Annual Report 2025
15

Cultural Initiatives

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International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights - FIFDH

Every year, the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), brings together activists, NGOs, professors, diplomats, artists, activists, journalists and the general public to exchange ideas and debate global challenges. In 2025, OMCT, a partner of the festival since its inception, strengthened its collaboration with FIFDH by co-hosting a screening of 5 Seasons of Revolution, a film documenting the Syrian revolution, directed by human rights defender Lina. Then followed a panel discussion with director Lina, as well as an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and relate to some of the themes of the film.

Cultural events serve as powerful platforms for learning, sharing experiences, and fostering solidarity. At OMCT, we organise cultural gatherings to engage with our friends, donors, and supporters in Geneva, offering them a deeper understanding of our impact and the challenges we address. These events also provide opportunities to raise essential funds and strengthen the commitment of individuals to our mission of combating torture and protecting human rights.

Theatre Event

On 27 October 2025, the OMCT’s Comité d’Action organised a cultural fundraising evening at Les Salons theatre in Geneva, featuring a performance of the play La Colère du Tigre. The event brought together around 200 participants in support of the OMCT’s mission to combat torture and promote human rights worldwide. The Comité d’Action is a voluntary advisory body that provides strategic support and guidance to OMCT on fundraising activities in the Geneva area.

Guests were welcomed with a convivial buffet prior to the performance, creating a warm and informal setting for friendly exchanges and dialogue among supporters. The presentation of the work of the OMCT and theatrical performance that followed offered a powerful moment of reflection, reinforcing the link between culture, civic engagement and human rights.

The event was organised under the leadership of Étienne Gounod, President and Treasurer of the Comité d’Action, with the support of Anne de Rham, Honorary Member. The Comité d’Action also includes Sylvie van Berchem, Yves Berthelot, Catherine Fauchier-Magnan, Françoise Gounod, Catherine Haccius, Régine de Kerchove, Lorraine de Loriol, Isabelle de Montpellier, Adeline Quast, Laurence Stephan, Diane Thierry and Antionette Mir, whose collective commitment contributed decisively to the success of this evening.

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The Carthage Film Festival and the Karama Human Rights Film Festival

Despite a restrictive political and institutional context, OMCT continued its commitment to promoting human rights through culture by maintaining strategic cultural partnerships at both national and regional levels.

In Tunisia, the collaboration with the Carthage Film Festival (JCC) was sustained for the 11th consecutive year, ensuring continued access to culture within places of detention. Implemented despite budgetary constraints and restrictions on access to detention facilities, this initiative provides an essential space for awareness-raising, dialogue, and the recognition of the dignity of persons deprived of liberty.

At the regional level, OMCT renewed for the second consecutive year its partnership with the Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Jordan. In this context, the OMCT Award was granted to two engaged Palestinian films: Gaza Grad by Sawasan Qaoud and Palestinian on the Road by Ismaeel Habbash, contributing to the promotion of works that amplify voices and reflect realities from the MENA region.