Renowned Armenian human rights attorney Siranush Sahakyan recently completed a highly impactful tour on the West Coast, organized and hosted by the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC). Her visit, which focused on raising awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis involving Armenian prisoners of war (POWs), hostages, and political prisoners held in Azerbaijan, included several key engagements with the Armenian-American community.
One of the major highlights of Sahakyan’s tour was her appearance at the ACF Beshir Mardirossian Youth Center in Burbank, CA, on October 3, 2024, for an urgent discussion on the plight of Armenian detainees. This event, hosted in collaboration with the ARF “Aghbalian” Chapter, attracted widespread community interest, underscoring the dire need for international action to address the situation. During this event, Sahakyan provided a detailed account of the inhumane conditions endured by Armenian POWs and highlighted the significant legal and political challenges involved in securing their release. She emphasized the importance of international intervention and urged the community to support efforts aimed at holding Azerbaijan accountable for these violations.
Earlier in the tour, Sahakyan engaged with students and faculty at the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Los Angeles. She spoke about the critical role of international law and human rights advocacy in defending Armenia’s interests and encouraged young Armenians to become more involved in global justice issues. The interaction with students aimed to inspire the next generation of leaders to stay informed about their heritage and the legal battles currently underway to protect Armenian rights.
At another event hosted by the Armenian Legal Center, Sahakyan discussed the cases she has brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) related to the Armenian POWs. She provided insight into the complex geopolitical context and the international legal mechanisms she is leveraging to challenge Azerbaijan’s actions. The Armenian-American diaspora responded positively to these discussions, expressing solidarity and support for Sahakyan’s tireless efforts.
During an interview with Horizon Armenian TV, Sahakyan expanded on her work, highlighting the geopolitical challenges and human rights abuses that continue to affect Armenians post-war. Her remarks underlined the ongoing struggle for justice and the need for continued legal action against Azerbaijan. The Armenian Legal Center facilitated these engagements, reaffirming its commitment to seeking justice for Armenians affected by the conflict.
Sahakyan’s West Coast tour successfully raised awareness of the legal efforts being undertaken to address these pressing humanitarian issues, leaving a lasting impression on the Armenian-American community. Her visit underscored the need for continued advocacy, international pressure, and legal action to bring justice to the Armenian prisoners and to ensure accountability for war crimes.
