Marzieh Hamidi, an Afghan taekwondo athlete, received the International Women’s Rights Award, while Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad was honoured with the summit’s Courage Award.
Hamidi is regarded as one of the prominent figures in Afghan women’s sport. She moved to France after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and has continued her taekwondo career there.
Alinejad, a journalist, author and women’s rights activist, founded the “My Stealthy Freedom” campaign opposing compulsory hijab in Iran. A former parliamentary reporter in Iran, she left the country after the disputed 2009 presidential election and now lives in the United States. She is considered one of the most prominent opposition figures to the Islamic Republic abroad and serves as president of the World Liberty Congress.
While accepting the award, Alinejad spoke about the Iranian authorities’ response to protesters and dedicated the prize to the people of Iran and victims of recent demonstrations. She called on European leaders to support those affected by the protests.
Alinejad also criticised UN Secretary-General António Guterres for inviting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to address the UN Human Rights Council. Referring to the treatment of protesters and the human rights situation in Iran, she said the situation was “a slap in the face of the international community”.
During her speech, Alinejad tore images of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other political figures, including former president Hassan Rouhani and president Masoud Pezeshkian.
Each year, ahead of the main session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy brings together political dissidents, activists, victims of human rights violations, diplomats, journalists and student leaders to highlight urgent global human rights concerns. The conference is organised with the support of a coalition of 25 human rights organisations.
Alongside Hamidi and Alinejad, Venezuelan political activist Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli was also recognised for his work. A university professor and political scientist, he serves as international coordinator of the Vente Venezuela party and is a leading figure in the opposition coalition advocating democratic transition in Venezuela.
Urruchurtu sought refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas in March 2024 to avoid arrest and remained there for more than 400 days before being freed in May 2025 through an international operation.
