Siranush Sahakyan, director of the International and Comparative Law Center and the Armenia office of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, met with representatives of Toronto’s Armenian community in Toronto. During the meeting, Sahakyan informed participants about the legal and humanitarian situation of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan, the course of the “trials” conducted against them and the associated legal issues, concerns regarding those proceedings, and the international legal processes aimed at protecting their rights.
The meeting addressed guarantees of due process and a fair trial, including opportunities to prepare a defense, access to a lawyer, and individualized evidence. The use of military courts in cases involving civilians and other restrictions within the proceedings were also discussed.
Sahakyan also addressed guarantees of dye processes and fair trial, including opportunities to prepare a defense, access to a lawyer, and individualized evidence. The use of military courts in cases involving civilians and other restrictions within the proceedings were also discussed.
Sahakyan also addressed detention conditions and problems concerning access for international monitoring, particularly restrictions on visits by family members, consular access, and confidential communication with international lawyers, which, according to the assessment presented, create additional difficulties both in assessing detention conditions and in enduring effective legal protection.
Addressing the ongoing proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights, Sahakyan presented the work being carried out through international legal mechanisms to protect the rights of Armenians, document violations, and ensure legal accountability.
At the end of the meeting, Sahakyan answered questions from community representatives, addressing the legal and humanitarian issues surrounding the cases of Armenian captives, the possibilities offered by international legal processes, and the work aimed at protecting their rights.
Such meetings provide an opportunity to present the issues raised in international legal forums to representatives of the Armenian community and other stakeholders as well, thereby increasing awareness within the Armenian community.
The public discussion held on October 6 at the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto was jointly organized by the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) and the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights.
