“Iran is not a chessboard for your ideological battles. Our suffering is not yours to interpret to fit your politics. If you genuinely care about human rights and the Iranian people, start by listening to us, even when our voices challenge your ideology.” Many have not listened. Fact is you can speak over Iranian voices and spew your bile over western media. That’s free speech. But it comes with consequences. The very tales you spin are narratives that keep a regime in power that continue to execute innocent protesters, some as young as 17, at a rate of 6 a day.

I heard the news a few hours ago, and I am still absorbing it. Dear Benon Sevan whose “good morning” texts I had grown so used to receiving that, perhaps, I took them for granted. You are up there in heaven now, reunited with our mutual friend Abdul Haq. Two men whose influence on my life, and on the course it took, cannot be measured. I met you when I was 19, a feisty, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed intern at the UN in New York. You treated everyone, from the janitor to the Russian ambassador (Lavrov then), to the Secretary General (who’d eventually stab you in the back) with the same respect, warmth and deference. I’ll always remember that about you. In October 2001, I passed through New York, and you made time to have breakfast with me. You knew I was covering Afghanistan closely then. The name of our mutual friend came up, and you asked when I had last heard from him. You seemed concerned. Days later, we learned that he had been captured, and later, killed. We kept in touch over the years. Everywhere I went throughout my career, I would come across people who knew you and invariably, they had a story about you and such fond memories. For a little Armenian girl from the suburbs of Montreal, you were a pathfinder. You opened a window onto an international career and passed on that hunger for a front row view to history unfolding. We stayed in touch over the years. You came to my wedding in Nicosia. You never forgot my birthday. You always checked in, commented on my silly social media posts, and called from time to time to share your insights about that part of the world we both cared so much about. The news of your death was a shock. And perhaps the hardest thing to accept is that I never told you what an impact you had on my life. I hope you knew. Thank you, Benon. For your kindness, your wisdom, your friendship and above all for the inspiring life you led. Rest in peace, dear friend. You will be missed and remembered always. 💔 Աստված հոգին լուսավորե

I traveled to Cyprus, to sit down with former UN envoy, Benon Sevan for a conversation about the final days of ex pres Najibullah. Sevan recalls the last attempts to get him out, the political rivalries & why he still believes the UN could have done more. youtube.com/watch?v=_mhaCIQu…

"Alright, alright, I'll concede Arsenal are the current champions... you got me there!" AI actress Tilly Norwood faces a grilling from Piers Morgan on the best football team in the English Premier League. Watch more 👇 📺 youtu.be/x4yyBWkYSHs @piersmorgan | @TillyNorwoodX

Breaking News: Gloria Steinem, the feminist crusader who galvanized the modern women’s movement, challenged sexist assumptions and fought for gender equality, has died at 92. nyti.ms/4gS9EkV

Together, we continue! Human Rights Defenders Plus (HRD+) is pleased to announce the appointment of @Neginayari as the new Chairperson of the Steering Committee. We (Steering Committee of HRD+ and the Secretariat) warmly congratulate @Neginayari on her appointment and wish her every success in her new role. Her leadership comes at an important time for the Afghan human rights movement, and we are confident that her experience, commitment, and vision will further strengthen HRD+ and its collective efforts to advance human rights, justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights defenders. For many years, @Neginayari has been a dedicated civil society and human rights advocate. She has supported thousands of girls in accessing education, worked extensively on human rights and education, advocated for peace, and consistently raised the voices and concerns of Afghan human rights defenders on national and international platforms. We also extend our deepest appreciation to @DrSitez the outgoing Chairperson of the Steering Committee and one of the founders of HRD+. Mr Setiz has played an important role in shaping the vision and foundations of HRD+, and his leadership and contributions have been instrumental in the establishment and development of the organisation. Congratulations, @Neginayari , on your new responsibility. We wish you strength, confidence, and success in leading HRD+ and advancing our shared mission.