The
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (hCa) was established in 1990 to improve fundamental rights and freedoms,
pluralism, and
human rights in Europe. The Armenian branch was founded in Vanadzor in 1998. The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly–Vanadzor supports the strengthening of
civil society, equality, and
human rights, including women's rights, rights for
minorities, and
LGBT rights in Armenia. HCAV calls for more women to be represented in the
National Assembly. HCAV also supports the goals of the
2018 Armenian revolution, further developing Armenia's democracy and government transparency, and tackling
corruption and police brutality. HCAV provides legal aid to approximately 400 citizens annually and has assisted citizens to submit cases to the
European Court of Human Rights. Prior to Armenia joining the
Eurasian Economic Union, HCAV summitted a motion to the Court of Appeal demanding to recognize the actions aimed at joining the customs union by former president of Armenia
Serzh Sargsyan as illegal. HCAV opposed the decision of Serzh Sargsyan to approve Armenia's accession to the Russian-led customs union. On 14 September 2022, following the Armenia–Azerbaijan
border crisis, Artur Sakunts stated, "Many
pro-Western Armenians have called for the country to leave the
CSTO. If Armenia does not show determination now and does not get out of the deadlock of the CSTO-Eurasian Union-trilateral statement of November 9, 2020 and does not take a step toward becoming part of the United States-France-European Union civilized system, then [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and [Azerbaijan President Ilham] Aliyev will devour Armenia." Also in September 2022, HCAV presented a document of recommendations to
Nancy Pelosi during her visit to Yerevan. One of the recommendations was to provide
major non-NATO ally status to Armenia. In 2024, Artur Sakunts endorsed the
United Platform of Democratic Forces. ==Partnerships==