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
Wien de Smet
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
Connects human rights defenders with local buddies and a workplace
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
Zabib, balancing motherhood and activism in South Sudan
"Being an activist shouldn’t stop women from having children, and having children shouldn’t stop women from their activist work. Let’s not give up."
Shelter City Rotterdam
Félix, shedding light on the harsh reality in Mexico, despite the dangers
Learn more about Félix, a Mexican photojournalist and a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Jhon León: defensores de los derechos humanos unidos por Shelter City para cambiar el mundo
Jhon es un defensor de derechos humanos colombiano. Aquà reflexiona sobre cómo Shelter City ha impactado, de manera positiva, su vida y trabajo.
Shelter City The Hague
Jhon León: Shelter City unites human rights defenders to change the world
John is a Colombian human rights defender. Here he reflects on how Shelter City has positively impacted his life and his work.
Shelter City The Hague
Raúl, creating safe spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community
Read about Mexican LGBTIQ+ defender Raul and his work to provide shelter to LGBTIQ+ persons.
Shelter City Utrecht
Wiecza, fighting for a better future for Venezuela
Learn more about Wiecza, a Venezuelan lawyer and human rights defender.
Shelter City Eindhoven
Numan, fighting for LGBTIQ+ rights in Malaysia
Learn more about Numan and his work to support the LGBTIQ+ community in Malaysia.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Manjula Pradeep, the inspiring activist behind Shelter City
Manjula Pradeep is an Indian human rights defenders and the inspiration behind Shelter City.
Shelter City Europe
News
March 21, 2023
Shelter City PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2023
Shelter City PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2023 Vea esta convocatoria en inglés o francés. Justicia y Paz PaÃses Bajos (Justice & Peace Netherlands) abre…
News
March 21, 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Appel à candidatures pour septembre 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Appel à candidatures pour septembre 2023 Consultez cet appel en anglais ou en espagnol. Justice et Paix Pays-Bas (Justice & Peace Netherlands) lance un nouvel…
News
March 21, 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for September 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for September 2023 View this call in French or Spanish. Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call…
Events
Feb 3, 2023 - Jan 4, 2024
Shelter City Utrecht: “UtRecht van de Mens” Exhibition
Experience a unique insight into the work and life of human rights defenders at the “UtRecht van de Mens” Exhibition Shelter City Utrecht partners Peace…
News
January 19, 2023
Two internship positions now open at Shelter City The Hague
Shelter City The Hague is offering four internship positions. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
Events
Dec 8, 2022 - Dec 8, 2022
Discussion panel on human rights in Southern Africa with Shelter City guest, Honneur-David
On the 8th of December, Honneur-David, human rights defender from DRC and a Shelter City Haarlem guest, will discuss the human rights in Southern Africa.
Events
Nov 27, 2022 - Nov 27, 2022
Support human rights defender Ali’s half marathon for Shelter City
Donate and support Ali, a current Shelter City The Hague guest who is running a half marathon to fundraise for Shelter City!
Events
Nov 24, 2022 - Nov 24, 2022
Film screening: Punished for Protesting: how family members seek justice
Shelter City Utrecht & Peace Brigades International invite you to the film screening of not one, but two short films! The focus of the evening will be…
News
September 19, 2022
Convocatoria de solicitudes para iniciativas de Justice & Peace en 2023
Justice & Peace Netherlands está lanzando una nueva convocatoria de solicitudes para sus iniciativas: Shelter City y la iniciativa Artists’ Safe Haven.
News
September 19, 2022
Appel à candidatures pour les initiatives de Justice & Peace en 2023
Justice & Peace Netherlands lance un nouvel appel à candidatures pour ses initiatives : Shelter City et l’initiative Artists’ Safe Haven.
News
September 19, 2022
Call for applications for initiatives by Justice & Peace in 2023
Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for its initiatives: Shelter City and Artists’ Safe Haven initiative.
News
July 20, 2022
Meet Shelter City Utrecht guest and women’s rights defender, Marta Lempart
Introducing Shelter City Utrecht guest, Marta Lempart, a women's rights and democracy defender from Poland.
Events
Jun 24, 2022 - Jul 24, 2022
The Shelter City outdoor exhibition returns to Zwolle
The Shelter City outdoor exhibition returns for one month in Zwolle to celebrate 5 years of Shelter City Zwolle.
News
April 21, 2022
Former Shelter City guest Özgür Gür receives the Freedom from Fear Award
ÜniKuir and its co-founder Özgür Gür are awarded the Freedom from Fear Award for their work on LGBTQI+ rights in Turkey.
News
April 20, 2022
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for September 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for human rights defenders at risk to participate in Shelter City. The deadline for…
News
April 20, 2022
Shelter City PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands abre nuevamente las candidaturas al programa Shelter City. La fecha lÃmite para los solicitudes es el 3 de mayo de 2022…
News
April 20, 2022
Shelter City Netherlands: Appel à candidatures pour septembre 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands lance un nouvel appel aux défenseur(e)s des droits humains en danger pour participer à Shelter City. La date limite de dépôt…
News
April 20, 2022
Celebrating 10 years together
This year, we celebrate 10 years of Shelter City and Shelter City The Hague.
News
March 29, 2022
Eindhoven becomes the 13th Shelter City in the Netherlands
Eindhoven joins the Shelter City movement and becomes the 13th Shelter City in the Netherlands.
News
February 10, 2022
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs shares the story of former Shelter City guest Atoq
You can now read an article on Atoq, human rights defender and journalist from Peru, and former guest of Shelter City.