I.    EDUCATION 

University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia PA
Master of Laws, LL.M (08/2012 – 05/2013)

University of Pennsylvania Business (Wharton) School, Philadelphia PA
Business and Law Certificate Program, the Wharton School Executive Education (09/2012-12/2012)

University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia PA
Award: Distinguished Member of the Penn Law LL.M Class of 2013 (05/2013)

Yerevan State University, Law Faculty, Republic of Armenia
Post-graduate study, dissertation in the Russian language (09/2004 – 06/2007)
Department of Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics, Law Faculty

Academic degree: Doctor of Law (Ph.D. in Law), Associate professor 

Yerevan State University, Law Faculty, Republic of Armenia
Master of Jurisprudence (Diploma – summa cum laude) (09/2002 – 06/2004)
Department of Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics

Yerevan State University, Law Faculty, Republic of Armenia
Bachelor of Law (Diploma – summa cum laude) (09/1998 – 06/2002)

II.    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director of the Foundation “Tatoyan”
Center for Law and Justice (06/2022 – to present)

The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia (2016-2022)
Head of the United Nations: 1) OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism; 2) CRC National Mechanism; 3) CRPD National Mechanism

Elected by the Parliament with wide consensus of all factions and served full mandate [6 years].

“A” status institution; full compliance with UN Paris Principles (reaccreditation in 2019).

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), Council of Europe 
Member, elected by the Committee of Ministers (12/2011 – 11/2013; 01/2020 – present)

American University of Armenia
Professor of Law (09/2013 to present) 
Academic Courses (in English)

European Court of Human Rights
Ad hoc Judge (06/2016 – 09/2019)

Ministry of Justice of Armenia 
Deputy Minister (11/2013 – 02/2016)

Deputy Representative (Deputy Agent) of Armenia’s Government 
before the European Court of Human Rights (11/2013 – 02/2016)

Council of Europe, Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
International Adviser/Expert (03/2013 – 01/2019)
Public Monitoring Commissions (PMC) and Torture Prevention in Russia

Yerevan State University, Faculty of Law 
Department of Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics
Visiting Professor (09/2005 – 05/2021, 09/2022 to present) 

Academy of Justice of Armenia
Visiting Professor (01/2014 – 05/2017) 

International Review Mechanism for the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), UNODC
Member of the International Expert Team in respect of Armenia (10/2010 – 11/2013)
On-site visits to the UNCAC member-states

Working Group: Drafting the New Criminal Procedure Code, under the Decree of Armenia’s President 
Member (09/2010 – 05/2020)

Working Group for Drafting the new Anti-Corruption Strategy of Armenia
Member/Representative from the Ministry of Justice (11/2013 – 04/2014)

Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia
Adviser to the President and the Court (04/2010 – 11/2013)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Armenia
Supporting Integrated Border Management (IBM) in the South Caucasus (EU funded)   
Coordinator of Legal Component/Expert (05/2010-07/2012)

OSCE Office in Yerevan/Human Rights Unit 
Program on Prosecution Service Reform

 The RA Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM)
Director/Coordinator (03/2009-03/2011)

UNDP programme for the RA Human Rights Defender on the Analysis of the RA Penitentiary Code 
vis-à-vis International Law and Human Rights instruments (EU funded)
Coordinator/Team Leader of the Legal Task Force (05/2010-10/2010)

Casals and Associates, Inc., a Virginia Corporation, USAID Armenia Office 
Anti-Corruption Strategy Monitoring Commission of the Republic of Armenia  
Legal Consultant (04/2010-06/2010)

UNHCR Armenia Office 
Programme on Strengthening Protection Capacity Project in Southern Caucasus
National Legal Consultant, Part-time (09/2009 – 12/2009)

Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia 
Programme on Protecting and Ensuring Right to a Fair Trial in Armenia 
Coordinator/Leader of the Criminal Justice Component (04/2009 – 09/2009)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Armenia
South Caucasus Anti-Drug Programme, Phase V (Funded by EU)
Coordinator of Legal Component/Expert (12/2007 – 08/2009)

Association of Judges of Armenia 
Training Course for Judges on the Right to Liberty and Security under the European Convention on Human Rights (5th Article) and the ECtHR Case-law
Trainer (07/2008)

School of Prosecutor’s Office of Armenia  
Training Course for Prosecutors on Human Rights in Pre-trial Investigation and the ECHR Standards
Trainer (06/2008 – 12/2008)

Cassation Court of Armenia, Criminal Chamber  
Adviser to the Chairman (03/2007 – 12/2007)

Human Rights Defender’s Office of Armenia 
Department of Reinstatement of Criminal Procedure and Military Servicemen Rights 
Senior Legal Specialist (05/2004 – 03/2007)

