Rotterdam

As a modern and vibrant international city, Rotterdam is a wonderful place for human right defenders from around the world to recover their energy. Since 2019, Shelter City Rotterdam provides a dynamic programme for human rights defenders at risk with the coordination of Humanitas and support from the Municipality of Rotterdam.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

In Rotterdam, every human rights defender can feel at home thanks to the multicultural character of the city. Its lively cultural life and diversity offer a lot of inspiration to defenders and opportunities to care for themselves. When in need of retreat, defenders can find a safe and comfortable space in our shelter house, and focus on their physical and mental health.

Tailored support and capacity-building

At Shelter City Rotterdam, human rights defenders receive support tailored to their individual needs, for example medical care, psychological support, security trainings and development of expertise. Our partners from Erasmus University also provide defenders access to university facilities and academic writing courses.

Engage with local allies

With a lot of cultural and intellectual events, Rotterdam provides diverse avenues for the human rights defenders to connect with local citizens, students and lecturers. Our team of buddies and volunteers are always there to accompany defenders, while together they explore activist spaces and take part in human rights discussions.

Our team

Regina Klein
Regina Klein

Shelter City Rotterdam project coordinator & mentor

Lundwa Smith
Lundwa Smith

Shelter City project member & buddy

Sherab Keizer
Sherab Keizer

Buddy/volunteer

Alex Huang
Alex Huang

Buddy/volunteer

Lobke Ommerborn
Lobke Ommerborn

Buddy/volunteer

Sophie Overbeek
Sophie Overbeek

Buddy/volunteer

Karlijn Doppenberg
Karlijn Doppenberg

Buddy/volunteer

Elisa Castillo
Elisa Castillo

Buddy/volunteer

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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