Inez de Boer
Shelter City Utrecht Coordinator, Peace Brigades International
Our support
Rest and re-energize
In Shelter City Utrecht, human rights defenders can catch their breath while taking a break from the threats and hardships that come with their work. During their stay, they can recharge and rejuvenate while being surrounded by the openness and comfort that makes Utrecht a human rights city.
Tailored support
During their stay in Shelter City Utrecht, human rights defenders are offered physical and physiological support from trained professionals to strengthen their work and continue more effectively and sustainably. Together with our partners, we ensure that defenders receive support tailored to their needs.
Engage with local allies
We support human rights defenders who wish to raise awareness for their cause by organising, for example, a lecture, a film screening or a human rights café. This allows defenders to share their experiences with a wider international audience and increase awareness of the human rights situation in their country.
Our team
Lizzy van Dijk
Shelter City Utrecht programme officer, Peace Brigades International
Kelly Bezema
Shelter City Utrecht programme officer, Municipality of Utrecht
Coordinating organization
Utrecht
Implements and coordinates Shelter City Utrecht
Partner organization
Utrecht
Offers human rights courses to human rights defenders and connect them with researchers
Partner organization
Utrecht
Spreads awareness about Shelter City Utrecht and human rights defenders
Partner organization
Utrecht
Supports relocation, connects guests with allies, spreads awareness, and financially supports Shelter City Utrecht
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…