Posts Tagged ‘Netherlands’
March 13, 2018
The Geuzen Medal (Geuzenpenning) for 2018 is awarded to Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage. This was announced 12 January 2018, by the Geuzenpenning Foundation in the Netherlands. Today 13 March was the ceremony where Princess Mabel van Oranje, Chair of Girls Not Brides, and Executive Director Lakshmi Sundaram, were presented with the medal. For more on the Geuzen Medal (which started in 1987) see http://trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/awards/geuzenpenning
[More than 700 million women alive today were married before the age of 18. Each year, 15 million girls are married and their youth comes to an abrupt end. This is unacceptable, according to Girls Not Brides; an organisation which has been working to end child marriage since 2011. Girls Not Brides is a worldwide partnership. Approximately a thousand organisations in over 95 countries work together with one common goal: to stop child marriage within a generation. Girls Not Brides member organisations work across sectors including health, education, human rights and humanitarian response.]
Girls Not Brides started in 2011 and was co-founded by Princess Mabel van Oranje and The Elders. 
There is no simple solution to ending child marriage. Girls Not Brides has therefore developed the Theory of Change. Four interlinked strategies play a key role: make girls resilient and empower them, mobilise families and communities; provide support and services to unmarried and married girls; and create and implement good laws and policies.
Since its inception, the Girls Not Brides global partnership and its members have tirelessly worked to ensure that child marriage is on the global agenda and that it remains there. Many national, regional and local governments are now much more aware of the damaging impact that child marriage has, and are providing support to girls to give them a different future. Furthermore, many countries have taken steps to tighten their laws against child marriage; some of them have also started campaigns against this practice. The goal is now to stop child marriage by 2030, as included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. Until every girl has the right to choose for herself when, whether and with whom they will marry, the work to stop child marriage will never be over.
https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/press-release-girls-not-brides-receives-nationale-postcode-loterij-award/
Posted in awards, human rights | 1 Comment »
Tags: child marriage, digest of human rights awards, Geuzen medal, Geuzenpenning, Girls not Brides, human rights award, international campaign, Lakshmi Sundaram, Netherlands, Princess Mabel van Oranje, rights of children, The Elders
September 15, 2017
Justice and Peace Netherlands supports human rights defenders worldwide with trainings, its temporary relocation programme Shelter City and advocacy. In The Netherlands it organises Welkom Hier festivals together with local partners and refugees.
The Human Rights Defenders Programme has two aspects:
- Shelter City, in which Human Rights Defenders at risk are temporarily relocated in The Netherlands for 3 months in order to rest and respite, gain new knowledge, energy, and expand their network.
- The Hague Training Course (THTC), in which they participate in 10-day training course that aims to support Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) by facilitating the strengthening of their knowledge and skills on 4 main modules: training of trainers, holistic security (physical, digital, psychological), advocacy and policy influencing and international protection mechanisms.
Its Human Rights Defenders and Security programme offers – from mid-October to mid-December 2017 – an Internship (32 hours a week). The internship includes activities related to the aforementioned 2 projects. Candidates should have the following competences:
- A Bachelor or Master’s degree level student in a discipline related to (international) human rights, law, social sciences, politics;
- Excellent oral and written skills in English language (in addition French and/or Spanish are highly valued);
- Result-oriented, flexible, stress resistant, professional, team player, open and creative mind, analytical skills.
The internship fee is €400 gross per month for a full work week of 36 hours. We also provide full reimbursement of travel expenses (2nd class public transport).
If interested send your motivation and CV to Marieke van der Vliet, Head of Programmes, vacature@justiceandpeace.nl, citing ‘Internship HRDs Programme’ .
Deadline: 30 September 2017. Interviews will take place beginning October. For more information: Manon Muti: manon.muti@justiceandpeace.nl or +31 (0)70-7631419.
Source: Internship: Human Rights Defenders & Security Programme at Justice and Peace NL (The Hague) – Career Service Rechten
Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: Human Rights Defenders, internship, job opportunity, Justice and Peace Netherlands, Netherlands, refugees, the Hague, training, vacancy
June 8, 2017
The Hague Training Course on Security
https://en.justiceandpeace.nl/agenda/the-hague-training-course-on-security-3
From 21 June to 30 June 2017, Justice and Peace Netherlands organises the 7th edition of the ‘The Hague Training Course on Human Rights Defenders and Security’ (THTC).[see https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2015/03/30/2nd-the-hague-training-course-for-human-rights-defenders-security-now-open-for-application/ and also https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2016/12/02/the-hague-defenders-days-from-5-to-10-december-2016/]
Shelter City, Call for applications
https://sheltercity.nl/new-call-for-shelter-city/
Justice and Peace is launching a new call for Human Rights Defenders to participate in the Shelter City Initiative. <http://en.justiceandpeace.nl/human-rights-defenders-and-security/shelter-city-initiative> The Shelter City Initiative offers human rights defenders a possibility for rest and respite by letting them escape temporarily from a threatening situation. Shelter City offer a safe space to human rights defenders at a moment where they are particularly vulnerable and their security can no longer be guaranteed at home. Meant for human rights defenders who might be helped with a short relocation programme, because they are threatened or under intense pressure due to their work.
Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:
- The applicant must be a human rights defender (HRD) in the broad sense of the word (lawyers, members of NGOs, poets or artists can all apply, as long as their work promotes Human Rights or he/she fights against human rights violations)
- The HRD is threatened or otherwise under intense pressure and can be helped by a short period of time abroad
- The HRD should be able and willing to return to the country of origin after 3 months
- The HRD should be willing to speak out in public and speak basic English (limited spots are available for French or Spanish speaking HRDs)
- The HRD should be willing/able to come alone
- The HRD has to be willing to come to the Netherlands around September 2017
Note that additional factors will be taken into consideration in the final round of selection, such as the added value of a stay in The Netherlands (giving priority to those working at grass-roots level), the possibility for the HRD to make use of the new contacts and knowledge after they return, and gender and geographical balance. HRDs who are already relocated in a third country will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances.
To apply or submit the application of a human rights defender, please e-mail sheltercity@justiceandpeace.nl. You will then receive an application form. Application forms must be returned before 25 June 2017. An independent commission will select the participants. Note that the selected human rights defenders will not be automatically allowed into the shelter programme as Justice and Peace is not in control of issuing the required visas to enter The Netherlands. For more information, please contact us at sheltercity@justiceandpeace.nl.
Campaign: Are we all human rights defenders? Join us
https://en.justiceandpeace.nl/news/are-we-all-human-rights-defenders
Every individual can make a change. No matter your age, gender, beliefs, education, profession, social situation or background. It doesn’t matter at what scale. You are a potential change maker, willing to help others. We are all human rights defenders.
Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 3 Comments »
Tags: call for nominations, campaign, Hague’s Shelter City Program, Human Rights Defenders, Justice and Peace Netherlands, Netherlands, security, the Hague, training course
March 24, 2017
Interesting example of how governments (here the EU) can work together to protect human rights defenders in a specific country (here Uganda). Since a few years there is an annual EU HRD Award to recognise and honour the achievements of an individual Human Rights Defender active in Uganda.
EU Heads of mission with the 2016 EU Human Rights Defender Award recipient, Robert Sempala in May 2016.
Now the British High Commission in Kampala, together with other European Union member states represented in Uganda, is inviting nominations for the 2017 EU Human Rights Defenders Award. The broad range of activities carried out by HRDs can include the following:
- documenting human rights violations;
- seeking remedies for victims of human rights violations through the provision of legal, psychological, medical or other support;
- combating the culture of impunity which can hide systematic and repeated breaches of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
- mainstreaming a human rights culture, and transmitting information about HRDs at the national, regional and international levels;
- advocacy for the respect of human rights.
Nominations should be sent by e-mail to: Kampala.Reception@fco.gov.uk. Nominations should be a maximum of one page in length, and should use the following nomination form (MS Word Document, 51.5KB). The deadline for nominations is 14 April 2017. The winner will be announced on 25 May 2017 at a ceremony hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda.
Source: 2017 EU Human Rights Defenders Award: Call for nominations – GOV.UK
Posted in awards, EU, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: call for nominations, EU, human rights awards, Human Rights Defenders, national award, Netherlands, Robert Sempala, Uganda, UK
December 2, 2016
Justice and Peace NL with support from the City of the Hague and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organizing “The Hague Defenders Days” from 5 to 10 December 2016. A wide range of activities (debates, films and even a ball) are planned culminating in the ceremony of the Tulip Award on Human Rights Day 10 December. Most activities are open to the public (but not the Tulip ceremony):
Let’s celebrate the International Human Rights – and Human Rights Defenders Days in the city of peace and justice! Take the opportunity to learn from their experiences and share your own. Meet human rights defenders, debate about your rights, think out of the box and dance at the Human Rights Ball. Discover the defender or rebel in you! Download the flyer.
PROGRAMME
Portraits of Dutch and international human rights defenders by photographers Anette Brolenius and Daniella van Bergen.
5-10 December / Het Nutshuis
11.00 – 16.00 – Admission: free
Click here for more information
Watch this documentary and be part of a global one year campaign for respect and equality.
