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In 2022, 480+ participants new to human rights and of diverse backgrounds from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova participated in the “In Search for Solidarity” project. The project resulted in several joint initiatives and established cooperation across borders as participants explored shared history and challenges together.

At the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) continued to underline the alarming human rights trends prevailing in Eastern Europe. Alongside members of the Network of Human Rights Houses and other partners, HRHF once again urged the Council to adopt decisive measures in response to the pressing regional crisis, including on the issues of freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as well as pressure facing judges and lawyers.

We, the undersigned Georgian and international human rights and civil society organisations, condemn the 8 July attack against the Tbilisi Pride festival and call on the Georgia authorities to fully investigate and hold to accountable all those responsible.

On 26 June 2023 Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement at HRC53 on the challenges faced by human rights lawyers, particularly in Azerbaijan, as well as raising concerns about the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Europe. HRHF also asked the Special Rapporteur for recommendations for judges and lawyers that have had to flee their countries including Belarus and Russia.

On 23 June 2023, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting the situation for freedom of expression in Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, and Serbia.

Human Rights House Foundation and members of the Network of Human Rights Houses join their Georgian colleagues in a joint statement expressing solidarity with Georgian filmmaker Salome Jashi, her colleagues, and all the representatives of the art & cultural sector, as well as calling on the Georgian authorities to ensure a safe an enabling environment for artistic creativity in the country.

From 12-15 June 2023, 20 participants from the Network of Human Rights Houses gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, for “From Idea to Impact”, a workshop organised by Human Rights House Foundation focused on designing and implementing impactful human rights projects. The workshop was co-funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union.

On 26 June 2023, Human Rights House Foundation will host “The role of civil society in promoting & protecting human rights”, a pre-event at the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting. The event is organised by Human Rights House Foundation, Austausch e.V. & Netherlands Helsinki Committee with the financial support of the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The event is sponsored by Civic Solidarity Platform and Human Rights Houses Belgrade and Tbilisi.

In October 2022, human rights defender Olena Vinsent, fled increasing danger in occupied Crimea with her mother, their three cats and their dog, driving through Russia to reach safety in Georgia. Today she lives and carries out human rights work in Batumi and is still getting used to feeling safe.