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
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
Meet Caroline Rucah, Kenyan LGBTIQ+ rights defender
Watch a short documentary and learn more about Caroline Rucah, LGBTIQ+ rights defenders from Kenya.
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
Louisa and Asha: defending human rights in Nigeria and India during the COVID-19 pandemic
Louisa and Asha are two human rights defenders and former Shelter City guests who shared with us how their work has changed during the pandemic.
Shelter City Rotterdam
Mohammed Azaiza shares his experience of being stuck in Gaza while dreaming of Amsterdam
Mohammed Azaiza is a human rights defender from Gaza who was unable to relocate to Shelter City.
Shelter City Amsterdam
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
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.
News
February 8, 2022
Two internship positions now open at Shelter City The Hague
Shelter City The Hague is looking for two interns. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
News
February 3, 2022
Internship position at Shelter City Utrecht
Shelter City Utrecht is looking for an intern. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
News
December 9, 2021
Launch of the new Shelter City branding & website
We are happy to present our new branding and website.
News
December 1, 2021
Shelter City tour with the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador, Bahia Tahzib-Lie
In 2021 and 2022, the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador is touring all Shelter Cities in the Netherlands.
News
November 8, 2021
Shelter City outdoor exhibition travels across the Netherlands
After Zwole,Tilburg and Utrecht, the travelling Shelter City outdoor exhibition is now in Maastricht and next year will be in The Hague.
News
May 12, 2021
A tribute to Ileana Lacayo, Nicaraguan journalist and human rights defender
We at Shelter City want to pay tribute to former guest Ileana Lacayo, a Nicaraguan journalist and human rights defender.
News
April 15, 2021
Launch of the Shelter City Alumni Community
The Shelter City Alumni Community is an online platform for former Shelter City guests to connect, exchange expertise and cooperate.
News
July 15, 2020
Shelter City continues supporting human rights defenders during the pandemic
We at Shelter City released a joint statement on the current state of human rights and human rights defenders, and on our continuous support.
News
March 16, 2020
Cancellation of human rights defenders’ relocation to Dutch Shelter Cities
We announce the cancellation of human rights defenders' relocation to the Netherlands.
News
October 17, 2019
Shelter City guest Dilip presents the Chakma community to students
Shelter City guest Dilip gave presentations to students on his work to protect the rights of the Chakma community in India.
News
October 15, 2019
Shelter City guest Dilip Chakma is interviewed by the Asser Institute
Dilip was interviewed by the Asser Institute in relation to his human rights work in India and his fellowship at the Institute.
News
May 20, 2019
Ride for Rights 2019
During the 2019 edition of Ride for Rights, the participants cycled through the Netherlands to support human rights defenders.
News
May 3, 2019
Shelter City guest Pedro joins Ride for Rights
Colombian human rights defender Pedro joins this year's Ride for Rights to support Shelter City and other human rights defenders.