Speeches

Syria

Surviving the Siege of Aleppo with Waad Al-Kateab

Waad Al-Kateab, Syrian refugee, activist and award-winning filmmaker, addresses the 13th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see quotes below, followed by full prepared remarks. On eruption of 2011 Arab Spring in Syria: “The idea that people would fight back was something I’d always dreamed of, but

Ukraine

The War in Ukraine: An Eyewitness Account with Olga Aivazovska

Forcibly displaced Ukrainian civil society leader and Chair of the NGO Opora, Olga Aivazovska, speaks at the 14th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see quotes below, followed by full prepared remarks. On the Russian invasion of Ukraine: “There is nothing special about me, my only superpower is that I’m Ukrainian.”

Ukraine

Diary of an Invasion: Eyewitness to Russia’s War on Ukraine with Andrey Kurkov

Highly-acclaimed Russian-born Ukrainian novelist known for his unwavering criticism of Vladimir Putin who reported on the situation on the ground in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, Andrey Kurkov, addresses the 15th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for his remarks. Full Remarks Do I have the right to be tired

Ukraine

Resisting Aggression: The Resilience of Ukraine with Lisa Yasko

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

Russia

Truth Tellers Under Fire: The Anti-War Struggle in Russia with Aleksandra Garmazhapova

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

Sudan

Sudan’s Ongoing Nightmare: Preventing Further Atrocities with Niemat Ahmadi

Niemat Ahmadi, survivor of the Darfur Genocide, Sudanese women’s rights defender, and founder and president of Darfur Women Action Group, addressed the 17th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on February 18th, 2025. Full Remarks: Good Afternoon, everyone, I am standing before you today, feeling incredibly dismayed that,

Syria

Minorities Under Fire in Syria with Aram Aqil

Aram Aqil, Kurdish minority rights activist and a former ISIS hostage, addressed the 18th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on February 18, 2026.   Full Prepared Remarks: Today, I speak as someone whose life has been shaped by discrimination, neglect, and exclusion. My name is Aram Aqil.

Sudan

Sudan Atrocities: Seeking Accountability with Mutasim Ali

Mutasim Ali, Sudanese human rights advocate and Legal Advisor at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, addressed the 18th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy by video on February 18, 2026.   Full Prepared Remarks: Hello everyone, I regret that I was unable to attend the Summit

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