For nearly five decades, Iran has experienced recurrent cycles of protest and state repression. The demonstrations of 2026 form part of this longer trajectory, unfolding in a context where restrictions on information continue to limit visibility on the human impact of these events.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iranian state has developed governance structures characterised by strong security measures, ideological oversight, and limited space for dissent. Practices such as executions, surveillance, and the use of force have shaped state-society relations over time, contributing to a pattern of institutionalised violence that has persisted for more than four decades. Recent developments do not constitute a sudden break, but rather reflect the continuation and intensification of these dynamics.
The film screening of Where God Is Not (2023; 112 minutes; in Persian, with English and French subtitles) will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Shirin Heidari, Senior Researcher at the Geneva Graduate Institute and Director of GENDRO, with:
- Julien Abiramia, Journalist, Courrier international
- Niloofar Azimian, Activist and filmmaker
- Arezoo Mojaverian, Iranian activist
This event is organised in partnership with the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights, which will take place from 6 to 15 March 2026, and the Courrier International.
Simultaneous interpretation from English into French will be provided.
