Nathalie Ummels
Shelter City Maastricht Coordinator, Mondiaal Maastricht
Our support
Rest and re-energize
Maastricht is a welcoming safe space for human rights defenders to unwind for a few months. In Shelter City Maastricht, it is our mission to make the defenders feel at home and to support them in improving their personal wellbeing, while they are away from the risks of their work.
Tailored support and capacity-building
At Shelter City Maastricht, human rights defenders receive support tailored to their individual needs, for example medical care, psychological support, security trainings and development of expertise. Shelter City Maastricht also offers guests the opportunity to take courses at Maastricht University in order to expand their knowledge and strengthen their skills set.
Engage with local allies
In Shelter City Maastricht, defenders can connect with local citizens, students, and organizations to exchange knowledge and together promote human rights. Because of its location, Maastricht also offers easy access to EU institutions and international organizations in neighbouring countries, where defenders can meet even more allies.
Our team
Ann Damoiseaux-McBride
Shelter City Maastricht Team Leader, Mondiaal Maastricht
Fons Coomans
UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Peace at the Faculty of Law, Maastricht University
Petro Hermans
Senior adviser on Administrative Affairs and External Relations, Municipality of Maastricht
Peter Hendriks
Volunteer and former board member, Mondiaal Maastricht
Jeanine Veenstra
Intern
Coordinating organization
Maastricht
Coordinates the stay of the guests, provides tailored support, and connects human rights defenders to local allies
Partner organization
Maastricht
Organizes visits to high schools in Maastricht and connects guests with local youth
Partner organization
Maastricht
Financially supports Shelter City Maastricht, and provides university courses
Partner organization
Maastricht
Financially supports Shelter City Maastricht, and connects guests to local allies and organizations
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
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
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…
News
February 6, 2024
Shelter City PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes
Shelter City PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes Justicia y Paz PaÃses Bajos (Justice & Peace Netherlands) abre nuevamente las candidaturas al programa Shelter City PaÃses…
News
January 31, 2024
Adil Meléndez, Sir Henry Brooke Award recipient
Adil Meléndez, a former Shelter City The Hague guest, was awarded the Sir Henry Brooke award in London by the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk.
News
January 26, 2024
From Africa to Europe: Enhancing global collaborations to protect human rights defenders at risk
Shelter City Global Partner Meeting From Africa to Europe: Enhancing global collaborations to protect human rights defenders at risk In October 2023, Justice & Peace…