Government Failure, Crimes against Humanity, and the Role of the International Criminal Court

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YEREVAN, Armenia – The Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) Program at American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences organized a seminar titled, “Government Failure, Atrocity Crimes and the Role of the International Criminal Court: Why not Syria, but Libya.” The seminar, which took place on October 28, was led by Professor Hovhannes Nikoghosyan, PSIA Adjunct Lecturer, and specialist in human rights and international security.

About 40 people were in attendance at the seminar that examined why the UN and the international community intervened to stop atrocities in Libya, but not in Syria.  One of Dr. Nikoghosyan’s research interests is to identify the factors that lead to, slow, or stop “trans-border” use of force to stop mass atrocity crimes.  According to Nikoghosyan, a sound foundation has emerged to suggest that genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and ethnic cleansings are of erga omnes character, which means all states have to answer to these crimes and have obligations towards the community of states as a whole. Moreover, Nikoghosyan maintains that the International Criminal Court has been emerging as a capable and legitimate institution for bringing the most odious perpetrators to justice and providing legal background for the use of force against ‘manifestly failed’ governments.

Nikoghosyan holds a PhD in Political Science (2011) from the Russian Armenian (Slavonic) University. Before joining AUA in January 2015, he worked as Visiting Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, was the Magdalena Yesil Visiting Scholar at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, and has completed an advanced certificate program at the Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Nikoghosyan also co-authored a report, “Global problems for global governance,” published by the Valdai Discussion Club in September 2014.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.