Inez de Boer
Shelter City Utrecht Coordinator, Peace Brigades International
Our support
Rest and respite
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.
Connecting 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
Asha’s photo hangs proudly on my wall
Nikki supports human rights defenders that stay in Shelter City Rotterdam. According to Nikki, being a part of Shelter City has changed her life.
Shelter City Rotterdam
How William’s perseverance left a mark on numerous residents of Nijmegen
Yara was part of the Shelter City Nijmegen team for two years. During her time, she met inspiring human rights defenders such as William from Uganda.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Taking care of your wellbeing is essential when working in human rights
Leo Mosselman is a Tai Chi and bodywork teacher, who supports human rights defenders in Shelter City Netherlands during their training week in The Hague.
Shelter City The Hague
Shelter City guest Tino on LGBTIQ+ rights in Zambia
Tino’s Story Tino is a Zambian human rights defender that focuses on LGBTIQ+ rights as well as the human rights of LGBTIQ+ sex workers in Zambia. He is the Executive Director of the Key Populations Alliance of Zambia, and stayed in Shelter City Amsterdam in 2019. Growing up, Tino was beaten, marginalized and shamed for his […]
Shelter City Amsterdam
News
December 9, 2021
Launch of the new Shelter City branding & website
Launch of the new Shelter City branding and website Dear friends of Shelter City, Today, 9 December on International Human Rights Defenders Day, we are…
News
May 26, 2021
Mohammed Azaiza shares his experience of being stuck in Gaza while dreaming of Amsterdam
Mohammed Azaiza shares his experience of being stuck in Gaza while dreaming of Amsterdam Mohammed Azaiza is a human rights defender living and working in…
News
May 12, 2021
A tribute to Ileana Lacayo, Nicaraguan journalist and human rights defender
A tribute to Ileana Lacayo, Nicaraguan journalist and human rights defender We at Shelter City want to pay tribute to Ileana Lacayo. She was a…
News
April 15, 2021
Launch of the Shelter City Alumni Community
Launch of the Shelter City Alumni Community Dear Shelter City friends, We are happy to announce that on the 8th of April we launched the…
News
October 15, 2019
Interview with Shelter City The Hague guest, Dilip Chakma
Earlier this month the Asser Institute, a professional inter-university centre of knowledge and research (and Shelter City partner), interviewed The Hague’s current human rights defender…