Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards

Justice and Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for at risk Human Rights Defenders to participate in Shelter City. The deadline for applications is 10 December 2020. Please be aware that special conditions apply because of the COVID-19 situation.

Shelter City provides temporary safe and inspiring spaces for human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk where they re-energise, receive tailor-made support and engage with allies. Shelter City offers the HRD a shelter for three months, during which they will rest, gain new skills, extend their network and raise awareness about the situation in their country. At the end of the programme, participants are expected to return with new tools and energy to carry out their work at home.
From March 2021 onwards, several cities in the Netherlands will receive HRDs for a period of three months.

• Participants might be requested to self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands (Shelter City programme will be adapted accordingly) and to take other preventive measures due to COVID-19 (including a COVID-19 test before travelling to the Netherlands.
  
• Applicants must fulfil the following conditions in order to be eligible for Shelter City:

• They implement a non-violent approach in their work;
• They are threatened or otherwise under pressure due to their work;
• They should be able to be relocated for a period of maximum 3 months. Limited spots are available for people who are not able to stay for the full 3 months;
• They are willing and able to return to their country of origin after 3 months;
• They are willing to speak publicly about their experience or about human rights in their country to the extent that their security situation allows;
• They have a conversational level* of English (limited spots are available for French or Spanish speaking HRDs);
• They are willing and able to come to The Netherlands without accompaniment of family members;
• They have a valid passport (with no less than six months of validity) or be willing to carry out the procedures for its issuance. Justice and Peace covers the costs of issuing a passport and / or visa (if applicable);
• They are not subjected to any measure or judicial prohibition of leaving the country;
• They are willing to begin their stay in The Netherlands around March 2021.
  To apply or submit the application of a human rights defender: <https://form.jotform.com/JPNL/SC2021-01_EN. An independent commission will select the participants. For more information, please contact us at sheltercityATjusticeandpeace.nl.
• For last year’s call, see: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/tag/shelter-city-program/

This entry was posted on November 24, 2020 at 13:21 and is filed under Human Rights Defenders.

Tags: call for applications, Human Rights Defenders, Justice and Peace Netherlands, Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (SIM), relocation, Shelter City program, temporary relief, training