Press Freedom
2024 Courage Award
16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, U.N. Opening, Tuesday, May 14, 2024
May 13, 2024
12:30 am
Speeches
Presentation of the 2024 Courage Award
Brandon Silver, Director of Policy and Projects at the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, delivers his remarks as he presents the 2024 Geneva Summit Courage Award to Aliasghar Ramezanpour and Pouria Zeraati on behalf of Iran International.
May 13, 2024
12:28 am
Political Prisoners
Abducted, Tortured, and Sentenced to Death in Iran
Gazelle Sharmahd, Iranian human rights activist and daughter of imprisoned journalist Jamshid Sharmahd, addressed the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on May 15th 2024. Full remarks: My name is Gazelle Sharmahd and I wish I could be there with you today in person, but unfortunately we
May 13, 2024
12:27 am
Political Prisoners
Trapped in Tehran: 804 Days in Evin Prison
Australian-British academic freed after two years in Iranian prison as a victim of hostage diplomacy, Kylie Moore-Gilbert, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: My name is Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert. I have very generously been invited back to
May 13, 2024
12:24 am
Authoritarianism
From Captivity to Courage: A Journey From Nicaraguan Prison to Exile
Lesther Aleman, Nicaraguan student leader and political activist, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his remarks. *Vídeo y transcripción en español abajo Prepared Remarks: Good afternoon. I am Lesther Alemán Alfaro, I was born and raised in Nicaragua, and the fact
May 13, 2024
12:23 am
Democracy
Fighting For Democracy in Bolivia
Toribia Lero Quispe, indigenous leader and member of the Bolivian Legislative Assembly, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. **Vídeo y transcripción en español abajo Full remarks (translated to English): I am in this forum because of indigenous women, and
May 13, 2024
12:22 am
Torture
Surviving Venezuela’s Torture Chamber
Victor Navarro, Venezuelan journalist and human rights defender, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his remarks. *Vídeo y transcripción en español abajo Full Remarks: In 2013 my life changed, specifically the day they killed my father. At that time Caracas, the
May 13, 2024
12:21 am
Authoritarianism
Art and Activism: Fighting Persecution of Dissent in Cuba
Carolina Barrero, exiled Cuban art historian, writer, and human rights activist, addresses the 16th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full remarks: I spent most of the year 2021 held under house arrest. The flat that became my prison was bugged with
May 13, 2024
12:20 am
Courageous Journeys: Defending Human Rights in Latin America – Panel Opening
Pedro Pizano, Assistant Director for Democracy Programs at the McCain Institute, delivers his remarks at moderator for the Courageous Journeys: Defending Human Rights in Latin America panel at the 2024 Geneva Summit – see below for his prepared remarks. Prepared Remarks: Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Pedro Pizano and
May 13, 2024
12:19 am
Women's Rights
2024 International Women’s Rights Award
Gambian women’s rights activist and survivor fighting to end Female Genital Mutilation Fatou Baldeh addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full remarks: Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon to you all. I am
May 13, 2024
12:18 am
Women's Rights
Presentation of the 2024 International Women’s Rights Award with Joelle Fiss
Member of Grand Conseil of the Canton of Geneva, Joelle Fiss, presents the International Women’s Rights Award at the 16th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy to Fatou Baldeh, a Gambian women’s rights activist and survivor fighting to end Female Genital Mutilation.
May 13, 2024
12:16 am
Disability Rights
The Life of the Disabled in North Korea
North Korean defector, human rights activist, and advocate for disability rights, Hyosim Maeng, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: My mission is to raise awareness about the lives of disabled people in North Korea. Over the years,
May 13, 2024
12:15 am
Democracy
My Fight for a Free Cambodia
Mu Sochua, Cambodian political opposition leader and president of the Khmer Movement for Democracy, addresses the 16th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy | May 15, 2024
May 13, 2024
12:14 am
Democracy
Beyond Bars: A Story of Defiance and Hope
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
May 13, 2024
12:13 am
Democracy
Charting the Path to Democracy in Belarus
Exiled Belarusian opposition figure and chair of the Belarus Women’s Foundation, Veronica Tsepkalo, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear honorable guests! First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to
May 13, 2024
12:12 am
Political Prisoners
Truth Tellers Under Fire: The Anti-War Struggle in Russia
Russian anti-war activist and investigative journalist, founder of the Free Buryatia Foundation, Aleksandra Garmazhapova, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: Good afternoon, I am honored to be here today. My name is Aleksandra Garmazhapova. I am a
May 13, 2024
12:11 am
War Crimes
Resisting Aggression: The Resilience of Ukraine
Member of Ukrainian Parliament, Lisa Yasko, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: Dear friends, dear colleagues, I’m very glad to be here in Geneva. And you know, two days ago when I was flying here and I
May 13, 2024
12:10 am
Democracy
Is Change Possible in Zimbabwe,
Job Sikhala, Zimbabwean opposition leader, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his remarks. Full Remarks: I want to greet you, honourable guests of this important Summit for Human Rights and Democracy from all four corners of the world. I am Job
May 13, 2024
12:09 am
Human Rights
Arrested for Holding a Blank Paper
Chinese dissenter, human rights activist, and former political prisoner Rei Xia addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: Thank you all. Ladies and gentlemen, imagine one day you wake up and realize that you’ve turned into a caterpillar,
May 13, 2024
12:08 am
Tibet
Free Tibet
Tibetan-Canadian human rights activist and community organizer, Chemi Lhamo, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks. Full Remarks: Home. Where is home for one that has never seen their own beautiful country, and in my case: Bhoe. Tibet. Tashi delek
May 13, 2024
12:07 am
Uyghur Persecution
China’s Persecution of Uyghurs,
Uyghur activist, linguist, and former political prisoner Abduweli Ayup, addresses the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his remarks. Full Remarks: Good morning. I’m Abduweli Ayup. I’ve been fascinated by the Uyghur language since I was young. Every year, around March 21st,
May 13, 2024
12:06 am
Beyond the Great Firewall: Brave Voices of Dissent in China – Panel Opening
Brandon Silver, Director of Policy and Projects at the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, delivers introductory remarks as moderator for the Beyond the Great Firewall: Brave Voices of Dissent in China panel at the 2024 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his prepared remarks.
May 13, 2024
12:05 am
2024 Opening Address
Manuel Valls, ancien premier ministre de la France, s’adresse au 16e Sommet de Genève pour les droits de l’homme et la démocratie – voir son discours complet ci-dessous: Merci cher Hillel Neuer. Mesdames et messieurs, je mesure le privilège et l’honneur de prononcer à mon tour le discours d’ouverture de
May 12, 2024
11:49 pm
2024 Welcome
International lawyer, diplomat and Executive Director of UN Watch, Hillel Neuer delivers opening remarks at the 16th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy
May 12, 2024
11:43 pm