Photograph by Maria Indjeian Diaz
The city of Amstelveen has joined the network of Shelter City, becoming the 14th Shelter City in the Netherlands. On 9th April, the launch of Shelter City Amstelveen was officiated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the municipality of Amstelveen, Lawyers for Lawyers, and Justice & Peace Netherlands at the Amstelveen city hall.
Shelter City offers human rights defenders, such as journalists, lawyers, community leaders and artists, a safe and inspiring space for 3 months. Shelter City is made up of cities, organizations and individuals standing side by side with human rights defenders. The city of Amstelveen is now part of a growing global movement of 24 Shelter Cities in 10 countries.
Shelter City Amstelveen will be coordinated by Lawyers for Lawyers in partnership with the municipality of Amstelveen and in cooperation with the Center for International Criminal Justice (CICJ) at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This new Shelter City will focus on supporting human rights lawyers who are at risk due to their work, by offering a holistic respite programme specifically designed for lawyers, where they will have the opportunity to rest and re-energize while receiving support tailored to their needs and connecting with local allies. The first Shelter City Amstelveen guest will be hosted in September 2025.
Who are human rights defenders?
Human rights defenders are people who stand up for peace, justice, and fundamental freedoms in their country or community, individually or collectively. They advocate for a range of different human rights issues and causes, such as women’s equality, environmental rights, freedom of expression, and access to education, among many others. Human rights defenders continue to show strength and resilience, whilst working towards a more equal and just society, advocating for social change despite the risks, challenges, and heavy resistance that they face.
About Shelter City
Shelter City is an initiative that was founded in 2012 by Justice & Peace Netherlands. Shelter City offers a temporary respite to human rights defenders at risk as a concrete and accessible way to support human rights globally. At Shelter City, human rights defenders can re-energize, safely continue their work, and focus on their wellbeing. There are currently 24 Shelter Cities around the world that have supported over 1000 human rights defenders.
