By: Katy Simonian

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) will honor social entrepreneur, impact investor, philanthropist, and State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan with the 2024 Human Rights Champion Award for his unwavering devotion to securing a democratic Armenia and protecting the people and territorial integrity of Artsakh. Vardanyan, who was one of many Armenian officials unlawfully arrested by Azeri forces in September 2023 while trying to peacefully cross the border into Armenia, has been detained for over a year in an egregious violation of human rights and international law. Other detainees include former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan along with Artsakh Foreign Minister and 2022 ANCA-WR Freedom Award honoree Davit Babayan, among many others who remain illegally detained by Azeri forces despite calls from the international community for their immediate release.

Heralded for promoting long-term development projects in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh to foster social and economic growth, Vardanyan’s ingenuity is matched only by his lifelong commitment to giving back to his homeland. A global leader and prolific advocate for Armenians everywhere, Vardanyan is the co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative which includes the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, a global humanitarian award that recognizes individuals who have sought to intervene and prevent genocide, ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity. Working alongside his friend and Moderna Co-Founder Noubar Afeyan, Vardanyan has founded many initiatives to secure the preservation of Armenian heritage sites, build a landscape for educational development particularly in science and technology, and make Armenia stand as a leading voice in the fight for human rights around the world.

On receiving the Human Rights Champion Award, Vardanyan’s family has released the following statement, penned by Vardanyan’s son, David:

“Dear friends,

First of all, allow me to thank the ANCA for presenting my father with this award. It has always been my father’s dream to unite the Armenian People wherever they are in the world whether in Los Angeles or Artsakh. And today, when we face so much internal division while also facing existential external threats, his goal remains as important as ever. The ANCA has always been an important cornerstone of the Armenian world. Just last year, it acted as an important voice in highlighting the great abuse done by Azerbaijan to the people of Artsakh through the illegal blockade of theLachin corridor and acted as a voice to the outside world for Ruben and the 120,000 inhabitants of Artsakh. And it is also the ANCA’s key message that Armenians in Armenia must be self-sufficient in order to prosper. That rings true especially today. As my father always said, we must not wait for others to save us. We must learn to save ourselves.” and it is with this philosophy of trying to move away from a victimhood mentality to one of prosperity. That was the key driving force for my father in co-founding the Aurora Humanitarian initiative, together with two other leaders of the Armenian world, Nubar Afeyan and the late, great Vartan Gregorian. It was their vision to show the world the strength and perseverance of the Armenina People by thanking all the modern day heroes who have risked their lives to save others, much like many of the heroes who risked their lives to save our ancestors during the Armenian Genocide. And so, on behalf of Ruben, I urge us all to stand together and to once again show the strength and perseverance of the Armenian People. My father has always been and always will be a man of great conviction, and one who always looks forward to what can be, rather than what was. It has always also been his core belief that together, united, we can overcome any challenge that stands before us. On behalf of Ruben, and our entire family, we thank you. I sincerely hope that Ruben will be able to thank you all for this honor in person soon.”

Vardanyan’s willingness to put the needs of the Armenian people before his own – and to commit his life to the cause of justice for Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh is a true act of courage. His arrest is a reminder of the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Vardanyan’s life and work serves to fulfill King’s vision for solidarity in the struggle for peace through recognition and cooperation to build a better world.

The ANCA-WR remains dedicated to securing the release of all Armenian officials illegally detained by Azerbaijan and continues to advocate for their families, the rights of the people of Artsakh, and the Republic of Armenia to secure justice, freedom and peace for a prosperous, democratic future. For more information on how you can help, please visit https://freearmenianprisoners.com/ and to purchase tickets to the ANCA-WR Gala, click here.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Katy Simonian is a member of the 2024 ANCA-WR Gala Committee.