Rafael Ishkhanyan

Last updated: May 29, 2026

👤 Rafael Ishkhanyan has appeared on the Groong podcast — see their guest profile and interviews →

Rafael Ishkhanyan is an Armenian civil society figure and human rights advocate who has appeared on Groong to discuss democratic governance, political rights, and civil liberties in Armenia. See his guest page for full biography and episode list.

His Groong appearances address the state of civil society in Armenia, the government’s relationship with independent institutions, and human rights developments in the pre-election period ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Rafael Ishkhanyan.

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.

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