Public statement

Human Rights Defender Lilit Martirosyan Faces Renewed Targeted Attacks, Death Threats, and Unlawful Dissemination of Personal Information.

The Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO expresses deep concern over the ongoing targeted hate campaign, threats, and violations of privacy directed at Lilit Martirosyan, a human rights defender, transgender activist, and president of our organization. These relentless attacks pose a direct threat to her safety and undermine her critical work in Armenia.

Days ago, Lilit Martirosyan gave an interview discussing the U.S. administration’s position on the LGBTIQ+ community and its recent decision to cut funding for all aid programs, including LGBTIQ+ organizations. Following the interview, various Armenian media outlets widely disseminated materials, triggering yet another wave of hate speech and incitement against her.

Over the past few hours, L. Martirosyan's personal information, including her place of residence and dead name, have been published and spread on social media, and direct death threats have been made against her, including "we will slaughter you," "we will find you," and "you have little time left to live."

These attacks not only endanger L. Martirosyan’s life but also severely impact her ability to continue her human rights work and efforts to create a safe space for LGBTIQ+ individuals in Armenia.

Right Side NGO considers these actions as serious legal offenses, including:

• Hate speech and incitement to violence
• Direct death threats
• Unlawful disclosure of personal information

We will be filing official complaints with the Armenian Police, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Human Rights Defender’s Office, demanding:

• Immediate action to ensure Lilit Martirosyan’s safety
• A thorough investigation into the hate speech and threats
• Accountability for those inciting violence and spreading personal information

Call to Action
▶ To Armenian law enforcement agencies:

• Promptly and effectively investigate the threats against Lilit Martirosyan
• Implement legal measures to prevent attacks on human rights defenders

▶ To international organizations and partners:

• Condemn attacks on human rights defenders
• Provide support to strengthen protections for activists in Armenia

These attacks are not just against Lilit Martirosyan—they threaten the broader human rights movement in Armenia and efforts to promote democracy, equality, and justice.

We stand firm in our commitment to defending human rights and will not be silenced.

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO