On 15 December, the Ministry of Security issued the “Protocol for the maintenance of public order in the event of roadblocks” (Resolution 943/2023). The protocol established that any demonstration involving street or road blockades constitutes a “crime in flagrante delicto” and enables the security forces to evict or disperse the protest. It also contains provisions to gather information and criminalize and stigmatize the leaders and participants of public demonstrations. IMPUNITY Trials before ordinary civilian courts continued for crimes against humanity committed under the 1976-1983 military regime. Between 2006 and September 2023, 307 rulings were handed down, bringing the total number of convictions to 1,159 and acquittals to 178. At the end of the year, a sentence by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights was still pending regarding the impunity over the bombing of the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish centre in 1994. RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Although Argentina took measures to reduce its emissions in sectors such as transportation and construction, it focused its energy strategy on fossil fuels, which prevented the country from reaching its climate targets due to increased emissions. 1. “Argentina: Woman disappeared amid possible femicide”, 3 July 2. “One dead, three years, no arrests: no justice for Mauro Coronel”, 1 September (Spanish only) 3. “Argentina: Violent repression and criminalization in response to protests in Jujuy”, 5 October ARMENIA Republic of Armenia Law enforcement officers used unlawful force during anti-government protests. Journalists faced harassment and violence from government supporters. No progress 82 was reported in investigating war crimes and other crimes under international law during the armed conflict with Azerbaijan in 2020. Discrimination against LGBTI people remained commonplace. Several lawyers reported being ill-treated while visiting clients in detention. Environmental activists continued to face harassment. The death penalty was abolished in all circumstances. BACKGROUND Public discontent and protests grew over the government’s handling of tensions with neighbouring Azerbaijan, including Azerbaijan’s blockade and military takeover of its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region populated by ethnic Armenians (see Azerbaijan entry). An influx of more than 100,000 refugees from Azerbaijan’s NagornoKarabakh region added to economic and humanitarian hardships. Relations with Russia, which Armenia had regarded as its security guarantor, sharply deteriorated, while the economy remained heavily dependent on Russia, including for basic imports and remittances. In December, Armenia freed two Azerbaijani prisoners of war after agreeing to work towards a peace deal with Azerbaijan. EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE Street protests were widespread, with incidents of violence by protesters as well as unnecessary, disproportionate and sometimes indiscriminate use of force by the police regularly reported. On 19 September, thousands gathered in the capital, Yerevan, to demand the resignation of the prime minister and protest against Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh. Some protesters broke windows in government buildings and clashed with police. The Helsinki Committee of Armenia, an NGO monitoring the protests, reported that police at times used “disproportionate and indiscriminate force” including beatings and firing stun grenades directly into the crowd without warning. More than 140 protesters were reportedly detained and more than 30 were injured. Most protesters were released without charge, The State of the World’s Human Rights