About Us
An informal, non-partisan group of experts observing and analyzing democratic conditions in Armenia.
About the Initiative
The IODA is an informal, non-partisan group of experts established to observe and analyze democratic conditions in Armenia in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections and the subsequent post-election period. The Initiative was launched by Philippe Kalfayan in consultation with its founding members and relevant stakeholders. Its members include individuals with backgrounds in democracy support, governance, rule of law, human rights, and civil society.
The Initiative does not conduct formal election monitoring and does not endorse political actors or institutions. Instead, it provides independent analysis of democratic processes and civic space based on verified information, contextual expertise, and direct engagement with local stakeholders.
IODA’s activities are financed primarily through contributions raised from Armenian-American individuals and private foundations based in the United States. In addition, the Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights (ALC) has provided limited institutional support amounting to USD 7,000 for certain current activities. Members contribute voluntarily and are not compensated for their time or expertise.
Our Principles
Independence: We maintain complete independence from political parties and institutions, ensuring our analysis remains objective and credible.
Non-Partisanship: We do not endorse any political actors or take positions on partisan matters. Our focus is on democratic processes and civic space.
Evidence-Based Analysis: Our assessments are based on verified information, direct engagement with stakeholders, and contextual expertise.
Transparency: We communicate our findings openly through public statements, press engagements, and online platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
• What is the goal of IODA?
The International Observatory for Democracy in Armenia (IODA) has been established as an independent, ad hoc monitoring and analytical body tasked with observing, documenting, and reporting on political and institutional developments that may affect democratic governance and electoral integrity in advance of Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections. Because others will be monitoring the polling on election day, IODA will focus on the pre-electoral period.
• Who leads IODA?
The Initiative is guided by a seven-member Executive Board. It also approves collectively all public statements. The Executive Board is composed of personalities selected for their demonstrated expertise in democratic governance, rule of law, human rights and/or electoral processes. They are all serving voluntarily without remuneration.
• Why did you engage into this initiative?
The June 7 parliamentary election represents a critical phase in Armenia’s democratic trajectory.
• What are your funding sources?
IODA’s activities are financed primarily through contributions raised from Armenian-American individuals and private foundations based in the United States. In addition, the Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights (ALC) has provided limited institutional support amounting to USD 7,000 for certain current activities. ALC is not involved in the domestic politics of Armenia: ALC core missions are to seek a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, to defend the right of the people of Artsakh to return to their native land, and the legal defense of Armenians unfairly tried and sentenced in Azerbaijan.
• Who did you meet with?
During the 7-12 March mission in Armenia, IODA board members met a wide spectrum of non-governmental organizations, think tanks and representative of foreign foundations. IODA had meetings with state bodies (Supreme Judicial Council, Central Electoral Commission, Investigative Committee, Anti-corruption Committee and Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Armenia). A meeting was also held with H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. Meetings were organized with political parties represented at the Parliament (“With Dignity” and ‘Hayasdan”) and extra-parliamentary parties (“Strong Armenia”, “Hayakve”, “Prosperous Armenia”, “Armenian National Congress”, “Wings of Unity”, “Heritage Party”, “European Party of Armenia” and “Homeland Party”). The delegation also met with the lawyers representing political prisoners and clergymen, the Chamber of Advocates and the Union of Judges. Finally, there was a meeting with the Council of Europe delegation in Armenia. Despite many formal letters and personal messages attempting to meet with “Civil Contract” party at the Parliament, the delegation regrets that the party leadership not only did not respond but later claimed to a journalist of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that they had not been contacted. The Constitutional Court declined to meet with the delegation.
• Did you meet with the government?
The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs declined IODA’s repeated requests to meet. IODA plans to seek a meeting with the prime minister on its next visit to the country.
• What are your next steps?
Having focused during the first visit on Yerevan, we plan to conduct a second fact-finding mission into the regions.