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December 8, 2023

Why we continue to defend human rights

Ahead of International Human Rights Day 2023, HRHF has spoken to several human rights defenders from around the Network of Human Rights Houses to ask them about the state of human rights in their countries and why they find it important to continue their work.

December 4, 2023

Reunited: Human Rights Houses Network Meeting 2023

After several years of unprecedented global events, the Network of Human Rights Houses convened in Warsaw from 20-24 November for the first in-person Network meeting since 2019. Colleagues from 28 CSOs from 12 countries reconnected to discuss successes, common challenges, and emerging human rights trends. Together, the Network welcomed its newest member, Human Rights House Banja Luka.

November 28, 2023

Olha Skrypnyk on HRDs recommendations for the upcoming UN Resolution on Crimea

In December 2023, the UN General Assembly will vote for the eighth resolution on the situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Human Rights House Crimea (HRH Crimea) member organisations have submitted recommendations to the resolution. This year, their emphasis is on new trends emerging amid the full-scale Russian aggression. In this interview originally published by HRH Crimea, Olha Skrypnyk, head of the Crimean Human Rights Group and co-coordinator of the Expert Network of the Crimean Platform, gives insight into these proposals and highlights the significance of this resolution and international advocacy efforts.

November 28, 2023

Open letter on EU and several European states’ concerning decision to suspend and review of funding to Palestinian and Israeli NGOs

In an open letter, Human Rights House Foundation joins Amnesty International and 97 other civil society organisations in expressing serious concern at the EU and several European states‘ decision to suspend or review their funding to Palestinian and Israeli civil society organisations.

November 23, 2023

Rights of Defenders: 20 standards and principles 20 standards related to the rights of human rights defenders

In 2023, Human Rights House Foundation launched an update to the Rights of Defenders booklet. The update coincides with the 25th anniversary of the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the updated booklet expands on the original 16 standards that we first published in 2018.

November 16, 2023

Shelling and disguises: a human rights defender’s life under Russian occupation

Oksana Tropina is a human rights defender from Kherson. She remained in the city during the Russian occupation from February to November 2022. In this interview, she discusses life and human rights under occupation as well as evacuation.

November 9, 2023

Open letter: We refuse to let the Anti-SLAPP Directive be a missed opportunity

74 civil society organisations including Human Rights House Foundation have written to the European Commission, the European Parliament’s rapporteur, the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council and the Ministers of Justice of all EU Member States to reiterate their concerns regarding the trilogue process of the anti-SLAPP Directive. Members of the CASE coalition urge the European institutions to negotiate the strongest possible Anti-SLAPP Directive that effectively protects public watchdogs.

October 27, 2023

“On the first morning of the full-scale invasion [of Ukraine], we were all back in the Theatre together at 11 am. It was exactly the right place to be.”

From 29-30 September 2023, the Lesia Ukrainka Theatre visited Oslo to perform at the National Theatre its first play since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as participate in the panel discussion “When Art Rebels”. Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) spoke to the Theatre’s project manager Viktoria Shvydko to discuss the role of the arts during wartime.

October 26, 2023

“I have had the privilege of working with so many brave, inspiring and talented human rights defenders in many countries. They have taught me so much.” Ane Tusvik Bonde

Ane Tusvik Bonde joined Amnesty Norway in September 2023 following almost two decades with the Human Rights House Foundation. In this interview, Ane shares her reflections about the significance of the Human Rights House concept, the Network and the power of solidarity.

October 25, 2023

Holding Russia accountable for violations at home and abroad and other priorities at HRC54

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) was active throughout the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) advocating on key issues including calling for the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, as well as the issue of reprisals for civil society engaging with the UN, and the human rights situations in Belarus, Georgia, Serbia and Ukraine.

October 23, 2023

Georgian authorities must immediately reverse steps taken to limit civic space

HRHF is concerned by the Georgian authorities’ on-going efforts to criminalise, hinder, and de-legitimise the essential work of civil society and obstruct peaceful protests. We call on the Georgian authorities to reverse restrictions on civic space and create an enabling environment for human rights defenders and other civic actors.

October 20, 2023

Building the capacity of the next generation of Council of Europe changemakers

14 human rights defenders refined their advocacy skills and deepened their knowledge of Council of Europe (CoE) advocacy throughout 2023 as part of the Human Rights House Foundation’s Advocacy Capacity Building Programme, co-funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union.