The proposed legislation would require various private entities, including banks, retail stores, and commercial establishments, to install high-resolution CCTV systems
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised serious concerns over a proposed surveillance bill in Armenia, warning that it could severely infringe on privacy rights and civil liberties. The bill, introduced by Armenia’s Interior Ministry, mandates widespread video surveillance across Yerevan, the country’s capital, with 24-hour live access for police to private and public cameras. The Armenian government claims the bill, which amends nine existing laws, is intended to boost public safety, but rights groups argue it could instead suppress basic freedoms.
HRW’s associate director for Europe and Central Asia, Giorgi Gogia, cautioned against the potential dangers of such broad surveillance measures, particularly those involving artificial intelligence (AI) analytics. “Widespread, indiscriminate video surveillance would inevitably lead to unjustified intrusions on privacy and cannot be defended as a measure necessary to improve public security in a democracy. Mass surveillance in public spaces would have a chilling effect on fundamental civil and political rights,” Gogia stated.
In response, HRW is urging Armenian authorities to either withdraw or suspend the bill until it aligns with international human rights standards. They also recommend seeking guidance from the Venice Commission, a legal advisory body of the Council of Europe. Armenia, as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights, is obligated to uphold standards of legality, necessity, and proportionality in any measures that could affect privacy.
The proposed legislation would require various private entities, including banks, retail stores, and commercial establishments, to install high-resolution CCTV systems with capabilities for colour recording, night vision, and external network connectivity. These systems would capture footage up to 30 meters and retain recordings for a minimum of 15 days. The cameras would also have to cover all entrances and sides of the buildings. Once the bill is enacted, police will have continuous, unrestricted access to these surveillance feeds.
Since its introduction, the bill has seen significant progress, gaining government approval in April 2024 and passing its first parliamentary reading in June. A final vote is scheduled for the end of the year.
Armenia’s Data Protection Agency has joined critics, expressing concern over the potential for “unlimited and continuous processing of personal data,” which it believes could lead to a “disproportionate interference” with the right to privacy. Additionally, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) weighed in, warning that such extensive use of surveillance should be narrowly tailored to specific security needs and not applied indiscriminately.
As Armenia moves toward a parliamentary vote, rights advocates stress the importance of balancing public safety with individual freedoms, warning that unchecked surveillance could lead to significant restrictions on civil liberties and stifle open expression and assembly.
