Ukraine, China, Transcript

In this episode of Groong: Spotlight on Silence, we speak with Rafael Ishkhanyan of the Armenian Center for Political Rights about Armenia’s sweeping new surveillance law. Passed quietly in March 2025, the law grants police 24/7 access to camera networks across public institutions and allows for real-time facial recognition, raising deep concerns about privacy, political targeting, and unchecked state power. We explore what the law says, what it leaves out, and why international silence—despite clear risks to civil liberties—has been so striking.

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Report on Police Brutality on June 12, Armenia High Pretrial Detention Rate, Avetik Chalabyan | Ep 343 - July 11, 2024 [EP343]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 13, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Azerbaijan, Human Rights | Series: sos, video

Topics:

  • Report on Police Brutality on June 12 Rally
  • PACE Resolution on Armenia
  • Armenia’s High Pretrial Detention Rate
  • Spotlight on Political Prisoner: Avetik Chalabyan

Guest:

Episode 343 | Recorded: June 28, 2024

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Report on Police Brutality on June 12, Armenia High Pretrial Detention Rate, Avetik Chalabyan | Ep 343 - July 11, 2024 [EP343]

Posted on Saturday, Jul 13, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Azerbaijan, Human Rights

Topics:

  • Report on Police Brutality on June 12 Rally
  • PACE Resolution on Armenia
  • Armenia’s High Pretrial Detention Rate
  • Spotlight on Political Prisoner: Avetik Chalabyan

Guest:

Episode 343 | Recorded: June 28, 2024

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Protesters Arrested, MPs Beaten, Artsakh Mayors Jailed | Ep 336 - Jun 16, 2024 [EP336]

Posted on Monday, Jun 17, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Human Rights, Georgia, Iran, Artsakh Blockade, NATO | Series: sos, video

Topics:

  • Detention vs. Arrest
  • Hundreds Of Protesters Arrested
  • “Red Berets” Beat Up MP
  • Artsakh Mayors Under Arrest
  • Podcasters Released But Banned From Podcasting
    • Narek Samsonyan
    • Vazgen Saghatelyan

Guest:

Episode 336 | Recorded: June 16, 2024

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Protesters Arrested, MPs Beaten, Artsakh Mayors Jailed | Ep 336 - Jun 16, 2024 [EP336]

Posted on Monday, Jun 17, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Human Rights, Georgia, Iran, Artsakh Blockade, NATO

Topics:

  • Detention vs. Arrest
  • Hundreds Of Protesters Arrested
  • “Red Berets” Beat Up MP
  • Artsakh Mayors Under Arrest
  • Podcasters Released But Banned From Podcasting
    • Narek Samsonyan
    • Vazgen Saghatelyan

Guest:

Episode 336 | Recorded: June 16, 2024

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Political Prisoners in Armenia | Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws | Cases: Samuel Vardanyan. Narek Malyan. Armen Grigorian | Ep 325 - Apr 22, 2024 [EP325]

Posted on Monday, Apr 22, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, NATO, Geopolitics, Iran, Turkey | Series: sos, video

Topics:

  • Political Prisoners in Armenia
  • Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws
  • Cases
    • Samuel Vardanyan
    • Narek Malyan
    • Armen Grigorian

Guest:

Episode 325 | Recorded: April 20, 2024

Rafael Ishkhanyan - Political Prisoners in Armenia | Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws | Cases: Samuel Vardanyan. Narek Malyan. Armen Grigorian | Ep 325 - Apr 22, 2024 [EP325]

Posted on Monday, Apr 22, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Spotlight on Silence, Political Prisoners, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, NATO, Geopolitics, Iran, Turkey

Topics:

  • Political Prisoners in Armenia
  • Armenia’s Hate Speech Laws
  • Cases
    • Samuel Vardanyan
    • Narek Malyan
    • Armen Grigorian

Guest:

Episode 325 | Recorded: April 20, 2024

Karen Vrtanesyan - Illusion of Normalcy | Political Prisoners & Judicial Harassment | Negotiations | Military Capacity | What Next | Ep 302 - January 14, 2024 [EP302]

Posted on Monday, Jan 15, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Human Rights, Iran, NATO, India | Series: wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • “Forced Illusion of Normalcy”
  • Political Prisoners and Judicial Harassment
  • Negotiations and “Peace Treaty”
  • Armenia’s Military Capacity
  • What Need to be Done?
  • Thoughts from the Participants

Episode 302 | Recorded: January 14, 2024

Karen Vrtanesyan - Illusion of Normalcy | Political Prisoners & Judicial Harassment | Negotiations | Military Capacity | What Next | Ep 302 - January 14, 2024 [EP302]

Posted on Monday, Jan 15, 2024 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Politics, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Genocide, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Human Rights, Iran, NATO, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • “Forced Illusion of Normalcy”
  • Political Prisoners and Judicial Harassment
  • Negotiations and “Peace Treaty”
  • Armenia’s Military Capacity
  • What Need to be Done?
  • Thoughts from the Participants

Episode 302 | Recorded: January 14, 2024