Member of the Boghos Arzumanian Foundation, international law expert, lawyer, advocate, Argentinean-Armenian professor Roberto Malkhassian was recently in Armenia and had a meeting with RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan.

We present “Hayern Aysor”’s interview with the renowned Armenian lawyer.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mr. Malkhassian, you were born in Thessaloniki, but you have been living in Buenos Aires for the past 55 years. What do you do in Argentina?

Roberto Malkhassian: I give lectures on human rights, international law and the legal issues of the Armenian Genocide in the Faculty of Law at the National University of Buenos Aires. I give lectures on the legal aspects of the Armenian Genocide twice a week. I also have many foreign students. The goal of the lectures is to show the Argentineans the legal aspects of the Armenian Genocide and have them start seriously studying the Armenian Genocide.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mr. Malkhassian, could you tell us a little about the Argentinean-Armenian community?

R. M.: The Argentinean-Armenian community is well-organized and is socially and politically active. We do everything we can to support Armenian schools and churches.

When the Argentineans see the “yan” of our last names and ask us if we’re Armenian, and when we tell them we are, they say Armenians are great people and are very honest and diligent. This is the reputation of the Armenians in Argentina.

The Argentinean-Armenians are very powerful, especially in trading leather and cotton. There are also many doctors and lawyers. They are united as one with the language and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“Hayern Aysor”: What are your future plans?

R. M.: I plan to participate in forums, conferences and roundtable discussions devoted to recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

We carry out pro-national programs, provide financial assistance to villages in need and support the Argentine Republic Armenian School in Yerevan through the Boghos Arzumanian Foundation.

We are also working on establishing and enhancing cultural relations between Armenia and Argentina.

Interview by Tatev Mnatsakanyan