Events

Way forward for Human Rights

Criminalisation and repression of human rights defenders is not the right way forward for Europe. This panel explores how human rights defenders will confront the realities of an increasingly hostile political environment.

Published: September 6, 2015

When: Wednesday, 9. September 2015 14:00-16:30
To: Wednesday, 9. September 2015
Where: Oslo, Litteraturhuset, Wergelandsveien 29
Host: Human Rights House Network

Moderated by Riz Khan
International Journalist Prominent media professional, television host and author who rose to prominence as a journalist for BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera English.

Panellists:

Sanja Sarnavka
B.a.B.e., Human Rights House Zagreb
Prominent women’s rights defender who is a leading figure in Croatian civil society.
Maina Kiai
United Nations Special Rapporteur
Defining figure of Kenya’s human rights community and an outspoken UN representative.
Emin Milli
Meydan TV
Former political prisoner in Azerbaijan, now building a media outlet that stands against repression.
Prof. Bernt Hagtvet
University of Oslo
Specialist on authoritarian regimes, European politics, extremist movements and human rights. Board Member, Human Rights House Foundation.

Opening Remarks:

Olemic Thommessen
President of the Norwegian Parliament Politician and civil society actor who has been involved in culture, human rights, and democracy for three decades.

Documents:

Way forward for Human Rights

Latest

Opinion

November 21, 2024

Serbia’s Shrinking Civic Space Needs International Attention

In recent months, Serbia has witnessed an alarming crackdown on its civic space. This has unfolded through a wave of arrests, smear campaigns, and repressive tactics aimed at silencing dissent and undermining democratic principles. These actions, exacerbated by growing Russian and Chinese influence, reveal a systematic effort of Serbia’s authorities to suppress civil society and stifle public dissent.

Statements

November 7, 2024

EU Leaders Should Raise Human Rights Crisis in Azerbaijan during COP29

Human Rights House Foundation joins a joint-statement from INGOs led by Human Rights Watch urging EU leaders to press the Azerbaijani Authorities to end its renewed and intensified crackdown on critical voices and independent civil society.

Impact

October 31, 2024

Advocating for increased support for civil society, and marking 30 years of the Network of Human Rights Houses

From October 7-11, 2024, 15 human rights defenders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine gathered for a week of advocacy as a part of the Network of Human Rights Houses’ 30th anniversary celebrations. Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) and Network partners aimed to deepen engagement with Norwegian policymakers and raise awareness of critical human rights challenges across the region, emphasising the need for increased political and financial support from Norway for civil society.