Siranush Sahakyan discusses Armenian prisoners and international law with Carleton University students

OTTAWA— Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan met with undergraduate and graduate students at Carleton University on Wednesday, October 7, for an interactive discussion on the plight of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan and the role of international law in addressing human rights violations.

Organized through Carleton University’s Eastern Europe and Transatlantic Network (EETN), in collaboration with the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies and the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) initiative, the session brought together students interested in international law, politics and human rights research.

Sahakyan, President of the International and Comparative Law Center and Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, offered first-hand insights into the politically motivated trials of Armenian prisoners in Baku, ongoing litigation before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and the broader challenges of pursuing accountability through international legal mechanisms.

The discussion also examined the intersection of state politics and international human rights obligations, as well as the rights of the displaced Armenian population of Artsakh. Students had an opportunity to engage directly with Sahakyan, raising questions about the effectiveness and limitations of international courts in addressing violations following armed conflict.

Special thanks are extended to Professor Jeff Sahadeo of Carleton University for facilitating this valuable academic exchange and providing students with an opportunity to engage directly with one of the leading legal advocates working on behalf of Armenian prisoners.