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In recent months, Serbia has witnessed some of the largest protests in its modern history. With slogans like “Corruption kills” and “Pumpaj!” (“Pump it!”) students have emerged as the driving force behind these leaderless demonstrations, supported by the wider civil society while intentionally distancing themselves from it. In this op-ed, Uroš Jovanović from Civic Initiatives – a member organisation of Human Rights House Belgrade – explores the roots of the protests, the strategies used to intimidate civil society, and the muted response of international actors.

The European Union should defend the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid serious attacks on its mandate and mission, said a group of INGOs on 4 April 2025. These attacks could undermine justice for victims of serious international crimes around the world, making urgent EU action to uphold the international rules-based order.

During the 2025 Democracy Defender Award seminar in Vienna, HRHF issued recommendations to OSCE States on how to address shrinking space for civil society. HRHF Congratulates Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association for the well-deserved recognition of their commitment to advancing democracy and human rights in Georgia.

In 2024, Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) worked closely with the Network of Human Rights Houses and other civil society partners to protect and promote human rights amidst increasing challenges, including rising authoritarianism. Find out more in HRHF’s 2024 annual report.

In 2024, HRHF offered one-on-one support for advocates from the Network of Human Rights Houses as part of its strategic coaching and mentoring work. This included working closely with partners like Anastasiya Dziubanava from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, who was involved in advocating on two key resolution processes on Belarus at the UN Human Rights Council on the establishment of the Group of Independent Experts and the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. In this interview, Dziubanava shares insight into these processes.

At HRC58, HRHF urged the Georgian authorities to lift restrictions against Human Rights House Tbilisi, to repeal laws that target civil society, and to ensure accountability for violence against human rights defenders and protesters.

Members of the Network of Human Rights Houses condemn the recent actions of the Georgian authorities against independent human rights organisation Human Rights House Tbilisi and call for immediate stop of the investigation and reversal of the decision to freeze all of the organisation’s bank accounts.

At HRC58, HRHF raised the situation for children in the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian political prisoners held by the Russian Federation.

HRHF joins several INGOs in urging UN member states to support the adoption of Human Rights Council draft resolution L.22, to renew the mandate of UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at HRC58.

On 19 March 2025, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement on Ukraine at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council calling for full cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry, and for the international community to continue its vital support to victims and survivors of Russia’s war against Ukraine, ensuring accountability for the international crimes.

On 19 March 2025, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting the continued imprisonment of human rights defenders in Belarus and the growing transnational repression faced by Belarusians in exile.

On 18 March 2025, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement focused on the situation for the independent media at the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting.