Peace Dialogue, an NGO based in Armenia, has published its Annual Review for 2023-2024, highlighting its efforts, achievements, and continued dedication to promoting human rights, peace, democracy, and fostering dialogue in conflict-affected societies. The NGO’s commitment to peace, inclusion and a multi-stakeholder approach stood out in the numerous projects they have implemented during the past two years ranging from advancing the rights of prisoners of war to developing inclusive oversight of security to fostering human rights and a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The work of Peace Dialogue has been considerable during this period and the Annual Review provides a comprehensive overview of the projects in which they have engaged and it also highlights the achievements of the organisation. These include a report published in 2023 titled “The Legal Status of Former Prisoners of War in the Republic of Armenia” which outlined international legal standards for ensuring the rights of former prisoners of war and included ten key recommendations sent to relevant stakeholders.
State institutions provided feedback on the recommendations to support future collaboration for protecting the rights of repatriated prisoners of war. The Human Rights Defender’s Office praised the report for effectively addressing existing challenges by combining international practices with domestic regulations. It also expressed a willingness to collaborate with Peace Dialogue to identify systemic issues and develop targeted solutions in the field.
Peace Dialogue also made a significant contribution with its human rights recommendations. As a member of the Coordinating Council for Armenia’s 2023-2025 Action Plan deriving from the National Strategy for Human Rights Protection, Peace Dialogue submitted a comprehensive package of 24 recommendations. These proposals were the result of an in-depth analysis conducted by Peace Dialogue’s monitoring group, which has been overseeing defence sector-related actions under the National Strategy since 2015. Out of the 24 recommendations, seven were incorporated into the final 2023-2025 Action Plan.
In 2024, Peace Dialogue also marked a significant achievement by joining the Expert Council on Servicemen’s Rights under Armenia’s Human Rights Defender. The council was established to address human rights challenges within the defence and security sectors, with a focus on protecting the rights of servicemen, conscripts, and their families. It aims to identify systemic issues, propose solutions, and promote greater civil society engagement in safeguarding servicemen’s rights. This partnership underscores Peace Dialogue’s commitment to advancing human rights and driving meaningful reforms in Armenia’s defence sector.
In 2023, Peace Dialogue hosted a pivotal multi-stakeholder meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia, bringing together Armenian and Azerbaijani civil society representatives, experts, and peace practitioners. The event focused on analysing post-2020 narratives and dominant discourses surrounding the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, many of which were highly relevant to ongoing developments. Discussions on the Lachin corridor, a vital lifeline connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, took place as the blockade was already underway, raising urgent concerns about its humanitarian consequences. These fears culminated in the September 2023 mass exodus of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. Similarly, the so-called “Zangezur Corridor”, a proposed transport route through Armenia linking Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhichevan, was scrutinised for its geopolitical implications and its potential to heighten tensions.
Last summer, Peace Dialogue organised a pivotal multi-stakeholder discussion titled “Mapping and Addressing the Needs of Conflict-Affected Groups in Armenia: Hopes, Fears, and Expectations in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process.” This event convened government officials, parliamentarians, civil society representatives, think tanks, experts, and international partners to amplify the voices of those directly impacted by the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The dialogue aimed to develop proactive strategies addressing their needs, contributing to a comprehensive and sustainable peace grounded in democracy, human rights, and dignity.
Key discussions included updates on the peace process, geopolitical challenges, and human security issues faced by conflict-affected communities. Notably, the event featured insights from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union Special Representative, and the European Union Mission in Armenia. This initiative highlighted Peace Dialogue’s dedication to promoting dialogue and collaboration as essential steps toward achieving lasting peace in the region.
During this period, Peace Dialogue also worked with young people providing a platform that yielded transformative outcomes in local communities and equipping young people with tools to independently lead peer trainings and address community conflicts.
The Annual Review quotes Peace Dialogue President Edgar Khachatryan saying that, despite the challenging conflict dynamics, Peace Dialogue remained committed to fostering dialogue between representatives of societies across the conflict divide. Khachatryan insists that cross-border peace initiatives are a cornerstone of Peace Dialogue’s work, fostering understanding, trust, and collaboration between communities on both sides of the conflict.
In his opening remarks for the Annual Review, Khachatryan states that the forced displacement of the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, combined with broader geopolitical turbulence in the region and global challenges, has profoundly shaped the work of Peace Dialogue and impacted the lives of those supported by the NGO. These dynamics have reshaped perceptions of democracy and human rights, intensifying security concerns across Armenia and the South Caucasus region. Khacatryan added that, as security grows increasingly fragile, many have begun to question whether democracy can truly provide safety, while authoritarian regimes promote narratives that glorify military might and seek to undermine democratic principles.
