Journalists
Journalists defend human rights by striving to protect our rights to free press and freedom of expression by sharing accurate, unbiased information with the public.
Journalists may work to uncover human rights abuses that they discover, witness and even experience. Their courage to investigate, document, and report human rights violations for the public’s own knowledge allows others to learn of issues that they otherwise would not have known and demand that justice be granted.
Due to the nature of their work and sensitive information that journalists reveal concerning powerful states, organizations and individuals, they are likely to face major risks in many parts of the world. Their critical reporting is often met with consistent attempts to silence them. The cost of their work is reflected in their daily and personal lives as they face surveillance by powerful actors, threats, attacks, arbitrary arrests and detention, and possibly, enforced disappearance or killings.
Protecting journalists at risk as they continue their work is crucial to safeguarding press freedom and our freedom of expression.
Additional support to journalists at risk
Since 2020, Shelter City in the Netherlands provides two additional spaces to journalists at risk per year.
This support is made possible thanks to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read more about this support here.Â
Journalists hosted by Shelter City Netherlands are also supported by Fred Foundation.
Shelter City stands side by side with journalists.
Henry, building spaces of joy and dignity for persons with disabilities
Henry Chivhanga is a 56-year-old Zimbabwean human rights defender who advocates for disability rights. He was a guest in Shelter City Nijmegen in the Spring of 2025. Henry leads the Disability Amalgamation Community Trust (DACT) as its founder and director. They are an organization dedicated towards the representation of minority voices and agency, especially people […]
Shelter City Nijmegen
AL, ensuring safety and dignity for LGBTIQA+ and neurodiverse communities in Madagascar
Content warning: The following article contains descriptions of sexual violence and violence against LGBTIQA+ persons that might be upsetting or disturbing to some readers. My name is AL, and I’m a defender for the rights of queer and neurodiverse people in Madagascar. I define myself as an agender, neurodiverse, and queer person, as well as […]
Shelter City Amsterdam
Hanna, a journalist from Ukraine on sisterhood, human rights advocacy, and peacemaking
Honouring the contributions of journalists and women on the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders.
Shelter City The Hague
Miluska, advocating for legal protections for the LGBTIQA+ community
Miluska, transwoman, lawyer, and LGBTIQA+ rights defender from Peru reflects on her journey and work as a human rights defender.
Shelter City The Hague
Lou, documenting children’s rights in the Philippines
As a Shelter City Research Fellow at the Asser Institute, Lou, a human rights defender from the Philippines, investigated the accessibility of international justice mechanisms for child victims.
Shelter City The Hague
Guliaim, encouraging to find the activist within you
Guliaim, women's rights defender from Kyrgyzstan, shares her journey and hopes for Kyrgyz women and the future of her country.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Sylvain, advocating for disability rights in the DRC
Sylvain is a disability rights defender from the Democratic Republic of Congo who stayed in Shelter City Rotterdam. Faced with challenges due to the ongoing discrimination against persons with disabilities, he strives to strengthen their participation and inclusion in society.
Shelter City Rotterdam
Czarina, being an activist when they’ve labelled you a terrorist in the Philippines
Czarina, a human rights lawyer from the Philippines, shares how her activism has continued to motivate her despite the severe challenges she faces.
Shelter City Rotterdam