Women environmental human rights defenders from My Heart Is In The Highlands face restrictions on peaceful protest and reported intimidation
On October 21, 2026, women environmental human rights defenders from My Heart Is In The Highlands initiative reported intensified surveillance and intimidation from local security service and law enforcement officers during a side-event at the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia. This followed restrictions imposed by Armenian police on a peaceful demonstration organised by the initiative on 19 October 2026, during which defenders were reportedly prevented from displaying placards near the COP17 Green Zone and were required to move their protest to a less visible location. The actions were organised to raise concerns about the environmental impact of the Amulsar gold mine, which officially began operations on 10 October 2026.
My Heart Is In The Highlands is an environmental rights initiative led by women human rights defenders in Armenia. Its members advocate for environmental protection, the rights of communities affected by mining activities and public participation in environmental decision-making. Their work includes peaceful campaigning concerning the Amulsar gold mine, particularly its potential impact on water resources, biodiversity and local communities.
On October 21, 2026, women environmental human rights defenders from My Heart Is In The Highlands initiative reported intensified surveillance and intimidation from local security service and law enforcement officers during a side-event at the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia. This followed restrictions imposed by Armenian police on a peaceful demonstration organised by the initiative on 19 October 2026, during which defenders were reportedly prevented from displaying placards near the COP17 Green Zone and were required to move their protest to a less visible location. The actions were organised to raise concerns about the environmental impact of the Amulsar gold mine, which officially began operations on 10 October 2026.
My Heart Is In The Highlands is an environmental rights initiative led by women human rights defenders in Armenia. Its members advocate for environmental protection, the rights of communities affected by mining activities and public participation in environmental decision-making. Their work includes peaceful campaigning concerning the Amulsar gold mine, particularly its potential impact on water resources, biodiversity and local communities.
On October 21, 2026, members of My Heart Is In The Highlands reported the presence of law enforcement and security officials at an event they organised during COP17. The defenders described their presence as intimidating, particularly in light of the restrictions imposed on their peaceful demonstration two days earlier. .
On 19 October 2026, environmental human rights defenders from My Heart Is In The Highlands intended to hold a peaceful demonstration outside the COP17 Green Zone at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan. The defenders planned to display placards calling for the protection of Amulsar and highlighting concerns about the potential environmental impact of mining operations. At approximately 1:30 pm the defenders attempted to begin their peaceful demonstration near the entrance to the Green Zone. According to the organisers, approximately ten police officers prevented them from displaying placards and instructed them to move away from the main entrance. The defenders also reported that police officers threatened to confiscate or destroy placards and photographs, including those held by children participating in the demonstration. The defenders were ultimately permitted to protest in a less visible area away from the Green Zone entrance.
Armenian human rights defenders have been raising concerns about the environmental implications of the Amulsar gold mine, including potential risks to water resources and biodiversity. The mine officially began operations on 10 October 2026, shortly before COP17. On 12 October, Armenian civil society organisations issued a public statement challenging the reopening and calling for further environmental assessment and review of the decisions authorising mining operations. The human rights defenders called upon the Armenian government to halt the mining operation and related activities, while maintaining necessary measures for site safety and pollution prevention, and review the decisions that permitted the operation.
Environmental defenders in Armenia have previously faced systemic intimidation and smear campaigns, including to strategic lawsuits, in connection with their human rights work. In 2024 Armenian environmental organisations and defenders were reportedly accused of acting on behalf of foreign interests, contributing to concerns about the stigmatisation of those challenging mining projects.
Front Line Defenders is concerned about the restrictions imposed on women environmental human rights defenders from My Heart Is In The Highlands during their peaceful demonstration on 19 October 2026, as well as reports of subsequent intimidation. Front Line Defenders believes that the defenders are being targeted in connection with their legitimate and peaceful human rights work, including their efforts to raise concerns about the environmental and human rights implications of mining activities. Front Line Defenders is particularly concerned by the reported intimidation of children participating in the demonstration and reiterates that all human rights defenders must be able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of intimidation or reprisals.
Front Line Defenders calls upon authorities in Armenia to:
- Immediately cease all acts of harassment and intimidation against members of the My Heart is in the Highlands initiative and ensure their safety
- Ensure meaningful consultation and participation of mining-affected communities and environmental human rights defenders in decisions concerning mining activities, without intimidation, harassment or reprisals, in accordance with Armenia's international obligations.
- Ensure that environmental human rights defenders can exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and participate in relevant COP17 activities, in accordance with applicable access arrangements, without intimidation, discrimination or reprisals
- Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Armenia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all undue restrictions, in line with Armenia’s international human rights obligations.
