Finally we will have the occasion to talk about the rights and freedoms that belong to all of us and are common to all cultures and nations. Our speakers will unveil personal stories and experiences about the level of enjoyment of these rights and shed light on challenges and aspirations for equal justice, equal opportunity and equal dignity without discrimination.
Meet our Speakers
Anahit Simonyan
Anahit Simonyan is the co-founder and director of Human Rights Research Center (HRRC). She was one the main advocators for the adoption of legislation on prohibition of domestic violence in Armenia, as well as several other legislative and policy reforms related to prohibition of violence and discrimination on different grounds. She currently works on several researches and policy papers, including thematic reports to the UN Committee Economic Social and Cultural Rights and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Anahit holds a Master’s Degree in Human Rights and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.
Hakob Karapetyan
Hakob Karapetyan, was born in Yerevan. He has completely lost his sense of sight by the time he was 10 years old. In 1991, he entered № 14 school for the visually impaired after Nikoghayos Tigranyan. From 2002 to 2008, he has studied at YSU Faculty of International Relations, department of Politics. Hakob has published political analysis and other topics in the newspaper ‘De Facto’.
Hakob has worked as an assistant to the head of the educational department at “National Leadership Institute” scientific and cultural NGO. Also he worked as an IT Commander in the Cultural Centre of the Armenian Association of the Blind. In 2016, he has established “Radio Menq”- Internet radio, and was its sole chief editor. Since 2018, Hakob has been working as a history teacher in Amberd, Armavir province.
Avetik Ishkhanyan
Avetik Ishkhanyan graduated from Yerevan State University, the Faculty of Geology in 1977. He has mastered the profession of a geophysicist and has an engineering degree in Geology. He entered post-graduate course at Union Research Institute in Leningrad (Saint Petersburg) in 1984 and defended his doctorate thesis, receiving PhD of Science in Geology and Mining. In 2002 Avetik graduated from Galiq University, the Faculty of Law.
In 1987 together with his supporters Avetik founded and led “Mashtots” educational union. In 1997 he founded “Helsinki Committee of Armenia” Human Rights Protection NGO and has been leading it ever since the foundation. He is a member of Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.
Avetik Ishkhanyan is author of several geological, but also numerous legal, political, scientific, analysis, public works and reports.
Ani Asaturyan
Ani Asaturyan is 17 years old and is currently studying at Aregnazan Educational Complex. She loves listening to music and horse-riding. Her aim is to become a teacher to work in the sphere of inclusive education. And now she is getting ready to enter to Armenian State Pedagogical University.
Siroon Minas
Siroon’s father is Armenian and her mother is Nigerian. Siroon has spent most of her life in Armenia.
She is a Plastic surgery resident at Yerevan Sate Medical University, a model and a motorcycle enthusiast.
Detq
Detq is an Armenian soft rock boy band formed in 2015 by producer Arman AMP. The debut song of the band was called “Mom”.
The word “detq” is a military term, meaning a group consisting of three soldiers, who are in charge of providing security for a given place/object.