Vilifying the Vulnerable: The Rise of Anti-Refugee Narratives in Armenia

30.01.2025

 

By Karena Avedissian

 

For a recent Freedom House project on disinformation and hate speech targeting vulnerable groups in Armenia, the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, where I work as Senior Analyst, conducted a focus group with Nagorno-Karabakh refugees. Our goal was to identify the most common stereotypes they face in Armenian society, based on their own experiences. These insights formed the foundation of our report. Below are some of our key findings.

 

Armenia stands at a crossroads, navigating difficult geopolitical challenges following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War and the 2023 fall of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the wake of these shifts, understanding societal narratives becomes essential for revealing the aims and strategies of various political forces.

 

A key challenge Armenia faces in consolidating its resilience in the face of challenges is the prevalence of disinformation and hate speech, often weaponized by political figures to exploit societal fears and deepen divisions and influence public perceptions of the country’s security. These narratives often target vulnerable communities, eroding social cohesion.

 

Before the 2018 democratic revolution, disinformation campaigns largely focused on marginalized groups, particularly women’s rights advocates and the LGBTIQ community. After the revolution, these campaigns shifted toward security issues. Since the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 and the resulting flow of refugees into the country, these refugees have become a primary target of false narratives, portraying them as political threats and outsiders. This stereotyping, although not new, has found fresh ground to flourish due to their increased numbers. Rooted in past political grievances, these narratives depict Karabakh Armenians as deserters or disloyal elements, further marginalizing an already vulnerable population.

 

The Armenian government and affiliated media outlets have played a significant role in amplifying these stereotypes, using them as political tools to discredit opposition voices. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself has made comments that frame Karabakh Armenians as ungrateful and politically destabilizing, further entrenching their marginalization.

 

For example, in a press conference on July 25, 2023, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made divisive comments equating criticism of his leadership by Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to ingratitude toward Armenia and its people. In stating “by blaming Armenia’s elected leader, who is the person from Artsakh person actually blaming?”, Pashinyan implied that Karabakh Armenians were ungrateful for the support they had received from Armenia over the last three decades. These comments not only delegitimize valid critiques of Pashinyan’s policies but also framed Karabakh Armenians as scapegoats for the broader political and societal challenges facing Armenia.

 

Ruling party lawmaker Gagik Melkonyan made controversial statements about Karabakh Armenian refugees, claiming they abandoned their homes and should behave as “guests” in Armenia. While his statements contradict the Armenian government’s official position on integrating Karabakh Armenians as an integral part of society, and despite causing public outrage for this rhetoric, the ruling party has not condemned or distanced itself from Melkonyan’s divisive rhetoric.

 

Government-affiliated media reports have reinforced these narratives. For instance, on September 18, 2024, Armtimes published a report highlighting an alleged plot uncovered by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) involving individuals accused of planning to seize power in the country. The report repeated the law enforcement agency’s own emphasis that the suspects had ties to Nagorno-Karabakh, stating, “…several Armenian citizens––former Nagorno-Karabakh residents were recruited with the aim of seizing power in Armenia…”

 

By linking the alleged coup attempt directly to their ties with Nagorno-Karabakh, the narrative provides fuel for public suspicion and fear toward this already vulnerable group. Such framing perpetuates harmful stereotypes of Karabakh Armenians as disloyal and destabilizing elements within Armenian society.

 

The consequences of these disinformation campaigns are severe. They not only deepen divisions within Armenian society but also hinder democratic resilience, foster exclusion, and make marginalized groups more vulnerable to discrimination and violence. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, involving civil society, independent media, and international actors.

 

Armenian civil society has already taken steps to counter disinformation and hate speech, with initiatives such as Mediaethics.am promoting ethical journalism and responsible reporting on sensitive issues like refugee integration. However, much more needs to be done to combat the state-sponsored narratives that perpetuate division. Independent media organizations must be empowered to provide accurate, unbiased reporting, while civil society groups should receive greater support to advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

 

Given the Armenian government’s own role in disseminating disinformation, direct engagement with officials on this matter may yield limited results. However, Armenia’s aspiration to strengthen ties with the European Union presents an opportunity for international actors to encourage better governance practices. The EU and other international partners should condition their support on Armenia’s commitment to upholding democratic principles, combating hate speech, and fostering social cohesion. Encouraging greater media literacy among the public can also help build resilience against manipulative narratives and reduce the influence of disinformation.

 

Armenia’s path forward is fraught with challenges, but addressing the toxic narratives that fuel division is essential for building a more inclusive and stable society. By supporting independent media, strengthening civil society, and leveraging international partnerships, Armenia can take meaningful steps toward overcoming these obstacles.

 

Democracy Watch is a joint initiative of CivilNet and the Regional Center for Democracy and Security.

 

This material has been funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.