Baroness Caroline Cox and Dr. John Eibner Speak With AUA Students

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On September 14, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted an engaging discussion with Baroness Caroline Cox and Dr. John Eibner. The discussion was initiated within the framework of the undergraduate Introduction to Human Rights course taught by Arman Tatoyan, professor and interim chair of the Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice program at AUA. The distinguished guest speakers shared their insights on human rights and humanitarian issues in Armenia and Artsakh. Joining them were Sam Mason, CEO of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART); David Thomas, project logistics at HART; and Dr. Joel Veldkamp, head of international communications at Christian Solidarity International (CSI).

In his introduction, Tatoyan shared with the audience that Lady Cox has made over 80 fact-finding trips to Armenia and Artsakh to bring the world’s attention to the atrocities committed against the Armenian people in Artsakh and Armenia, as well as their resilience. She was the first international official who visited Artsakh immediately after the 44-day war and prepared a report that she presented to the international community. As part of her current trip to Armenia, she paid a fact-finding visit to Syunik province; in the Tegh community, she could observe the unlawful blockade of Artsakh and associated human rights violations. 

The founder of HART, Lady Cox, is a crossbench member of the British House of Lords, served as its deputy speaker, and held ministerial positions in the government. She was conferred the title of Baroness as a Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II. She has served as founder chancellor of Bournemouth University, chancellor of Liverpool Hope University, and honorary vice president of the Royal College of Nursing. Beyond her role as a member of the House of Lords, she is a staunch advocate for Armenia and Artsakh. Her unwavering support for Armenia and Artsakh led her to travel to Artsakh in the early 1990s as well as immediately after the 44-day war and report on her observations of the situation on the ground.

Dr. Eibner, the international president of CSI, is a historian who co-authored with Lady Cox the book Ethnic Cleansing in Progress, War in Nagorno Karabakh. His deep commitment to and advocacy of human rights has motivated him to personally observe and bring attention to the ethnic cleansing in the region. 

Lady Cox and Dr. Eibner shared powerful first-hand stories highlighting not only the atrocities committed but also the resilience and dignity of the Armenian people in Armenia and Artsakh. They recounted their experiences, including the profound impact of witnessing the suffering of the Armenian population in Artsakh. Lady Cox’s incredible dedication was underscored by the fact that she has visited Artsakh 88 times and will not waver from her commitment to Armenia and Artsakh.

Students had the opportunity to pose questions and further engage the speakers. They inquired about why the international community has not intervened and how to effectively voice their concerns with the international community to demand concrete action. The speakers emphasized the importance of raising awareness and speaking out against human rights violations, turning this into a universal issue demanding global attention. 

The event concluded with a standing ovation from the attendees, echoing a message of gratitude to Lady Cox and Mr. Eiberner for their decades of advocacy on behalf of Armenia and  Artsakh. Expressing the University’s heartfelt gratitude, Adaleida Baghdasaryan, chair of the Master of Laws program, thanked Lady Cox and Dr. Eibner and introduced a student and an alumnus who presented the guests with symbolic gifts as an expression of the University’s deep respect and gratitude for their efforts in shedding light on the human rights and humanitarian issues in Armenia and Artsakh. Before departing the University, Lady Cox and Dr. Eibner paid their respects to the memorial to the seven AUA students who lost their lives during the 44-day war. 

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 and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.