Geneva sit-in and photo exhibition

Demand an immediate halt to executions

On Monday, a powerful act of resistance unfolded just outside the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Human rights activists, members of the Iranian diaspora, and supporters from across Europe staged a solemn sit-in and an open-air exhibition to honor victims of executions in Iran.

The demonstration, held in front of the Palais des Nations, was a striking reminder of the human cost of the Iranian regime’s escalating use of the death penalty. Through photographs, flowers, and placards, participants sought to ensure that the cries of victims and their families reached the very heart of the international system.

A sit-In of silence and defiance

The sit-in began in the morning with participants gathering quietly, holding large placards with messages like “Stop Executions in Iran” and “Save political prisoners.” The silence was not an absence of sound but a powerful form of resistance, carrying the weight of countless voices silenced by execution.

The participants then sat together on the ground, forming a circle of solidarity. “This sit-in is our way of showing that we will not be silent when human lives are being taken every day,” said one of the organizers. “The world must hear this call.”

A wall of flowers for the executed

One of the most moving features of the event was the creation of a symbolic “Wall of Remembrance.” Organizers erected a long, temporary wall where photographs of executed prisoners were displayed. Next to each photograph, participants laid white flowers, transforming the wall into a living memorial and turning abstract statistics into a tangible call for justice.

Exhibition of faces and stories

Alongside the sit-in, organizers arranged a striking exhibition that turned the open square into an outdoor gallery of remembrance. Large panels displayed portraits of those executed, along with their names, ages, and short accounts of their lives.

“These are not numbers,” one attendee whispered. “These are lives, and we must carry them with us.” The exhibition served as a powerful testimony of resilience and courage, a reminder that behind every statistic there is a human life, a grieving family, and a future stolen.

Messages to the United Nations

Throughout the day, demonstrators directed their message clearly toward the United Nations. A spokesperson for the sit-in read a statement urging the Human Rights Council to:

• Impose an immediate moratorium on executions in Iran.
• Establish stronger accountability mechanisms for those responsible.
• Ensure that the voices of victims’ families are heard at the international level.

The statement declared, “The UN cannot remain silent. Each day of inaction costs more lives. We are here to remind the Council of its duty to protect human rights, not just with words, but with action.”

International solidarity

The sit-in and exhibition drew support from diverse groups: Swiss citizens, Iranian exiles, human rights NGOs, and ordinary passersby. The international presence gave strength to the gathering. “We may come from different countries,” said a Swiss participant, “but we stand together against the barbarity of executions. This is a universal cause.”

Human faces behind the statistics

What made the sit-in particularly powerful was its human dimension. The event offered stories of young protesters, women facing the gallows for defying discriminatory rules, and ethnic and religious minorities disproportionately targeted by the death penalty. These stories resonated deeply, transforming the sit-in from a political demonstration into a collective act of mourning and remembrance.

A call for urgent action

As the day came to a close, organizers reiterated their urgent call to the UN and the international community: act now to stop the executions. The sit-in ended with participants holding candles, a symbol of both mourning and defiance. “Our message is simple,” said one activist. “Stop the executions. Save lives. Stand with the people of Iran. Every day matters.”

A lasting impression

By the end of the event, the Wall of Remembrance was thick with flowers, the exhibition panels were surrounded by visitors, and the chants of “Stop Executions in Iran” had echoed across Geneva.

The sit-in was more than a protest. It was a human cry for dignity, justice, and life itself. It was a reminder that behind every statistic there is a story that must be told, and behind every execution there is a call for the world to act.

As night fell, the flowers remained. Silent, fragile, but unyielding—just like the hope for a future where human life is protected, not destroyed.

Join the fight to end executions in Iran

The sit-in was more than a protest; it was a human cry for dignity, justice, and life itself. It was a powerful act of international solidarity, drawing support from diverse groups who stood together against the barbarity of executions.

Join Verein Welle in our mission to raise global awareness about human rights violations. By supporting our work, you help amplify the voices of those who have been silenced and push for a world where justice prevails. Together, we can work to end the cycle of violence and save lives.