A landmark case will culminate next week, the American news magazine Newsweek reports, commenting on the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) case Sargsyan vs. Azerbaijan, the judgment of which will be delivered on 16 June.  

Professor Phillip Leach, director of European Human Rights Advocacy Centre  (EHRAC), calls the case a "long fought battle," noting that it could potentially be a landmark ruling affecting refugees throughout Europe.

According to him, the case raises very important issues regarding the rights of refugees and internally displaced people. “A positive outcome would be a landmark decision, as the European Court has not had to consider a situation like this before, and would establish the rights of refugees against governments," he said.  

Leach also added that a positive outcome could lead to the increase of such cases being brought, not only regarding this conflict, but other similar cases across Europe.

The professor also believes a positive outcome could reinvigorate talks to ensure a political settlement between the two countries over the disputed region.

Next week the ECHR will hold hearing on the case Sargsyan vs. Azerbaijan and Chiragov vs. Armenia. The ECHR Grand Chamber will deliver the judgments of both cases on 16 June.