Théo is a second-year JD student whose studies span a broad legal curriculum, with a particular focus on international human rights and humanitarian law. He is especially interested in the legal frameworks designed to protect minority communities and civilian populations in situations of conflict and occupation.
He recently completed a major research paper in the special topics course Protection of Minorities: International and Domestic, examining the obligations of an occupying power under key international norms, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and core human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. His analysis explored fundamental principles such as the protection of civilians, the prohibition of collective punishment, non-discrimination, and the requirement of effective remedies, while also reflecting on why enforcement gaps persist despite the clarity of the legal standards.
Alongside his academic work, Théo is active in immigration and refugee law, including pro bono initiatives. This practical experience grounds his interest in human rights in the lived realities of displacement, vulnerability, and access to justice.
About the Tokmakjian Humanitarian Award
This scholarship, established by Shaunt Tokmakjian (JD ’14), was created to support students who are actively engaged in the research, recognition, and prevention of mass atrocities, particularly through the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa.
Shaunt Tokmakjian, a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors and the son of immigrant parents, understands the critical importance of humanitarian work. During his time as a law student, Shaunt was instrumental in founding the University of Ottawa’s Business Law Clinic. Since graduating, he has continued to support the university by serving on the University of Ottawa Alumni Association and as a member of the Board of Governors. The Tokmakjian Humanitarian Award recognizes the transformative power of legal education in advancing human rights and preventing mass atrocities.
“My research in international human rights and IHL reinforced a lesson I carry into my studies and practice: human rights are as real as the remedies behind them. I’m driven to turn legal commitments into protections people can truly rely on.”
Théo Viltakis