New Report Alleges Anti-Artsakh Armenian Hate Speech Reached Unprecedented Levels During Armenia’s 2026 Election Campaign

A new report by the Regional Center for Democracy and Security (RCDS) alleges that hate speech targeting Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) reached unprecedented levels during Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary election campaign, raising concerns about political polarization, social cohesion, and the treatment of vulnerable communities.

The report, which monitored public discourse throughout May, differs from the organization's previous assessments by focusing primarily on the official election campaign period that began on May 8. According to the findings, anti-Artsakh Armenian rhetoric became increasingly visible in political messaging, social media discussions, and campaign-related events.

RCDS identifies representatives and supporters of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party as the primary sources of such rhetoric and argues that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan played a central role in shaping narratives directed at displaced Artsakh Armenians.

One of the report’s key concerns centers on what it describes as the stigmatization of Artsakh Armenians through collective accusations and derogatory portrayals.

The organization highlights a May 18 campaign event in Yerevan’s Arabkir district, where Prime Minister Pashinyan commented on a video circulating online that featured masked individuals speaking in the Karabakh dialect. According to the report, his remarks extended beyond the individuals shown in the footage and included broader criticism of Artsakh Armenians, whom he accused of abandoning the battlefield while Armenian soldiers continued fighting.

The report also draws attention to a confrontation later that day between Pashinyan and Artsakh activist Arthur Osipyan. During the exchange, the prime minister responded to criticism from Osipyan with remarks that RCDS characterizes as inflammatory and stigmatizing toward displaced Artsakh Armenians.

The organization argues that such statements contribute to a narrative portraying an entire displaced community as responsible for wartime outcomes, increasing the risk of discrimination and social exclusion.

Osipyan was subsequently arrested and remained in detention until June 10, when he was released following a prolonged hunger strike and public appeals from civil society groups.

According to the report, narratives introduced during the campaign were amplified by pro-government commentators and social media activists, some of whom employed language that the organization describes as dehumanizing.

RCDS cites several examples of public posts and livestreams in which Artsakh Armenians were portrayed as disloyal, ungrateful, or undeserving of participation in Armenia’s political life. The report argues that such rhetoric goes beyond political criticism and contributes to the marginalization of a community already displaced by conflict.

The organization warns that repeated use of collective accusations and derogatory language can deepen social divisions and undermine efforts to integrate thousands of Artsakh Armenians who fled the region following recent conflicts.

The report also raises concerns about the alleged politicization of government assistance programs intended to support displaced Artsakh Armenians.

One incident highlighted by RCDS occurred during a campaign stop in the town of Talin, where local officials reportedly referenced state housing assistance while encouraging political support for the ruling party.

According to the report, the exchange reflected a broader trend in which government aid programs are presented as favors provided by political leaders rather than as public services funded by taxpayers and guaranteed by the state.

RCDS argues that linking social assistance to political loyalty risks placing additional pressure on displaced families who remain dependent on government support while rebuilding their lives.

In its conclusions, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security argues that anti-Artsakh Armenian rhetoric has become increasingly systematic and is being normalized within parts of Armenia’s political discourse.

The organization also criticizes law enforcement authorities, claiming they have failed to respond adequately to incidents involving hate speech and public incitement.

The report was prepared by Tigran Grigoryan and Hayk Khanumyan with support from the European Union and the German Marshall Fund’s Transatlantic Foundation. The authors emphasize that the findings and conclusions expressed in the report are solely those of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the German Marshall Fund.

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