In the wake of the Armenian government’s proposed surveillance legislation, international human rights organizations raise significant alarms regarding potential infringements on privacy and civil liberties. Human Rights Watch (HRW) asserted that this bill could lead to widespread, indiscriminate video surveillance in public areas, thereby creating a chilling effect on fundamental freedoms, such as the right to assembly, association, and expression.
The bill, which has successfully passed its initial parliamentary review, mandates the installation of video surveillance systems that provide 24-hour police access throughout Yerevan. This requirement extends to various private entities, including financial institutions and retail businesses. These systems must offer live video access, record in high resolution, and have capabilities for nighttime surveillance. The recorded footage is to be stored for a minimum of 15 days.
HRW has strongly advised against the adoption of the current bill, urging Armenian authorities to consult with the Venice Commission to ensure compliance with international human rights standards. Armenia, as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, is obligated to respect the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality in privacy infringements.
Further criticism comes from the country’s own Data Protection Agency, which has expressed concern over the “unlimited and continuous processing of personal data,” potentially leading to disproportionate privacy interferences. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also critiques the expansive use of video surveillance, recommending that such measures target specific, legitimate public safety threats.
Despite not explicitly mentioning the use of AI-driven surveillance in the draft amendments, there are indications from government officials about the potential utilization of AI tools to analyze CCTV footage. This brings further concerns, highlighted by EU policy experts, who stress the necessity for stringent limitations on AI’s role in surveillance to protect individual privacy and freedoms. Countries like China and South Korea have already integrated such technologies under the guise of enhancing public safety.
The impending parliamentary vote at the year’s end will determine the future trajectory of this bill, amid growing domestic and international scrutiny over its potential to infringe on civil liberties.