On September 19, 2023, hundreds of thousands of Armenians were forced to leave their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh, becoming forcibly displaced. As a result of these tragic events, many families faced complex legal issues, one of which was the loss of documents. While many of their stories were similar, each had its own peculiarities.
Ararat Harutyunyan and his wife met with a lawyer from the Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) at their temporary residence. This meeting took place during a community visit within the framework of the “Strengthening Protection Mechanisms for the Rights of Forcibly Displaced Persons from Nagorno-Karabakh” project. The last few months had been an endless nightmare for Ararat and his wife: forced displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh, loss of their home, and now the absence of birth certificates – the last proof of their identity. This visit initiated by ALA was a glimmer of hope for them in solving their legal issues.
Ararat began to tell their story, explaining how they lost their documents during the displacement.
The lawyer listened attentively and explained the importance of restoring birth certificates from a legal perspective.
“A birth certificate is the foundation of your legal existence,” said the lawyer. “Without it, you will face numerous obstacles.”
The lawyer presented a series of legal issues arising from the absence of birth certificates.
Ararat and his wife realized that without birth certificates, they seemed to not exist in the eyes of the state. This realization increased their determination.
Over the next few weeks, Ararat and his wife worked with ALA, collecting necessary documents and establishing contact with relevant authorities. The process sometimes seemed hopeless, but ALA’s support gave them the strength to continue.
Finally, their efforts were crowned with success.
“This is more than just a document, it’s the key to our rights and opportunities,” said Ararat.
This story once again demonstrated the important role of ALA in the lives of forcibly displaced persons and highlighted the importance of legal documents in protecting human rights.
The lawyer concluded: “Our mission is to ensure that every person has the opportunity to exercise their rights. Restoring a birth certificate is the first step towards full legal protection.”