SWLAW Blog | Diversity

Image - Dignitaries from Republics of Armenia and Artsakh

July 2, 2019

Southwestern Welcomes Dignitaries from the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh

On July 1st, 2019, Southwestern hosted distinguished guests from the Republic of Armenia and Republic of Artsakh, along with Board members of the Armenian Bar Association, for a visit. 

Vice Dean Dov Waisman and Professor Anahid Gharakanian met with the following dignitaries to explore possible opportunities for collaboration, relating to legal education and protection of human rights: 

  • Dr. Arman Tatoyan - Human Rights Defender, Republic of Armenia
  • Artak Beglaryan - Human Rights Ombudsman, Republic of Artsakh
  • Robert Avetisyan - Permanent Representative of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic in the U.S
Image - Armenian Dignitaries
(L-R) Dr. Arman Tatoyan, Human Rights Defender, Republic of Armenia; Artak Beglaryan, Human Rights Ombudsman, Artsakh Republic; Robert Avetisyan, Artsakh’s Permanent Representative to the U.S.

Following the meeting with Professor Gharakhanian and Vice Dean Waisman, the group visited the Dean’s Office and met briefly with Dean Susan Westerberg Prager.

Southwestern alumni Gerard V. Kassabian '01 and Lucy Varpetian '96 were also in attendance as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Armenian Bar Association. 

Image - Armenian Bar Association Chair & Vice-Chair
(L) Lucy Varpetian '96, Vice-Chair of the Armenian Bar Association;  (R) Gerard V. Kassabian '01, Chair of the Armenian Bar Association

"Today, new seeds were planted for an impactful collaboration between Southwestern Law School, the Armenian Bar Association, and the respective offices of the Human Rights Defenders of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh (aka Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh) to focus on human rights issues in the Caucuses region."  

- Gerard V. Kassabian '01, Chair of the Armenian Bar Association

Thank you to our esteemed guests for their visit and for their participation in fostering this meaningful partnership.