Inspiring the Next Generation of Human Rights Advocates

Sergey Ghazinyan (LL.M. ’18) earned his bachelor’s degree in law from Yerevan State University (YSU), followed by his first master’s degree in European studies from YSU and a second master’s degree in the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program from AUA. Currently, he is completing his Ph.D. in law at YSU. Ghazinyan is the Second Vice-President of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. He is engaged in human rights projects of international organizations including Council of Europe, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Migration, International Labour Organization, and United Nations Development Programme. In 2023, he joined AUA as an adjunct lecturer for General Education and the Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice (MAHRSJ) program.

As a student at AUA, Ghazinyan never thought about becoming a professor, but working as a teaching assistant at the University provided insight into the rewarding experience of teaching. As an adjunct lecturer in the MAHRSJ program, he aims to introduce the fundamentals of human rights discipline and provide the knowledge necessary to succeed in any professional career within the sphere. “The human rights discipline is separate from law. It requires more flexibility and skill, which do not characterize lawyers, because a lawyer functions within certain frames of rules. This was especially apparent during the 44-Day War, when there was a need for immediate assistance in the field of human rights. When it comes to advocating for change and better protection of human rights, a background in law is not necessary. This is the main interest of AUA students in the MAHRSJ program, and our courses are tailored to provide the necessary materials for this purpose,” remarked Ghazinyan.

Ghazinyan’s hope for the future of Armenia is to see advancements in the field of human rights. He believes that the MAHRSJ program at AUA can increase the number of human rights defenders and professionals in the field, whether in civil society organizations or the government. Quality education and continuous development of the program is crucial in this mission; designing new relevant courses and hiring experts from abroad, as well as increasing research opportunities to tackle current human right issues, can greatly contribute to the future of AUA students as human rights advocates.