Armenia’s Representative for International Legal Affairs, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, has stepped down from his position, the Prime Minister’s office confirmed on Wednesday. His resignation comes at a time when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed openness to withdrawing Armenia’s legal cases against Azerbaijan, fueling speculation about the move’s potential connection to Kirakosyan’s departure.
In a statement to CivilNet, the government clarified that Kirakosyan’s resignation was a mutual decision made months ago at his request. The statement also refuted media reports claiming that the entire staff of the Office of the Armenian Representative for International Legal Affairs had resigned, dismissing them as inaccurate. However, no official reason was provided for Kirakosyan’s decision to step down.
Kirakosyan had led Armenia’s Office of the Representative for International Legal Affairs since its establishment in August 2020. Prior to that, he had served as Armenia’s representative at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) since November 2018. His office was responsible for defending Armenia’s interests in international courts, including both the ECHR and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
During his tenure, Armenia filed multiple cases against Azerbaijan, primarily focusing on alleged human rights violations, war crimes, and breaches of international law. In one of the most significant cases, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of violating the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The lawsuit detailed instances of state-sponsored intolerance, mistreatment of prisoners of war, and the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
In December 2021, the ICJ partially granted Armenia’s request for interim measures, instructing Azerbaijan to protect the rights of Armenian prisoners of war and prevent discrimination. However, subsequent rulings, including a February 2023 ICJ order to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor, were not implemented by Azerbaijan. The failure to adhere to these rulings contributed to a humanitarian crisis, culminating in the mass displacement of Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) following Azerbaijan’s September 2024 military offensive.
Prime Minister Pashinyan has suggested that Armenia may drop its lawsuits against Azerbaijan in a reciprocal manner as part of the broader peace process. In a November 22, 2024, interview with Armenian Public Television, Pashinyan stated that if there were a genuine opportunity for lasting peace, Armenia would consider withdrawing its legal claims against Azerbaijan.
However, just weeks later, on December 9, 2024, Kirakosyan publicly contradicted the Prime Minister’s stance, asserting that Armenia had no plans to withdraw its cases from international courts. “I do not want to express my position, as it would lead to interpretations. It is better to refrain from comments at this stage. There is no such issue on the agenda.
Our lawsuits continue to be examined, and the procedural steps necessary to ensure their consideration are ongoing,” he stated at the time.
Despite Kirakosyan’s remarks, Pashinyan reaffirmed his willingness to abandon Armenia’s cases against Azerbaijan on January 9, 2024, following renewed threats from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Pashinyan also indicated Armenia’s readiness to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group format, which had played a key role in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict resolution for over three decades.
Currently, multiple legal disputes remain unresolved between Armenia and Azerbaijan in international courts. At the ICJ, Armenia’s case against Azerbaijan, filed in 2021, remains under review, alleging violations of international conventions related to racial discrimination and human rights abuses. The case has resulted in provisional rulings, but enforcement has been a point of contention.
At the ECHR, Armenia has filed four lawsuits against Azerbaijan, addressing:
- Human rights violations during the 44-day war in 2020;
- The treatment of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijani custody;
- Azerbaijan’s invasion of Armenian territory;
- The forced displacement of Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
Additionally, Armenia has taken legal action against Turkey for its military and political support of Azerbaijan during the 2020 war. Conversely, Azerbaijan has filed two cases against Armenia, accusing it of violations dating back to the first Artsakh war and the 2020 conflict, including allegations of mistreatment of Azerbaijani civilians and prisoners, as well as claims of cultural destruction.
Kirakosyan’s resignation, amid ongoing legal disputes and Pashinyan’s calls for a reciprocal lawsuit withdrawal, raises questions about the future of Armenia’s legal strategy on the international stage. While the government insists that his departure was a planned and independent decision, the timing suggests a possible divergence in policy priorities.