Environmental Public Advocacy Centre (EPAC) NGO – Yerevan, Armenia
Legal Expert (01/2003 – 05/2004)

III.    MAIN INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS, TRAININGS AND VISITS

High-level meetings and consultations at the EU Parliament and EU Commission; EEAS – Brussels, Belgium (02/2017; 02/2022)

High-level meetings with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe; the General Directors of CoE General Directorates, the Commissioner for Human Rights and the President of the European Court of Human Rights – Strasbourg, France (05/2016; 01/2017; 05/2018; 12/2021)

Panellist and Reporter at the Annual High-level Conference on Exchange of International Best Experiences organized by the Russian Federal Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson); sessions of the Eurasian Alliance of Ombudspersons; delivering presentation at State Duma – Moscow, Russia (12/2017; 12/2018; 12/2019; 12/2021)

Mission to California at the invitation of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) to receive “Human Rights Champion” Award; meetings with Lieutenant-Governor of California; California Senator; Armenian Diaspora – Los Angeles, Glendale (11/2021)

Joint visit to Russian prisons [together with Ombudspersons from Serbia, BiH, etc.] and participation in international events at the invitation of the Russian Federal Ombudsperson – Moscow, Russia (09/2021)

At the invitation of the French Government and Council of Europe delivered a special presentation on Armenia’s NHRI experience [together with French NHRI] at special session of the CoE Committee of Ministers; within the French Chairmanship of the CoE Committee of Ministers – Strasbourg, France (09/2019)

Joint reception of ethnic Armenians living in Russia with the Federal Ombudsperson of Russia in cooperation with Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Russia (new format) – Moscow, Russia (08/2019)

Meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – Geneva, Switzerland (09/2016; 04/2019)

High-level meetings and exchange of experience for North Africa and Middle East (Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Palestine, Mauritania) – Tunis, Tunisia; Amman, Jordan; Rabat Morocco (12/2017; 02/2018; 07/2018)

General Assembly of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) – Geneva, Switzerland 
Representing Armenia (03/2017; 03/2018 – further meetings suspended due to COVID-19)

Co-Founder [with the Russian Federal Ombudsperson] of the Eurasian Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions – Moscow, Russia
Representing Armenia (since 12/2017)

General Assembly of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) – Brussels, Belgium; Zagreb, Croatia 
Representing Armenia’s NHRI (10/2016; 11/2017)

High-level Human Rights Dialogue with the Republic of Armenia – Brussels, Belgium 
Representing Armenia’s NHRI (05/2017)

Special Participation in the UN CAT 59 session at special invitation – Geneva, Switzerland
Representing Armenia’s NHRI (11/2016)

ECRI’s high-level seminar with national Specialised Bodies; the role of national Specialised Bodies in advising legislative and executive authorities and other stakeholders 
Representing the Armenian NHRI (05/2016)

High-level meetings with the Belgium Government Agent before the European Court of Human Rights: establishing cooperation with the Government Agent’s Office – Brussels, Belgium
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Head of the Armenian Delegation (07/2015)

High-level bilateral discussions with the Council of Europe Human Rights Bodies
The new principles of the execution of the Strasbourg Court judgements – Strasbourg, France
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Head of the Armenian Delegation (07/2015)

High-level Conference on “Implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, our shared responsibility”, adopting the Brussels Declaration – Brussels, Belgium
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Head of the Armenian Delegation (03/2015)
Delivering a speech of behalf of the Government of Armenia

European Union-Armenia High-level Cooperation Council, the 15th Meeting – Brussels, Belgium
Participation together with the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Responsible for the report on Justice Sector and Human Rights reforms (01/2015)

The European Union-Armenia High-level Human Rights Dialogue, the 6th Meeting – Brussels, Belgium
Responsible for the report on Human Rights reforms (01/2015)

UN Congress (the 13) on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice – Doha, Qatar
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Head of Armenian Delegation (04/2015)

High-level Human Rights Dialogue with the Republic of Armenia – Brussels, Belgium 
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Representing the Armenian Ministry of Justice (05/2015)

International Round Table on States’ Action Plans and Reports for the Implementation of European Court’s Judgements: current practice and future perspectives – Strasbourg, France
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Head of the Armenian Delegation (10/2014)

The CoE CM-DH Meeting and High-Level Bilateral Consultations with the Department for Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, Committee of Ministers, Council of Europe – Strasbourg, France
Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia, Head of the Armenian Delegation (12/2014)

In-depth training course for Public Monitoring experts – Belgrade, Serbia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (11/2014)

Government Agents meeting with European Court of Human Rights Registrars – Strasbourg, France
Representing Armenia (09/2014)

International Conference on the Public Monitoring Commissions’ new project phase – Moscow, Russia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (09/2014)

