Lyon

Shelter City Lyon is the first French Shelter City to join the global movement. In 2021, Agir ensemble pour les droits humains and the City of Lyon joined forces to build a temporary relocation programme in Lyon which aims to contribute to the protection of human rights defenders by offering them an opportunity to gain rest and respite and to strengthen their capacities.

Shelter City Lyon is designed to host human rights defenders at risk from all over the world, especially from French-speaking regions. For its pilot year, Shelter City Lyon will be focusing on the protection of environmental defenders and artists.

Our support

Tailormade support

Our team is dedicated to offering human rights defenders tailored support and organize activities based on their preferences and needs: allowing them to follow courses, strengthen their network and capacities, and participate in events and advocacy opportunities to raise awareness of the cause they are fighting for and rest and recharge their batteries. Shelter City Lyon also provides family relocation when needed and ensures that human rights defenders’ needs are met during their stay.

Rest and respite

Lyon is the third largest city in France and is known as the capital of French gastronomy. It is a place of thriving cultural and sporting activities thanks to its numerous museums, its lifelong history of cinema and its proximity to the French Alps. Its most famous park, Parc de la Tête d’Or, is the largest urban park in France, allowing visitors to get the fresh air they need. Shelter City Lyon provides human rights defenders with a great environment to re-energize and discover French culture. Our team has partnered with trained professionals to offer physical and psychological care to human rights defenders and focus on improving their wellbeing.

Strengthen capacities and network

Lyon is home to four universities and several « grandes écoles » offering numerous training and networking opportunities. Human rights defenders have the opportunity to follow courses on international law and French-speaking lessons if they wish. Lyon is also close to Brussels and Geneva, where human rights defenders can visit European and UN institutions focused on advancing human rights.

Engage with local allies

Shelter City Lyon has a wealth of opportunities for networking and advocacy for human rights defenders that wish to create new alliances. Human rights defenders can meet with local citizens, local civil society organisations, schools, and governmental and international institutions, to share their experiences and knowledge, and build friendships across continents.

Our team

Philippe Morie
Philippe Morie

General Delegate

Head of Protection Programme
Head of Protection Programme
Flora Stevens
Flora Stevens

Programme Coordinator

Assistant Programme Coordinator
Assistant Programme Coordinator
Guillaume Guichon
Guillaume Guichon

Programme and Communications Officer

Laura Paillas
Laura Paillas

Finance Officer

Our stories

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
Luis, building peace through the fight against impunity in Venezuela
In 2023, Luis wrote this article in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
Shelter City The Hague
David, in search of justice for missing persons
David is a human rights defender from Mexico focused on advising and guiding family members of missing persons.
Shelter City Utrecht
Yendri, mobilizing LGBTIQ+ communities in Venezuela
Yendri works on advancing the rights of Venezuelan LGBTIQ+ individuals. Find out more about his work through a podcast episode and documentary.
Shelter City Utrecht
Nataliia, a journalist in service of human rights
Nataliia documents human rights violations and the plight of minorities such as the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, and people living with HIV.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Angel Sulub, keeping Mayan values alive
Angel, an indigenous rights defender from Mexico, shares how he is working to keep Mayan values alive.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Juvie, using documentation as a tool against injustice
Juvie, a human rights defender from the Philippines, shares her journey of over a decade in grassroots activism and documenting human rights violations.
Shelter City Maastricht
Iván, reflecting on his journey as a human rights defender
Iván, former diplomat and Shelter City Amsterdam guest, shares his personal journey of becoming a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam

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