Panel: Combating Transnational Repression with Masih Alinejad, Leopoldo López

Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, moderated a discussion with Masih Alinejad and Leopoldo López at the 18th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on February 18th, 2026. Masih Alinejad is an Iranian journalist, women’s rights activist, and repeated target of attempted assassinations. Leopoldo López is a Venezuelan dissident, former political prisoner, and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress.

Speakers and Participants

Leopoldo López

Venezuelan dissident, former political prisoner, co-founder of the World Liberty Congress

Masih Alinejad

Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist, repeated target of attempted assassinations

Related

Democracy

Beyond Bars: A Story of Defiance and Hope with Nguyen Tien Trung

Vietnamese pro-democracy activist and former political prisoner, Trung Tien Nguyen, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his remarks. Full Remarks: Right now, as I stand here today, nearly 100 million Vietnamese people are suffocating under the Communist Party of Vietnam’s authoritarian

Human Rights

The Islamic Republic Murdered My Son for Protesting with Maryam Diyor

Maryam Diyor, mother of Abolfazl Amir-Ataei, who was killed at age 16 by the regime for protesting, addressed the 17th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on February 18th, 2025. Full Remarks (Translated from Persian): Salutations to the Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi. On September 16th, 2022, the Islamic

Democracy

Refugee from Burundi’s Regime with Ketty Nivyabandi

Ketty Nivyabandi, human rights defender who was forced to flee her home in Burundi in May 2015 after leading a peaceful protest, addresses the 11th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see quotes below, followed by full prepared remarks. On dire human rights situation in Burundi: “Burundi’s regime