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“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
HRC54: HRHF welcomes renewal of Russia Special Rapporteur’s mandate
HRHF welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s (HRC) adoption of a new resolution on Russia, which renews the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation.
HRC54: Human rights in Georgia
Human Rights House Foundation issued a statement on 11 October 2023 at the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting the rise of radical anti-rights groups in Georgia, concerns for the human rights situation in Russian-occupied South Ossetia, as well as recommending that the capacity of the Public Defender’s office is increased.
National Assembly of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska must drop the draft foreign agent law
We, the undersigned members of the Network of Human Rights Houses, are concerned by the attempt to suppress independent civil society and drastically narrow free civic space for the essential and legitimate activities of human rights defenders in Republika Srpska of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
HRC54: Human rights in Crimea and the newly occupied territories of Ukraine
On 9 October 2023, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement at HRC54, highlighting the human rights situation in Crimea and the newly occupied territories of Ukraine. In particular, HRHF drew attention to the situations for imprisoned human rights defenders Vladyslav Yesypenko Emir-Usein Kuku and Iryna Danylovych.
When I communicate with [political prisoners] and their relatives, I tell them that [legal action] will not significantly affect their immediate situation, but it must be done.
On 24 February 2022, human rights lawyer Serghiy Zayets and his family became internally displaced persons (IDPs) for the second time as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion. They fled Irpin for Western Ukraine, where they still live today. Originally from Crimea, Zayets and his family fled the peninsula in 2014 following the Russian occupation. In this interview with HRHF, Zayets gives insight into his fight for the human rights of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russian custody and the volatile nature of living and working in a war zone.
States should refrain from voting for Russia in upcoming UN Human Rights Council election
HRHF joins other international NGOs in calling on UN Member States to refrain from voting for Russia at the UN Human Rights Council elections on 10 October in New York.
HRC54: Freedom of expression in Serbia
On 3 October 2023, during Serbia’s UPR adoption, Human Rights House Foundation welcomed 27 recommendations made related to freedom of expression and urged their implantation. HRHF also offered its own recommendations to Serbia related to journalists, judges and lawyers, and public participation.