Paris, Geneva, and Yerevan, 9 October 2026 — The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), operating within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, alongside the Civil Society Institute (CSI), have issued a joint statement expressing grave concern regarding renewed legal actions initiated by Lydian Armenia. The mining company has launched proceedings against two prominent women environmental human rights defenders: Nazeli Vardanyan and Tehmine Yenoqyan.
The signatory organizations warn that these lawsuits, when viewed in the context of previous litigation against the same individuals, exhibit characteristics of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). They argue that such measures threaten to create a chilling effect on environmental advocacy and public-interest debate in Armenia. The Observatory and CSI are calling for an immediate end to the use of judicial processes designed to intimidate, silence, or discourage human rights defenders and public watchdogs from speaking out on matters of significant public importance.
Nazeli Vardanyan, a lawyer and head of the Armenian Forests NGO, faces new legal action stemming from statements she made during an interview published on 20 January 2026 regarding the Amulsar gold mine project. In its public announcement of the lawsuit, Lydian Armenia alleged that Vardanyan’s comments did not reflect reality and damaged the company’s business reputation. The company is seeking a court order requiring Vardanyan to publicly retract the disputed statements and declare them false, alongside a compensation claim of AMD 6 million, approximately EUR 13,000. Vardanyan maintains that her criticisms address substantial public interest issues related to the environmental, social, and human rights implications of the Amulsar project.
Simultaneously, Tehmine Yenoqyan, President of Green Armenia NGO and a journalist, is facing a separate lawsuit concerning a Facebook publication. The post included a photograph of polluted water and raised concerns about incidents of water pollution and fires allegedly linked to construction activities at Amulsar. According to a report submitted in February 2026 by complainants in the framework of the Bern Convention case, Lydian Armenia is demanding a public retraction through media outlets and AMD 6 million in damages. Complainants have expressly characterized these proceedings as a new SLAPP case.
The simultaneous pursuit of these cases, both seeking identical financial penalties and public retractions, heightens concerns regarding the proportionality of the measures. This pattern is not isolated; it follows a history of pressure targeting defenders who scrutinize the Amulsar project. In May 2019, the Observatory expressed deep concern over similar judicial harassment and defamation campaigns. Previous proceedings against Vardanyan resulted in findings against her at first instance, though the financial award was reduced and the retraction requirement removed on appeal. Yenoqyan has also faced sustained pressure, including documented sexist attacks and surveillance.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
