Siranush Sahakyan briefs Toronto Armenian community on Armenian prisoners held in Baku

TORONTO— Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan met with members of the Greater Toronto Armenian community on Tuesday evening, October 6, for a town hall discussion on Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, the politically driven proceedings against them and the continuing legal efforts to defend their rights.

Held at the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto, the event was jointly organized by the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) and the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights.

Sahakyan, President of the International and Comparative Law Center and Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center, provided a detailed assessment of the legal and humanitarian situation facing Armenian prisoners in Baku. She discussed the nature of the proceedings against them, the conditions under which they are being held and the cases being pursued through international legal mechanisms, including the European Court of Human Rights.

ANCC Communications Director Lorig Korajian delivered the opening remarks, stressing the importance of keeping the issue of the Armenian prisoners prominent in community advocacy and broader public engagement. She also introduced Sahakyan and highlighted her extensive work in international human rights law and in representing Armenian prisoners and their families.

In her presentation, Sahakyan examined the serious deficiencies surrounding the trials taking place in Azerbaijan, where basic standards of due process and fair trial have been systematically undermined. She addressed the use of military courts in cases involving civilian defendants, restrictions on defence preparation and access to legal counsel, and the reliance on politically constructed narratives rather than individualized evidence and responsibility.

Sahakyan also outlined the conditions under which Armenian prisoners are being held, including the absence of family visits and consular access, as well as restrictions affecting confidential communication with international legal counsel. She noted that the lack of meaningful independent access further complicates efforts to verify detention conditions and ensure an effective legal defence.

A substantial portion of the presentation focused on proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights and the broader legal strategy being pursued on behalf of Armenian detainees and their families. Sahakyan explained the importance of international legal mechanisms in challenging violations, documenting abuses and establishing responsibility for breaches of fundamental rights.

She also presented the work of the Armenian Legal Center in documenting violations, supporting international litigation and advancing sustained legal and advocacy efforts on behalf of Armenian prisoners.

Following her presentation, Sahakyan responded to questions from community members on the legal, humanitarian and political dimensions of the prisoners’ cases, as well as the obstacles facing efforts to protect their rights and secure their release.

The Toronto town hall was part of Sahakyan’s visit to Canada, during which she is meeting with Armenian community representatives, Canadian officials and other stakeholders to draw greater attention to the continued detention of Armenians in Azerbaijan and the serious legal and human rights concerns surrounding their cases.