Arno Duivestein
Director of de Pletterij and coordinator of Shelter City Haarlem
Our support
Rest and re-energize
Shelter City Haarlem offers human rights defenders a place to rest and re-energize, away from the danger and intensity that comes with their work. Here, human rights defenders are provided a safe and secure space to focus on their well-being, where they can explore Haarlem’s historic centre and beautiful surrounding landscapes, and care for their health.
Tailored support and capacity-building
During their stay in Shelter City Haarlem, human rights defenders can access the knowledge, tools, and practices needed to strengthen their capacities for when they return. We offer them physical and physiological support, and activities such as language courses, recreation, and more. The support we provide is tailored and adapted to the defenders’ needs to ensure a comfortable stay.
Engage with local allies
We organize events where human rights defenders can connect with a large network of figures in the field of human rights, such as politicians, civil society representatives, academicians, and journalists who reinforce the defenders’ activism, as well as their cause. We also support defenders in raising awareness for their work and the human rights situation in their country.
Our team
Volunteers
Shelter City Haarlem is supported by a group of 8 volunteers.
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
News
December 19, 2025
Activist care weaving memory, knowledge, and mobility into protection
Human rights work demands courage, but courage alone cannot withstand the pressures defenders face today: criminalization, digital surveillance, burnout, exile, and the steady erosion of…
News
October 23, 2025
Stronger together: Reflections from the 2025 Shelter City Netherlands Partners’ Meeting
Photography credits: Maria Indjeian Diaz In a world where civic space is shrinking and human rights defenders face increasing risks, the annual Shelter City Netherlands…
News
May 28, 2025
Human Library: Sharing International Stories 2nd Edition
In collaboration with Voorlichting COC Haaglanden and COC Haaglanden, we hosted a storytelling event focused on LGBTIQ+ rights defenders worldwide.
News
April 10, 2025
The city of Amstelveen joins Shelter City to support human rights lawyers
The city of Amstelveen joins the global movement of Shelter City in its mission of providing safe and inspiring spaces for human rights defenders at…
News
February 18, 2025
A tribute to Iyad Haddad, Palestinian human rights defender
Shelter City mourns the passing of Iyad Haddad, a Palestinian human rights defender and former guest of Shelter City The Hague.
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
October 21, 2024
Strengthening collaboration in the Netherlands
On 26 September, 12 Shelter Cities from across the Netherlands gathered to exchange insights and strengthen collective efforts in supporting human rights defenders at risk.
News
September 30, 2024
Luis, awarded The Albie for his journalism
On 26 September, Luis Carlos DÃaz, journalist and human rights defender from Venezuela was awarded The Albie: Justice for Journalists Award.
News
August 1, 2024
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for applications
Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for human rights defenders at risk to participate in Shelter City Netherlands. The deadline…
News
August 1, 2024
Shelter City Pays-Bas: Appel à candidatures
Justice & Peace Netherlands lance un nouvel appel aux défenseurs des droits humains en danger pour participer à Shelter City Pays-Bas. La date limite de…
News
August 1, 2024
Shelter City PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes
Justice & Peace Netherlands abre nuevamente las candidaturas al programa Shelter City PaÃses Bajos. La fecha lÃmite para los solicitudes es el 30 de agosto…
News
July 16, 2024
Celebrating 5 years of Shelter City Rotterdam
On 3 June, Shelter City Rotterdam celebrated its fifth anniversary of hosting and supporting human rights defenders at risk with Shelter City guests, partners, and…
Events
6 Jul 2024
Shelter City Nijmegen: Walk in solidarity with human rights defenders
Support Shelter City Nijmegen and participate in the 5th edition of the Solidarity Walk at Land van Ooij.
Events
15 May 2024
Human Library: Sharing International Stories
Shelter City The Hague invites you to listen to the stories of four LGBTIQ+ rights defenders in honour of Pride The Hague.
Events
26 May 2024
Impunity in Latin America: Film screening and discussion
Shelter City Utrecht invites you to a film screening and discussion about impunity in Latin America featuring the screening of the inspiring documentary “Chocolate de…
Events
May 6, 2024 - Jun 4, 2024
Photo Exhibition: Portraits of Courage
From May 6 to June 4 Shelter City Utrecht has organized an inspiring exhibition in the Utrecht Library. The exhibition highlights powerful stories of human…
News
March 21, 2024
Andi recounts her experience in Shelter City and the importance of International Women’s Day
Andi, LGBTIQ+ rights defender from Malaysia, reflects on her time in Shelter City Netherlands and what is important to acknowledge on International Women's Day.
News
March 12, 2024
Shelter City Utrecht, believing that change is achievable
Set up nine years ago, Shelter City Utrecht has a long history of finding innovative ways of supporting guests. Read the article, written by the…
News
February 6, 2024
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for human rights defenders at risk to participate…
News
February 6, 2024
Shelter City Pays-Bas: Appel à candidatures
Shelter City Pays-Bas Appel à candidatures Justice et Paix Pays-Bas (Justice & Peace Netherlands) lance un nouvel appel aux défenseurs des droits humains en danger…