Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights

09/26/2026

His Eminence Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, received Armenian Legal Center Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan at the Prelacy.

The meeting was attended by members of the Western Prelacy Executive Council and representatives of the ARF Western Region Central Committee and the Armenian Legal Center.

Discussions addressed the ongoing legal and advocacy efforts to secure the release of the Armenian hostages unlawfully held in Baku, protect the fundamental rights of the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh, and preserve Artsakh’s Armenian religious and cultural heritage.

The participants reaffirmed the importance of coordinated legal, religious, and community advocacy in the pursuit of justice and accountability for the Armenian people of Artsakh.

09/25/2026

The record must be examined. The law must be tested. Injustice must be challenged.

At UCLA School of Law, Armenian Legal Center Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan presented “An Insider’s View: Unpacking Azerbaijan’s Cases Against Armenian Civilian Leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh.”

The program opened with welcoming remarks by Hadar Harris, Executive Director of the Los Angeles location of the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA.

Sahakyan offered a detailed legal and evidentiary analysis of the cases against the Armenian civilian leaders held in Baku, addressing jurisdiction, non-recognition, individual criminal responsibility, and the broader implications for international law.

She also outlined how students, researchers, academic institutions, and human-rights organizations can help build the record, independently evaluate the proceedings, publish legal research, and pursue avenues for intervention and accountability.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Hadar Harris and the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA Law, as well as the UCLA Law's The Promise Institute for Human Rights (Los Angeles) UCLA Promise Armenian Institute, headed by Professor Ann R. Karagozian, Inaugural Director of the UCLA Promise Armenian Institute, for their leadership and meaningful collaboration in making this important program possible.

Justice requires facts, rigorous legal analysis, and sustained action.

09/25/2026

The Armenian Relief Society, in collaboration with the Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights, held a side event during the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The discussion addressed the ongoing displacement of the Armenian people of Artsakh and their collective right to return to their ancestral homeland safely, voluntarily, with dignity, and without obstruction.

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

🔴 LIVE FROM GENEVA | UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – HRC63

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS), in collaboration with the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, presents:

REFUGEE JUSTICE FOR THE ARMENIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ARTSAKH (NAGORNO-KARABAKH)

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM Pacific | 11:00 AM Eastern | 5:00 PM Geneva
📍 Palais des Nations, Salle XI | Geneva

An international panel will address the fundamental rights of the displaced Armenian population of Artsakh and the right to safe, dignified and collective return, international justice, accountability, property rights, and cultural heritage preservation.

Featuring:
Gayane Khachikian — Moderator
Gassia Nigoghossian Vekilian — Armenian Relief Society
Armine Aleksanyan — Artsakh Rights Committee, Former deputy foreign minister of the Republic of Artsakh
Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, Ph.D. -Argentine diplomat, former president of the ICC, and hoc Judge of the ICJ.
Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Ph.D. — Lemkin Institute
Marina Mesure — Member of the European Parliament
Gegham Stepanyan — Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh

🔴 WATCH LIVE ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/live/1iE2GObi2nc

The rights of the people of Artsakh must remain on the international agenda.

🔴 LIVE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA"Refugee Justice for the ...

09/24/2026

Community members gathered in Burbank for an important town hall with Armenian Legal Center Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan on the continuing legal battle for the release of the Armenian hostages held in Baku and the protection of the rights of the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh.

Master of Ceremonies Annie Bedian welcomed attendees and guided the evening’s program. Levon Baronian, Representative of the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee, delivered remarks on behalf of the organization and reaffirmed the importance of sustained community advocacy.

During her comprehensive presentation, Sahakyan detailed the legal proceedings and advocacy being pursued through international and regional avenues, including cases before the European Court of Human Rights. She discussed the challenges confronting the Armenian hostages, the broader pursuit of accountability, and the ongoing legal struggle to protect the rights of the people of Artsakh.

A substantive question-and-answer session and community discussion followed, providing attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with Sahakyan and better understand the legal and human-rights dimensions of these urgent cases.

The program concluded with blessing remarks by His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan, the longtime former Primate of the Artsakh Diocese.

The Armenian Legal Center remains committed to pursuing every available legal avenue for freedom, justice, accountability, and the right of the people of Artsakh to return to their homeland.

09/23/2026

Armenian Legal Center Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan met with Mayor Ardy Ardashes Kassakhian before addressing the Glendale City Council on the urgent plight of the Armenian hostages held in Baku.

Mayor Kassakhian welcomed Sahakyan and expressed the City’s deep concern for the Armenian hostages who continue to face persecution in Azerbaijani jailes. He reaffirmed Glendale’s support for their immediate release and for the right of the forcibly displaced Armenians of Artsakh to return to their homeland.

Sahakyan detailed the ongoing legal advocacy on behalf of the Armenian hostages before the European Court of Human Rights.

Councilmember emphasized that a government’s most fundamental duty is to protect and advocate its citizens. Councilmember Elen Asatryan likewise affirmed the City’s support for the Armenian Legal Center’s efforts to secure their freedom and defend the rights of the people of Artsakh.

09/23/2026

During her visit to Los Angeles, Armenian Legal Center Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan visited the Armenian American Museum, where Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian hosted the delegation and led a tour of the Museum’s future home.

The visit included a meaningful discussion about Artsakh, its history, and the harrowing experiences of its people. Sahakyan is legal counsel for many forcibly-displaced Artsakhtsis and unlawfully held prisoner-hostages in Baku. She continues to press in international courts, with the support of the ALC, for the return of that which rightfully belongs to the Armenians of Artsakh and for the freedom of Artsakh's imprisoned leaders.

Siranush was accompanied by ALC Board members Steven Dadaian, Esq. and Armen Hovannisian, Esq., who also serves on the Armenian American Museum’s Board of Trustees as a representative of the Armenian Cultural Foundation.

09/22/2026

Armenian Legal Center Executive Director Siranush Sahakyan met with Congresswoman Representative Laura Friedman, Representative of California’s 30th Congressional District.

She was accompanied by ANCA Western Region Board Member Lara Yeretsian, Esq., ANCA-WR Executive Director Ruben Karabetian, and community member Antranik Aboyan.

The delegation discussed urgent human-rights and justice concerns, including the Armenian hostages held in Baku, the rights of the forcibly displaced people of Artsakh, and the importance of continued U.S. engagement.

We extend our appreciation to Congresswoman Friedman for welcoming the delegation and for the thoughtful and substantive discussion.

09/22/2026

This Sunday, we come together for “Bring Them Home,” a fundraising event supporting the Legal Fund established to defend the Armenian hostages imprisoned in Baku and work toward their freedom.

The evening will feature special guest Siranush Sahakyan, Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center and attorney representing Armenian hostages before the European Court of Human Rights.

If you cannot attend in person, please donate through the link: https://givebutter.com/ALC-CICL. Every contribution matters and helps sustain the legal fight for justice, accountability, and the safe return of our compatriots.