The Armenian Bar Association made a major impact at the 2025 International Religious Freedom
Summit, held from February 3-5, 2025, in the nation’s capital. This annual event draws over 90
organizations from more than 30 faith traditions, dedicated to protecting the fundamental right to
religious freedom. It serves as a critical platform for global leaders and advocates to discuss and
address the urgent challenges of religious persecution and restrictions worldwide. On the second
day of the summit, U.S. Vice President JD Vance was the plenary speaker.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Armenian Bar Association joined a broad-based assembly of
Armenian clergy, historians, and journalists to present a unified message on matters impacting
Armenians globally. The focus at this year’s summit was on the illegal detention of Armenian
hostages and political prisoners in Azerbaijan, the widespread destruction of religious and cultural
sites in Artsakh, and the continuing threats to those that remain.
Sonya Nersessian, former Chair of the Armenian Bar and chief organizer of the Association’s
delegation, was a prominent panelist at the summit. Nersessian addressed the legal frameworks
and international mechanisms that could be employed to protect and promote Armenian cultural
identity—encompassing language, religious practices, and historical sites—within the context of
Azerbaijani law and international human rights standards, particularly in the Artsakh region.
The Armenian Bar Association’s substantial input at the 2025 summit reaffirms its steadfast
commitment to human rights, the protection of religious freedoms, and the preservation of cultural
heritage. Throughout the event, the Association engaged in important discussions on safeguarding
sacred sites, supporting religious minorities, and finding solutions to end the suffering of those
unjustly detained in Azerbaijani prisons.
As a leading advocate for justice and human rights, the Armenian Bar Association continues to
recognize the crucial role that civil society plays in advancing international religious freedom. The
summit provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic and diverse coalition of
organizations, all united in their mission to defend religious liberty around the world.
Media Contact:
Armenian Bar Association
Phone: 818-660-6898
Email: info@ArmenianBar.org
About the Armenian Bar Association:
Founded in 1989, the Armenian Bar Association is the largest and most prominent network of
North American attorneys and legal professionals committed to advancing the legal rights of the
Armenian community. The Association advocates for justice and equality, provides pro bono
legal services, and fosters professional development for its members.
