Armenia

Armenia is a country located in the South Caucasus region. It gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Civil society and independent media have started to emerge in Armenia, but despite that, the country remains an undemocratic one, where power is maintained through manipulation of the electoral process and repressions by the security forces. 

The ruling regime's opponents are being regularly persecuted by security forces and non-violent protests are often suppressed by force. In recent years, a number of opponents have been put into prison following trials identified as politically motivated by international observers. The massive anti-regime protests that took place in 2015 and 2016 in the capital of Yerevan and other parts of the country have been severely suppressed.

People in Need has been working in Armenia since 2015. We support local citizens' initiatives and human rights defenders. In 2016, People in Need, in cooperation with local partners, helped to organize screenings of documentary films in the regional cities of Armenia, informing about important human rights issues around the world. We also provide legal, material and financial support to political prisoners and their families.