Helsinki Association was established by a group of human rights activists and registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia in April 1997. Helsinki Association is committed to upholding the terms and conditions of the 1975 Helsinki Agreement on European cooperation and security, as well as all other international treaties and agreements that the Republic of Armenia has signed guaranteeing fundamental human rights to its citizens. Helsinki Association is concerned solely with activities related directly to human rights issues and has no political, religious or national affiliatio.

Main aims and goals of the organization are: the monitoring of human rights activities, particularly: monitoring of trails, prisons, psychological hospitals, army, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association and assembly etc. As well as the organization provides the citizens with legal and advocatory services which are free of charge. On May 18, 1998 the United States and European Union presented Democracy and Civil Society Award to the Helsinki Association in recognition of its achievements in promoting democratic values and civil society.

On January 2009 the Embassy of the United States of America presented Freedom Defender Award 2008 to Mikael Danielyan for distinguished performance as an advocate for the human rights of all Armenians for many years and especially during the tumultuous political events of 2008.

STAFF

Mikael Danielyan Chairman	Arsen Babayan Project Coordinator
Gayane Khachatryan Lawyer	Nina Karapetyants Lawyer, Head of Monitoring Group
Arayik Papikyan Lawyer	Ararat Margaryan Head of Helsinki Association, Vanadzor office
Marianna Gasparyan Expert, Project(s) manager	Arman Veziryan Monitor
Eduard Danielyan Monitor	Arsen Hakobyan Webmaster
Stuart Moir Communication Specialist, Fundraising Specialist	Anna Alojyan Accountant
Tereza Karapetyan Administrative Assistant	Tatev Danielyan Blogger, Lawyer’s Assistant