Mania Israyelyan

Mania Israyelyan

Stories by the Author

Lilit Martorysyan is Armenia's most propminent transgender activist. In 2019 she addressed the Parliament, calling for protection and respect for her community. Her brief and healt-felt speech prompted political and diplomatic arguments, but it also marked a landmark step for LGBTI rights in the country.

Lilit Martorysyan is Armenia's most propminent transgender activist. In 2019 she addressed the Parliament, calling for protection and respect for her community. Her brief and healt-felt speech prompted political and diplomatic arguments, but it also marked a landmark step for LGBTI rights in the country. © Mania Israyelyan

Armenia: “I Was Born in a Body That Was Not Mine”

Country’s most prominent transgender activist describes her struggle to protect her community from discrimination and violence.

31 Mar 22

An elementary school in Armenia's Syunik province. Parents shoulder a significant burden to ensure that their children receive proper schooling, with some experts assessing that a third of the average Armenian household expenditure was on education-related costs.

An elementary school in Armenia's Syunik province. Parents shoulder a significant burden to ensure that their children receive proper schooling, with some experts assessing that a third of the average Armenian household expenditure was on education-related costs. © Mania Israyelyan

Armenia’s Education Gap

Parents are forced to shoulder a significant burden to ensure that their children receive proper schooling.

24 Mar 22

Vladimir Vardanyan, the lawmaker who co-authored the new law, makes a case for it during the July 30 session that ratified it.

Vladimir Vardanyan, the lawmaker who co-authored the new law, makes a case for it during the July 30 session that ratified it. © The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Website

Armenia Criminalises Offence

Using foul language or “hurting the dignity” of public figures could lead to up to three months in jail.

17 Aug 21

Armenia Pursues “Astronomical” Fines for Defamation

Warnings that new legislation will have a chilling effect on independent media.

1 May 21

Armenian tanks leave Nagorno-Karabakh following the end of the war with Azerbaijan on November 12, 2020 in Vardenis, Armenia. (Photo: Alex McBride/Getty Images)

Armenian tanks leave Nagorno-Karabakh following the end of the war with Azerbaijan on November 12, 2020 in Vardenis, Armenia. (Photo: Alex McBride/Getty Images)

Georgia Weighs Consequences of Karabakh Truce

With both Armenia and Azerbaijan as neighbours, Tbilisi has long tried to stay neutral.

13 Nov 20

Ani Samsonyan from the opposition party Bright Armenia. (Photo courtesy of A. Samsonyan)

Ani Samsonyan from the opposition party Bright Armenia. (Photo courtesy of A. Samsonyan)

Hate Speech: Armenian Leaders Set Bad Example

Civil society groups call for the political echelons to rein in their rhetoric.

22 Jun 20

Anahit Voskanyan, a doctor and the deputy director of the Sirmed medical centre. (Photo courtesy of A Voskanyan)

Anahit Voskanyan, a doctor and the deputy director of the Sirmed medical centre. (Photo courtesy of A Voskanyan)

Armenia Moves Out of Lockdown

Country goes back to work, even though infections continue to rise.

11 May 20

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