Human Rights House Network is a forum of co-operation between the established and emerging Human Rights Houses. Since 1989, various NGOs in Bergen, Oslo, London, Baku, Vilnius (Belarus in exile), Warsaw, Moscow, Sarajevo, Nairobi, Kampala, Zagreb, Skopje, and Geneva have become part of the Network.

The Challenge
Universal human rights have become widely accepted as the moral and ethical foundation of human co-existence, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs. Worldwide, independent human rights organisations defend individuals from human rights violations. In doing this, human rights organisations face a number of challenges. They often lack adequate funding and working facilities, and they are subject to harassment and persecution. A Human Rights House can provide a solution to these challenges.

The Concept
A Human Rights House is a working community of human rights organisations. The purpose is to: 

• Enhance co-operation and joint activities by bringing human rights groups together in one location. Such activities include the provision of free legal aid to victims of human rights abuses, human rights schools and training.
  
  
• Save costs by sharing facilities such as conference rooms and human rights documentation centre
  
  
• Make the member organizations more visible and accessible both at national and international level
  
  
• Improve security of human rights defenders
  
  
• Host meeetings, seminars and other events

The Network
Regional human rights defenders call for an increased moral support and solidarity, rapid actions in cases of violations and access to the regional and international arena. They want to reach out to a broader audience and strengthen their fundraising abilities.  

By staying together in local and international networks we learn from each other, increase visibility for human rights and give courage to the local human rights defenders to continue their work locally. Thus, the Human Rights House Network (HRHN) protects, strengthens and supports human rights organisations.