Short description

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) establishes and supports Human Rights Houses – coalitions of local independent civil society organisations working to advance human rights at home and abroad. Today 80 CSOs are united in the Network of Human Rights Houses, active across Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus. Together, we advocate for freedoms that underpin a strong and independent civil society and protect and empower human rights defenders.

Full description

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) envisions a world in which everyone can freely and safely promote and enjoy all human rights.

HRHF recognises that lasting human rights change can be achieved when a strong and independent civil society is united in solidarity and able to freely contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights at home and abroad. Human Rights Houses are central to HRHF’s work empowering civil society and advancing its vision.

HRHF is an international organisation that establishes and supports Human Rights Houses – coalitions of local independent civil society organisations working to advance human rights at home and abroad. Today 80 CSOs are united in the Network of Human Rights Houses, active across Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus.

In close partnership with the Network of Human Rights Houses, HRHF advocates at international and intergovernmental level to advance and protect fundamental rights that underpin independent civil society and make it possible to hold institutions and individuals accountable. HRHF advocates for inclusion and active participation of civil society, reports on human rights trends, and works to strengthen international human rights mechanisms and standards in order to influence the situation at the national level.

HRHF holds consultative status at the United Nations, participatory status at the Council of Europe, and is a Strategic Framework Partner of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership civil society initiative.

The Network of Human Rights Houses has a well-developed national and regional protection infrastructure and works to support human rights defenders at risk. 

HRHF was established in 1992 and is headquartered in Oslo with an office in Geneva and representation in Brussels and Tbilisi.

For general enquiries, contact info [at] humanrightshouse.org.

For media enquiries, contact media [at] humanrightshouse.org

These email addresses should be used to get in touch during both working hours and out-of-hours. We’ll try to get back to you as quickly as we can.

Images from our photo archive can be used for free. Please credit humanrightshouse.org where possible.