International Seminar on Medical care in Places of Detention: Rus. and European standards – Moscow, Russia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (04/2014)

International Round Table on Urgent Issues of Ensuring Human Rights in Closed Institutions in the Siberian Federal District – Barnaul, Russia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (03/2014)

International training on Public Control Over Ensuring Human Rights in Closed Institutions – Nizhnyi Novgorod, Russia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (02/2014)

International Conference on Public Monitoring of Places of Detention: Russian and international experiences – Moscow, Russia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (12/2013)

International training on Public Control in closed institutions of the Ministry of Interior – Pyatigorsk, Russia  
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (11/2013)  

International training on Prisoners’ Legal Status and Preventing Recidivism in Prisons – Rostov-on-Don, Russia
International Trainer/Expert, Council of Europe (06/2013)

International Monitoring Mission to Montenegro (UK and Armenian Delegations, organized by UNODC)
Review the compliance of Montenegro’s Legislation with the UNCAC provisions 
Member of the Delegation, Representing Armenia (05/2012)

Special Professional Visit to California, USA for Development of the new Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia
Under the US Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training
Visits to the US prisons and county jails, Participation in the US Federal and State Court Trials; Meetings with the US Judges, Prosecutors, FBI and Police agents – California, USA
Representing the new CPC working group (07/2011)

2nd Annual Meeting of the European National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) Network, between the Heads and Contact Persons of the NPMs; the SPT; the CPT and the European NPM Project team – Strasbourg, France
Representing the RA Human Rights Defender (12/2010)

3rd Thematic National Preventive Mechanism High-level Workshop on Methodology: Preparation and planning strategies for an NPM Visit – Yerevan, Armenia
Representing the RA NPM with special report (10/2010)

Study visit to the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman (as a National Preventive Mechanism) of the Republic of Slovenia – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Joint visits to Slovenian Police detention facilities and prisons 
Representing the RA national preventive mechanism (05/2010)

Regional Training Workshop for Governmental Experts participating in the Review Mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption, organized by UNODC – Moscow, Russia
Representing the Republic of Armenia (10/2010)

Eastern Partnership Panel on Fight against Corruption, 
European Commission Chairmanship – Brussels, Belgium
Head of Armenian Delegation (09/2010)

Regional Training on Control Procedures organized within South Caucasus Integrated Border Management (IBM) Programme – Tbilisi, Georgia
Special Report (11/2010)

Regional Training/Workshop on Exchange of Information and Networking organized within South Caucasus Integrated Border Management (IBM) Programme – Batumi, Georgia
Special Report (07/2010)

Regional Training/Workshop on IBM Awareness: Good Practices – Border Security & Trade Facilitation – Tbilisi, Georgia
Special Report (06/2010)

UN Department for Safety and Securtiy 
UN Online Security Trainings on Basic Securtity in the Field – Staff Safety, Health, and Welfare and Advanced Securtity in the Field (08/2010)

Regional Conferences and Workshops on Legal Assistance; Illicit Drug Trafficking in the South Caucasus: Trends and Responses; Reinforcing Anti-Drug Measures at the Borders of the South Caucasus – Tbilisi, Georgia 
Presenter and facilitator of the events (08/2009)

Training for Senior Judges and Prosecutors of the Republic of Armenia to apply International Standards and Best Practices in the area of Criminal Justice – Rome, Italy 
Focal Point for Armenian Delegation (07/2009)

Raul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law – Lund University, Stockholm, Sweden
Study visit, Member of the national working group (08/2005)

IV.    MAIN AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP  

Human Rights Champion by the Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region (ANCA-WR)
Awarded at the 2021 Grassroots Luncheon (11/2021)

Commendation in Recognition of Dedicated Service; Awarded by the County of Los Angeles awarded at the Armenian National Committee Western Region 2021 Grassroots Luncheon (11/2021)

The Best State Institution of the Year in 2019 and in 2021; Awarded by the Independent PR Association of Armenia (06/2019; 06/2021)

Honourable Award of the Armenian Bar Association of USA on the Occasion of its 30th Anniversary Celebration (06/2019)

Award of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia (03/2015)
For effective cooperation with the Chamber of Advocates

Armenian State Highest Medal in Jurisprudence: Mkhitar Gosh
Awarded by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia (12/2014, No: 213)

State Award: The Best Holder of Master’s Degree at Yerevan State University 
Awarded by the Head of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia (03/2004)

The Union of Lawyers of Armenia
Member (05/2002 to present)

V.    LANGAUGES

Armenian, English, Russian, Ukrainian

VI.    SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Author of 3 scientific monographs and 35 research articles dedicated to human rights guarantees and problems of implementation of International (including, European) standards on human rights during the criminal case investigation (in the Russian and English languages), as well as establishment of rule of law in Armenia.