Dissidents from various countries came together in Geneva, Switzerland to share their experiences of surviving and escaping authoritarian regimes, just days before the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 58th session was set to commence in the same city. UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer, in his opening address at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, highlighted the problematic composition of the UNHRC, pointing out that some of the world’s worst human rights abusers were actually members of the council who used their affiliation to evade accountability for their actions.
During the summit, several dissidents shared their stories, while friends, families, and local students spoke on behalf of those who were unable to attend. Empty chairs symbolized the absence of these dissidents. Dissidents from current UNHRC member states such as Sudan, Cuba, Vietnam, and China recounted their struggles against oppressive regimes. The son of imprisoned Chinese political dissident Dr. Wang Bingzhang, as well as the son of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai—who was detained by Chinese authorities in 2020—shared their stories of their loved ones’ unjust imprisonment and persecution.
The summit also featured dissidents from former UNHRC member states like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and Russia. Russian pro-democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who survived multiple poisoning attempts by Russia, spoke at the summit after being released from jail for speaking out against the Ukraine war. Another outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Garry Kasparov, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the UN, suggesting that the international community should consider replacing, rather than reforming, the institution due to deep-rooted issues.
Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged the international community to take action against the Islamic Republic regime, emphasizing that removing the regime was crucial in addressing the issues caused by it. Pahlavi also highlighted the fight for freedom by Iranian women, stating that their struggle goes beyond the hijab requirement and is about reclaiming equality and their country. The UNHRC did not immediately respond to media inquiries regarding the summit.
As the 58th session of the UNHRC approached, discussions on topics such as early warning and genocide prevention, the death penalty, and racial discrimination were listed on the agenda. The presence of countries like China, Sudan, Cuba, and Vietnam in the council raised concerns about the scrutiny and effectiveness of the council in addressing human rights issues. Former President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the UNHRC was motivated by similar concerns, with Trump citing the council’s protection of human rights abusers as a reason for the exit.
