On September 14th, a myriad of voices convened at the United Nations Plaza in New York. The objective? To honor the memory of Mahsa Amini and to spotlight the Iranian uprisings that championed equality, justice, and human dignity.
A Morning of Inspiration
The morning session was marked by the presence of esteemed speakers. Dr. Sousan Abadian, an author and advocate for cultural renewal, and Dr. Ardeshir Badaknia, a physician and writer, expressed their support. Uriel Epshtein, CEO of the Renew Democracy Initiative, Yasmin Green, CEO of Jigaw, and Patricia Karam, senior policy advisor at Freedom House, offered their insights. They were joined by influential figures like Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, and Myriam Ovissi, trustee at the Ovissi Foundation. The discussions were further enriched by voices such as Dr. Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Women in Film and Media
The afternoon session gathered filmmakers who have focused on women’s rights not just in Iran but across broader regions like the Middle East and South Asia. The conversation was augmented by the participation of Lisa Daftari, Editor-in-Chief of The Foreign Desk, and Marjan Keypour Greenblatt, Founder and Director of the Alliance For Rights of All Minorities. The entire discussion was expertly moderated by Shirin Taber, Founder and Executive Director of Empower Women Media.
Closing Remarks by Manel Msalmi
Manel Msalmi, President of the European Association for the Defense of Minorities, concluded the event. She emphasized the ongoing repression of Iranian women, spanning various ethnic backgrounds. With the tragic passing of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian woman, the critical importance of solidarity and unity in the fight for human rights was underscored.
Contact: EU correspondent, United Nations Plaza, New York.
