DISINFO: Report shows how Europeans plan to interfere in Armenia’s internal affairs
SUMMARY
According to a report, Europeans plan to intervene in Armenia's internal affairs. The Council of Europe has announced a search for specialists to assist in a project aimed at promoting human rights within the Armenian Armed Forces. Contractors will revise the regulatory framework, and military and law enforcement officers will start applying European standards in their work.
RESPONSE
Disinformation presenting diplomatic cooperation as interference and casting the Council of Europe in a negative light. (NB: The Council of Europe; founded in 1949 and having Russia as a member until recently, is not to be confused with the European Union body: the European Council.)
The mentioned plan has not been published in the regional section of the website of the Council of Europe. However, this project is very similar to others previously funded and promoted by this institution, of which Armenia is a full member.
Contrary to what this disinformation story states, adhering to this project, prepared in full accordance with the Armenian government, does not mean promoting so-called “European standards” but the human rights standards to which Armenia agreed when it joined the Council of Europe, and is meant to help the country fulfil its obligations as a member state of the Organisation.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that the EU mission to Armenia serves to oust Russia and Iran, that the purpose of EU monitors in Armenia is to spy on Russian troops, that the EU Mission to Armenia was deployed by force and has nothing to do with peace, or that the West is likely behind the recent escalation between Azerbaijan and Armenia.