Geneva Summit spotlights rights abuses in Iran
The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on Tuesday featured two sessions on Iran highlighting repression of protesters and struggle for democracy including a speech by Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Now in its 17th year, the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy is a leading annual event organized by a coalition of 25 non-governmental organizations.
It convenes activists globally ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's main session to bolster international awareness of human rights issues.
In a keynote address titled The Struggle for Freedom in Iran, Iran's exiled prince Reza Pahlavi called for international support in confronting Iran’s leadership, describing its rule as having been built on repression.
“The Iranian people have endured more than four decades of suffering, yet their spirit remains unbroken,” he said. “They are fighting not just for themselves but for the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity.”
Pahlavi criticized what he called the international community’s failure to hold Iran’s government accountable.
“I stand here on behalf of my compatriots, who have, for far too long, been silenced, not only by the tyrannical government that occupies our country, but by the ideological bias that distorts the truth about Iran.”
He warned that Iran’s leadership extends its repression beyond its borders, using its "embassies and so-called cultural centers as bases for espionage and terrorism across Europe."
“To those who seek to silence us or stand in our way, I say: we are not waiting for your green light,” he added.
Another panel highlighted the Islamic Republic’s repression of protesters during the nationwide Woman Life Freedom protests sparked by the death in morality police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022, featuring firsthand accounts from victims.
Moderated by Iranian-Canadian activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the discussion featured Mahan Mehrabi, whose brother Mahmoud Mehrabi is imprisoned in Iran; Maryam Diyor, whose 16-year-old son Abolfazl Amir-Ataei was killed while protesting and Saman Pouryaghma, who was shot in the eye and partially blinded during demonstrations.
"Let history note that this regime not only silences dissent by arresting peaceful protesters, but arrests the lawyers defending them, or representing them, and the journalists reporting them. It not only executes political prisoners, but arrests and harasses the family members that are trying to mourn them," Afshin-Jam said.
The panelists spoke about state violence, imprisonment and the struggle for justice as international calls grow for accountability over Iran’s crackdown on dissent.
Calling on the international community to act instead of expressing concern, Mehrabi said, "History will judge us by our actions, not our words."
“For the mothers who mourn, the prisoners who languish, and the countless Iranians who perish unheard, I implore you: See Iran's suffering. Don't be complicit in these crimes. Be a voice for freedom.”
“On the morning of September 21st, my son shared a story on Instagram in protest. Later that day, he went into the streets," she added. "That afternoon, forces of the Islamic Republic brutally shot my 16-year-old son in the head with tear gas at a close range,” Diyor said, breaking into tears.
“The people of Iran do not recognize the Islamic Republic as their legitimate government. This regime does not represent us," said Pouryaghma.
"To the international community I ask, cut your diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic, take immediate action to free our political prisoners, and put maximum pressure on the regime to stop the executions,” he added.
Videos and images on social media showed hundreds of Iranians gathered outside the building, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Pahlavi and the summit's agenda.
Last year, Iran International was named the winner of the 2024 Geneva Summit Courage Award for what organizers described as fearlessly uncovering the daily abuses of the Islamic Republic of Iran.