The Foundation Against the Violation of Law (FAVL) was founded in the fall of 1991. The organization focused its initial efforts on freeing the mass number of hostages, prisoners, and refugees which resulted from this shocking breach of fundamental human rights. It went on to work with the Red Cross, United Nations, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to counter such large-scale abuses taking place in Karabakh.
By April 14, 1992, FAVL became officially registered as an NGO and expanded its work to include facilitating prisoner exchanges between Armenia and Azerbaijan. By 1995, the organization shifted beyond individual, voluntary efforts and began cementing itself as a leading champion of human rights in independent Armenia. Programs geared toward protecting the rights of refugees and facilitating their integration into society picked up steam, as did the organization of local self-help groups and advocacy campaigns.
From its very founding, FAVL also spoke out against capital punishment and succeeded in stopping several death sentences from being carried out in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. It played an important role in the ultimate abolishment of the death penalty in Armenia in 2003.
Throughout its second decade of activity, the organization concentrated its efforts on rural development projects and civic advocacy initiatives in the border regions of Armenia, helping develop local self-governance and encouraging civic engagement. It currently operates five civic centers in the regions of Syunik and Vayots Dzor which provide free legal assistance and promote involvement in local decision-making.
The organization also established the first torture rehabilitation center in the region (ARDCEN-TV) in 1999 and became one of the first in Armenia to offer free legal assistance to vulnerable populations.
