Major Update: Martirosyan v. Armenia to Be Examined by the European Court of Human Rights

On 18th of February, 2026, Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO received an official notification from the European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg) stating that the application Martirosyan v. Armenia is expected to proceed to the examination stage before the Court.

The application concerns the unlawful disclosure of personal data (residential address), which was followed by extensive hate speech, threats of violence and death, as well as the failure of competent state authorities to provide effective protection and conduct a proper investigation, despite repeated complaints and the exhaustion of all available domestic remedies.

The case originates from the events following the public speech of trans rights defender Lilit Martirosyan at the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia in April 2019. After the speech, she became the target of coordinated harassment, including the illegal disclosure of her residential address by a private individual and public calls for violence against her. Law enforcement bodies failed to ensure protection, while domestic courts did not provide an effective legal remedy.

Importantly, Lilit Martirosyan continues to face targeting, harassment, and defamatory campaigns to this day, underscoring the ongoing risks to her safety, dignity, and well-being.

The application submitted to the European Court alleges violations of Articles 3, 6, 8, and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, relating respectively to the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to a fair trial, the right to respect for private life, and the right to an effective remedy.

This case highlights broader systemic concerns regarding the safety of transgender people and human rights defenders in Armenia, who remain particularly vulnerable to targeted harassment, violence, and impunity.

We will continue to pursue this case before the Court and remain committed to advancing the protection of human rights, equality, and dignity for all.