Maastricht

Nestled between Germany and Belgium, Maastricht is truly a city without borders where everyone can feel at home. In 2015 Maastricht became an official Shelter City and has been a safe haven for human rights defenders at risk of persecution ever since. In 2015 Maastricht became an official Shelter City and has been a safe haven for human rights defenders at risk ever since. Shelter City Maastricht contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and believes that together we can solve global challenges.

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

Nathalie Ummels
Nathalie Ummels

Shelter City Maastricht Coordinator, Mondiaal Maastricht

Ann Damoiseaux-McBride
Ann Damoiseaux-McBride

Shelter City Maastricht Team Leader, Mondiaal Maastricht

Dave Sheehan
Dave Sheehan

Chairman, Amnesty International Maastricht

Fons Coomans
Fons Coomans

UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Peace at the Faculty of Law, Maastricht University

Petro Hermans
Petro Hermans

Senior adviser on Administrative Affairs and External Relations, Municipality of Maastricht

Peter Hendriks
Peter Hendriks

Volunteer and former board member, Mondiaal Maastricht

Anton Ulaska
Anton Ulaska

Intern

Our stories

Clasien, part of a global movement of human rights defenders
Clasien shares with us her experience coordinating Shelter City Tilburg and what it means to her to work with human rights defenders.
Shelter City Tilburg
Olga, resilient in her journey for justice
During her three-month stay in The Hague, Olga penned a story to share her personal journey as a human rights defender in Venezuela.
Shelter City The Hague
Olga, preseverante en su búsqueda de justicia
Durante su estancia de tres meses en La Haya, Olga escribió un relato para compartir su trayectoria personal como defensora de los derechos humanos en Venezuela.
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
Fabianna, reflecting on her connection with human rights defenders
Fabianna, a former intern at Justice & Peace Netherlands, reflects on her experience accompanying Shelter City guests participating in the initiative in the Netherlands.
Shelter City The Hague
Giving your all for the things you believe in
Wouter Ermens recounts his experience interning in the role of a programme coordinator of Shelter City Nijmegen and supporting a Shelter City guest.
Shelter City Nijmegen

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