Call for applications is now open! Photos by Maria Diaz Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for human rights defenders at risk to participate in Shelter City Netherlands. The deadline for applications is 10 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST (Central European Summer Time). Help us reach more human rights defenders at risk and in need of temporary relocation to a safer space by sharing this call with your network.Shelter City is a global movement of cities, organizations and people who stand side by side with human rights defenders at risk. Shelter City provides temporary safe and inspiring spaces for human rights defenders at risk where they re-energize, receive tailormade support and engage with allies. The term ‘human rights defender’ is intended to refer to the broad range of activists, journalists and independent media professionals, scholars, writers, artists, lawyers, civil and political rights defenders, civil society members, and others working to advance human rights and democracy around the world in a peaceful manner. From March 2026 onwards, 14 cities in the Netherlands will receive human rights defenders for a period of three months. At the end of their stay in the Netherlands, participants are expected to return with new tools and energy to carry out their work at home.  Asser Institute Fellowship (only available for English accompaniment beginning in September 2026)Justice & Peace and the Asser Institute have established a collaborative relationship to strengthen and support the capacity of local human rights defenders worldwide. In the context of the Institute’s Visiting Researchers Programme, the Asser Institute hosts one Fellow per year within the framework of the Shelter City initiative by Justice & Peace. The fellowship will take place in September 2026.The selected Fellow will carry out a research project during the three-month period and take part in other relevant human rights (research) activities of the Asser Institute. In line with these activities, closer to the end of the three-month period, the Fellow will have to present the relevant research findings in a public or closed event. The Fellow may also participate in other (public) events like lectures or (panel) discussions. |
| To be eligible for Shelter City Netherlands, human rights defenders should meet the following conditions:They implement a non-violent approach in their work;They are threatened or otherwise under pressure due to their work or activism;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;They have a valid passport (with no less than 18 months of validity at the time of applying) or are willing to carry out the procedures necessary for its issuance. Justice & Peace covers the costs of issuing a passport and/or visa (if applicable);They are not subject to any measure or judicial prohibition to leave the country;They are willing to begin their stay in the Netherlands around March 2026. *By conversational English, we mean that participants’ level of English allows them to actively participate in training, speak about their work, communicate with the host city, etc. 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 as well as gender, geographic, and thematic balance. Please note that only under exceptional circumstances are we able to accept human rights defenders currently residing in a third country.  Apply nowApplication forms must be submitted by 10 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST (Central European Summer Time). An independent commission will select the participants.Apply now!Note that selected human rights defenders will not automatically participate in Shelter City as Justice & Peace is not in control of issuing the required visas to enter the Netherlands. For more information, please contact us at info@sheltercity.org |
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 