IARA – Armenian Institutions of the Argentine Republic, representing a community united by historic ties of faith, culture and memory, strongly condemn the serious state actions that violate the autonomy of our Holy Church and the ongoing criminal prosecution of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

Throughout nearly 2,000 years of history, the Armenian Apostolic Church has played a fundamental role as a pillar of the identity, spirituality and cohesion of our people.

In the most difficult moments of our historical journey, the Church has been the beacon that preserved national unity, transcending geographic borders to shelter and sustain the entire Diaspora.

As an integral part of this legacy, the Armenian community in Argentina — built through the effort and resilience of the survivors of the Genocide committed by Turkey and consolidated over successive generations — has always regarded its churches as the core of its communal, social and educational life.

Our integration into Argentine society and the preservation of our roots in this country would not have been possible without the institutional and spiritual protection of our Mother Church, which indissolubly unites our present in the Diaspora with the destiny of our homeland of origin.

Based on this profound experience, we denounce as an unacceptable institutional overreach the advance of secular courts into strictly canonical and organizational matters of the Church. This flagrant state intrusion into the ecclesiastical structure distorts the democratic order and directly threatens religious freedom.

At a time when Armenia faces significant geopolitical challenges, the confrontation promoted by the state apparatus directly weakens the resilience of the nation as a whole, breaking the internal cohesion indispensable for the survival of our homeland.

This situation takes on particular urgency ahead of the court hearing set for August 7, at which central aspects of this case will be resolved and which the Armenian community will follow closely.

Therefore, the Armenian community of the Argentine Republic demands the immediate and unconditional annulment of the criminal cases brought against His Holiness Karekin II and the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

Ending this judicial persecution is the only way to safeguard the institutional integrity and dignity of our nation. We demand that the competent authorities cease these hostilities and fully respect the autonomy and historical legacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, guaranteeing the social peace our people demand.

The Armenian community of Argentina will not remain indifferent to the outcome of this case and will actively follow developments, in coordination with Armenian institutions of the Diaspora and international human rights and religious freedom organizations.

IARA – Armenian Institutions of the Argentine Republic