AUA Program Chair Wins French Award for Human Rights

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YEREVAN, Armenia — Siranush Sahakyan, Master of Human Rights and Social Justice program chair, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was recently awarded the “Prix Jean–Claude Barral de la Défense et des Droits de l’homme” by the Barreau de Montpellier bar association. The award is bestowed upon human rights defenders in honor of Jean-Claude Barral who has taken a hard stance on human rights violations around the world. Sahakyan has been representing victims of human rights violations before international bodies for the past 12 years and has played a seminal role in efforts to bring justice to the Caucasus region. 

Sahakyan’s influential role in the defense of human rights law for Armenians began in 2013 when she litigated on behalf of the family of Gurgen Margaryan against Azerbaijan and Hungary for these states’ failure to seek a prison sentence for the ethnic hate crime committed. Since then, she has brought before international courts nearly a dozen cases, all of which have been confirmed and recognized as evidence that ultimately seek justice for Armenians and Armenia. Her most recent humanitarian work has centered around the 44-day Artsakh War for which she has collected evidence duly documenting the human rights and humanitarian law violations, as well as, litigated before the European Court of Human Rights and UN mechanisms for the treatment of prisoners of war, their families, and individuals who have been victims of war crimes. 

Her tireless work was recognized by the Barreau de Montpellier for her dedication to human rights and pursuit of justice. Currently she holds a leading role at the International and Comparative Law Center in Armenia and is the co-founder of the Path of Law NGO. 

In many ways, Sahakyan’s successes run parallel to AUA’s growth in this domain, for it was after the 44-day war that the University established the graduate degree program in human rights and social justice creating a fitting platform for students to learn from her extensive work in human rights. We applaud Siranush Sahakyan on her recent accolade and for her efforts during the 44-day war, the September 13 and 14 attacks, and now the Lachin blockade, as well as her sustained dedication to AUA. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.