Nijmegen

Since 2014, Nijmegen takes pride in being a Shelter City with the coordination of Bureau Wijland and support from the municipality of Nijmegen. At Shelter City Nijmegen, we find it important for the human rights defenders who come from all over the world to feel welcome in our beautiful city and enjoy the nature that surrounds it.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

Beautiful landscapes and unique nature make Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, and its surroundings a perfect space for human rights defenders to recharge their energy and focus on their wellbeing. Whether they are taking a stroll through the forest, riding a bike through the city or attending sport classes, defenders have the opportunity to take a break in a safe and inspiring environment.

Tailored support and capacity-building

At Shelter City Nijmegen, we want to make sure that the stay of the defenders is as fruitful as possible, which is why we offer them university and language courses at Radboud University.  Our tailored support enables defenders to strengthen their knowledge and capacities in areas relevant for them and their work. 

Engage with local allies

In Nijmegen, the human rights defenders can count on the support and companionship of our volunteers and buddies. Together with our partners, we also organize activities and events for the defenders to meet the local residents of Nijmegen and make useful contacts. This enables the defenders to extend their network, which can be useful when they return back home.

Our team

Qader Shafiq
Qader Shafiq

Director of Bureau Wijland

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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