Olivier Muhizi
Program Coordinator
Our support
Rest and re-energize
During their stay, human rights defenders are able to rest in the comfort of a safe environment – and a safe house – away from the harm and threats that come with their work. This enables them to focus on their well-being and care for their physical and physiological health before they return home to continue their work.
Tailored support and capacity-building
Shelter City Benin is focused on strengthening the capacity of human rights defenders by providing them with the tools and practices needed to enhance their activism. This is done through trainings that aim to contribute to a safer, more strategic fight for human rights, such as physical training, digital security training, and language classes.
Engage with local allies
Regional networking and exchange is a core component of Shelter City Benin. During their stay, human rights defenders are provided with the opportunity to connect with other defenders and organisations in surrounding areas and to share their stories and experiences. This enables defenders to raise awareness about the human rights situation in their country, connect with a wider audience, and reinforce support for their cause.
Contact us
General contact information:
info[at]ahrnfoundation.org
Our team
Scholastica B. Pembe
Assistant coordinator and case manager
Marcel Kotou
Mentor and logistics manager
Coordinating organization
Benin
Provides human rights defenders temporary relocation and a safe haven
Partner organization
Benin
Financially supports the relocation of human rights defenders at risk
Partner organization
Benin
Provides financial assistance to relocate human rights defenders to Benin
Partner organization
Benin
Provides financial assistance to relocate human rights defenders to Benin
Partner organization
Benin
Provides financial assistance to relocate human rights defenders to Benin
Partner organization
Benin
NED provides financial assistance to support Shelter City Benin.
Partner organization
Benin
Open Society Foundations supported AHRN in establishing Shelter City Benin
Partner organization
Benin
Through Dutch Embassies, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been supporting the relocation of human rights defenders from Burundi, DRC and Senegal
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
Arsène, adding drops of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Arsène shares his story as a human rights defender and lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shelter City The Hague
Nnedinma, regaining her mojo in Shelter City
Nnedinma tells us how her three-month stay in Tilburg with Shelter City enabled her to re-energize and regain her mojo to continue her work.
Shelter City Tilburg
Alice, on the frontlines of a high-risk profession
At the end of her three-month stay in the Netherlands, Alice wrote a story to share her experience as a journalist in the DRC.
Shelter City The Hague
Alice, en première ligne d’une profession à risque
A la fin de son séjour de trois mois aux Pays – Bas, Alice à écrit un article pour partager son expérience de journaliste en RDC.
Shelter City The Hague
Zabib, balancing motherhood and activism in South Sudan
"Being an activist shouldn’t stop women from having children, and having children shouldn’t stop women from their activist work. Let’s not give up."
Shelter City Rotterdam
Meet Caroline Rucah, Kenyan LGBTIQ+ rights defender
Watch a short documentary and learn more about Caroline Rucah, LGBTIQ+ rights defenders from Kenya.
Shelter City Utrecht
Louisa and Asha: defending human rights in Nigeria and India during the COVID-19 pandemic
Louisa and Asha are two human rights defenders and former Shelter City guests who shared with us how their work has changed during the pandemic.
Shelter City Rotterdam
News
December 6, 2024
Global solidarity in the protection landscape
From 8 to 11 October, partners gathered in Georgia to reflect, rest, and reinforce their commitment to providing safe spaces for human rights defenders at…
News
December 9, 2021
Launch of the new Shelter City branding & website
We are happy to present our new branding and website.