6 December / Het Nutshuis
20.00 – Admission: free
Click here for more information
With: Nighat Dad, the Pakistani winner of the Dutch Human Rights Tulip Award 2016.
7 December / The Hague University
19.30 – Admission: free
Click here for more information
What makes a human rights defender? With: Nighat Dad, Hans Jaap Melissen, Saskia Stolz en Hassnae Bouazza.
9 December / B-Unlimited (Library Spui)
20.30 – Tickets €10 / €7: www.b-unlimited.nl
Come and celebrate universal rights with 20 worldwide human rights defenders! With: Dj Socrates, Meet & Greet, Photobooth, live music…
10 December / Nutshuis
20.30 – Tickets €10 / €6: www.justiceandpeace.nl/humanrightsball
Source: The Hague Defenders Days
Posted in awards, films, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 2 Comments »
Tags: campaign, event, Human Rights Defenders, human rights film, Justice and Peace Netherlands, music, Netherlands, Out & About (film), profiles, the Hague, The Hague Defenders Days, Tulip award
November 6, 2016
The 2016 Human Rights Tulip has been awarded to the Pakistani internet activist Nighat Dad stated the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, 6 November 2016.
Human Rights Tulip Photo: Aad Meijer/Newsroom BZ
The Human Rights Tulip is an annual prize awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to human rights defenders who take an innovative approach to promoting human rights. The prize consists of a bronze sculpture (see picture above) and €100,000, which is intended to enable recipients to further develop their work. [for last year’s award: https://thoolen.wordpress.com/2015/12/12/2015-human-rights-tulip-awarded-to-ira-mauritania/]
‘Human rights defenders are modern-day heroes,’ said minister Bert Koenders ‘Despite the many threats she has received, Nighat Dad continues to fight to improve adherence to human rights in Pakistan in a unique and innovative way. Ms Dad is a pioneer who is working to remove everyday obstacles to internet access, especially those that affect women.’
Ms Dad is a staunch defender of digital rights and the importance of protecting women and girls and marginalised groups on social media. Mr Koenders hopes that this prize will serve as a gesture of support for the freedom of internet users, especially women. In 2012 Ms Dad founded the Digital Rights Foundation, which supports female internet users in the form of digital security training courses, public awareness campaigns and the newly created Cyber Harassment Helpline. Ms Dad’s approach enables her to reach women throughout Pakistan, including those in more remote areas of the country. She was awarded the Atlantic Council Digital Freedom Award 2016 and was among six ‘next generation leaders’ named by TIME Magazine last year.
Source: Nighat Dad recipient of 2016 Human Rights Tulip | News item | Government.nl
http://www.dawn.com/news/1294671/pakistani-digital-rights-activist-nighat-dad-awarded-2016-human-rights-tulip-award
Posted in awards, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 2 Comments »
Tags: Bert Koenders, Digital Rights Foundation, digital security, human rights award, internet, Netherlands, Nighat Dad, Pakistan, Tulip award, woman human rights defender
September 1, 2016
On 2-3 September 2016, the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) hosts the 2016 Association of Human Rights Institutes Conference. The conference is entitled “50 Years of the Two UN Human Rights Covenants: Legacies and Prospects” and will be attended by many human rights scholars from around the world. There will be nearly 100 speakers, a number of them SIM researchers, presenting on six major themes:
(i) the indivisibility and interactions of norms and regimes;
(ii) citizenship, migrants and refugees;
(iii) non-state actors and human rights;
(iv) the EU and human rights;
(v) the global economy and human rights; and
(vi) new avenues in human rights research.The United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, Zeid Ra’adAl Hussein, will close the conference by giving the 2016 SIM Peter Baehr lecture.
Posted in human rights, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Association of Human Rights Institutes, meeting, Netherlands, Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (SIM), Peter Baehr lecture, UN conventions, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Bin Raad al-Husseini
April 19, 2016
Two of Azerbaijan‘s most prominent human rights defenders have arrived in the Netherlands after the authorities in Baku suddenly granted them permission to leave.
Leyla and Arif Yunus
RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service reported on 19 April 2016 that Leyla Yunus and her husband, Arif, were greeted by their daughter, Dinara Yunus, who lives in the Netherlands, upon landing at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on April 19, according to Dutch media reports. Welcoming the two, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said Leyla and Arif Yunus, who are seeking asylum in the Netherlands, “had put their own safety and happiness at stake in the struggle for democracy and human rights“.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Arif Yunus, asylum seekers, Azerbaijian, Bert Koenders, Dinara Yunus, Khadija Ismayilova, Leyla Yunus, Netherlands, release, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service, travel ban
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 