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

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

Jil Buchheim
Jil Buchheim

Intern

Our stories

Juvie, using documentation as a tool against injustice
Juvie, a human rights defender from the Philippines, shares her journey of over a decade in grassroot activism and documenting human rights violations against indigenous communities. Despite facing danger and emotional exhaustion, her work strives for accountability and justice. She continues to be passionate and believes that “one day [change] will happen, and more people will care about human rights”.
Shelter City Maastricht
Iván, reflecting on his journey as a human rights defender
Iván, former diplomat and Shelter City Amsterdam guest, shares his personal journey of becoming a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Iván, reflexionando sobre su trayectoria como defensor de los derechos humanos
Iván, antiguo diplomático y huésped de Shelter City Amsterdam, comparte su trayectoria personal como defensor de los derechos humanos.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Kiruba, fighting caste cruelties in India
Read Kiruba's story of challenging caste-based atrocities and discrimination in India.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Arsène, adding drops of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Arsène shares his story as a human rights defender and lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shelter City The Hague
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
Clasien, deel van een wereldwijde beweging van mensenrechten verdedigers
Clasien deelt met ons haar ervaring met het coördineren van Shelter City Tilburg en wat het voor haar betekent om met mensenrechtenverdedigers te werken.
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

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