GENEVA, April 12, 2023 — An international coalition of 25 human rights groups announced today that Chinese abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong will go under an international spotlight at this year’s 15th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.
The event will take place next to the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 17, 2023.
Witnesses testifying on Chinese human rights abuses and atrocities will include:
- Qelbinur Sidik, Uyghur activist who witnessed atrocities as a teacher compelled to work at one of China’s notorious internment camps in Xinjiang, and victim of forced sterilization
- Frances Hui, first Hong Kong activist to be granted political asylum in the US, director of the group We the Hong Kongers
- Dr. Gyal Lo, Tibetan professor of education who witnessed the effects of China’s forced assimilation boarding schools in Tibet
- Peter Yang, son of Chinese political prisoner Guo Feixiong, who has been subjected to years of imprisonment, harassment and abuse
- Yang Jianli, President of Initiatives for China, former political prisoner
For a full list of speakers please see our media kit.
Speakers are available for interviews prior to the event, and in person on the day of the event. For media inquiries or interview requests, please email media[]genevasummit.org to speak with Pat Rose.
The 15th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy will provide an essential international platform to courageous dissidents fighting tyranny, as well as families of political prisoners, from China, Iran, Russia, Cuba, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
The event draws a standing-room only audience of more than 800 participants — diplomats, UN officials, lawmakers, activists, and student leaders — along with international coverage in major media including CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, Le Monde and TIME magazine.
Admission to this year’s Geneva Summit is free and open to the public, but registration is mandatory.
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Geneva Summit 2023 Speakers:
Evgenia Kara Murza, Human rights activist, wife of jailed Russian prisoner of conscience and opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza
Frances Hui, First Hong Kong activist granted political asylum in the US, Director of We the Hong Kongers organization
Fadzayi Mahere, Constitutional lawyer and opposition spokesperson arrested repeatedly in Zimbabwe
Nila Ibrahimi, 15-year-old Hazara activist who narrowly escaped the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
Shima Babaei, Activist imprisoned for removing hijab, daughter of forcibly disappeared dissident Ebrahim Babaei
Darya Safai, Belgian MP fighting for rights of Iranian women
Hadrien Ghomi, French MP outspoken for victims of repression in Iran
Alireza Akhondi, Swedish MP campaigning to designate IRGC as terrorist entity
Ali Ehsassi, Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee, Canadian Parliament
Songmi Han, North Korean escapee and survivor of extreme poverty, oppression, and abandonment
Andrey Kurkov, Renowned Ukrainian novelist, author of “Diary of an Invasion” on Russia’s war
Anastasia Shevchenko, First dissident convicted under Russia’s “undesirable organizations” law, profiled in Oscar-shortlisted film “Anastasia”
Marie-Claire Kakpotia, Survivor and activist fighting to end Female Genital Mutilation
Nevşin Mengü, Turkish journalist dropped from CNN Turk after she criticized President Erdogan
Melissa Mahtani, Journalist, former CNN producer
Abraham Jiménez Enoa, Prominent Cuban journalist forced into exile, grandson of the bodyguard to Fidel Castro and Che Guevara
Hasler Iglesias, Venezuelan youth leader, went into hiding to escape arrest by the Maduro regime
Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of United Nations Watch, on behalf of the 25 NGO co-sponsors of the Geneva Summit
Javier El-Hage, Chief Legal and Policy Officer at Human Rights Foundation
