Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country located between Nicaragua and Panamá, rich in scenic landscapes and biodiversity. In response to the continuous risks and threats faced by human rights defenders in Central America, an agreement was reached with the Costa Rican government in 2018 to establish Shelter City Costa Rica. Shelter City Costa Rica has since been recognized as a program of public interest and currently hosts up to 32 defenders annually, including their family members, from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

Shelter City Costa Rica provides a space for rest, self-care, and disconnect from the challenges that come with the work of a human rights defender. We promote the participation of human rights defenders in cultural, recreational and sports activities so our guests can recharge and return to their work with renewed energy.

Tailored support and capacity-building

Human rights defenders and their families are offered temporary relocation for a period of three months with the accompaniment of a multidisciplinary team specialized in comprehensive protection to strengthen capacities for psychosocial, physical, digital and legal protection. Defenders are also equipped with a return strategy that will allow them to resume work in their country of origin with enhanced security.

Engage with local allies

During their stay, human rights defenders have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals from the region to exchange ideas and experiences and further advance their cause. This allows defenders to not only increase solidarity and support for human rights situations in their countries but also to engage with others and reinforce their capacities.

Our team

Coordinator
Coordinator

Team in Costa Rica

Centre administrator
Centre administrator

Team in Costa Rica

Legal security specialist
Legal security specialist

Team in Costa Rica

Physical security specialist
Physical security specialist

Team in Costa Rica

Digital security specialist
Digital security specialist

Team in Costa Rica

Psychosocial security specialist
Psychosocial security specialist

Team in Costa Rica

Country Analyst – El Salvador
Country Analyst – El Salvador

Team in Central America

Country Analyst – Honduras
Country Analyst – Honduras

Team in Central America

Country Analyst – Guatemala
Country Analyst – Guatemala

Team in Central America

Country Analyst – Nicaragua
Country Analyst – Nicaragua

Team in Central America

Our stories

Sheyla: “Freedom is my favourite word”
"I am Sheyla Urdaneta, I am a journalist, and a woman: a double risk in Venezuela, where liberty of expression and press are constricted."
Shelter City Haarlem
Sheyla: “Libertad es mi palabra favorita”
"Soy Sheyla Urdaneta, soy periodista y mujer: un doble riesgo en Venezuela, donde se viola la libertad de expresión y de prensa."
Shelter City Haarlem
Félix, shedding light on the harsh reality in Mexico, despite the dangers
Learn more about Félix, a Mexican photojournalist and a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Jhon León: Shelter City unites human rights defenders to change the world
John is a Colombian human rights defender. Here he reflects on how Shelter City has positively impacted his life and his work.
Shelter City The Hague
Jhon León: defensores de los derechos humanos unidos por Shelter City para cambiar el mundo
Jhon es un defensor de derechos humanos colombiano. Aquí reflexiona sobre cómo Shelter City ha impactado, de manera positiva, su vida y trabajo.
Shelter City The Hague
Raúl, creating safe spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community
Read about Mexican LGBTIQ+ defender Raul and his work to provide shelter to LGBTIQ+ persons.
Shelter City Utrecht
Wiecza, fighting for a better future for Venezuela
Learn more about Wiecza, a Venezuelan lawyer and human rights defender.
Shelter City Eindhoven
José and Jorge: Defending the rights of the LGBTIQ+ population in Central America
José and Jorge are human rights defenders that fight for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, which faces great discrimination and violations in Central America.
Shelter City Costa Rica

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