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From October 7-11, 2024, 15 human rights defenders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine gathered for a week of advocacy as a part of the Network of Human Rights Houses’ 30th anniversary celebrations. Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) and Network partners aimed to deepen engagement with Norwegian policymakers and raise awareness of critical human rights challenges across the region, emphasising the need for increased political and financial support from Norway for civil society.

Asria Taleb Mohamed is a human rights defender from Western Sahara who works for the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara, a member of the Norwegian Council for Africa (a member organisation of Human Rights House Oslo), and advocates for women’s rights, international law, the right to self-determination, and the rights of refugees. With a background in journalism, Taleb Mohamed’s work is focused on informing the world about Western Sahara, through art, media and public speaking.

On 27 September 2024, Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) addressed the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, calling for the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and Belarus, detained in retaliation for their human rights work. HRHF also highlighted its designation as an “undesirable organisation” by the Russian Federation as a reprisal for its UN-focused advocacy.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, the resilience of those affected is tested daily. The psychological toll on the Ukrainian population is profound, with widespread reports of trauma, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Ukrainian civil society organisations have mobilised to provide critical support to those in need while often needing support themselves. HRHF asked the partners from the Network of Human Rights Houses about the connection between mental health and human rights and what kind of role mental health support plays in the resilience of Ukrainian civil society.

The human rights situation across the regions where Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) works was further influenced by military conflict and crackdown against independent civil society. Despite this, we continued to work closely with the Network of Human Rights Houses to protect and advance human rights. Read our 2023 Annual Report.

I anledning av regjeringens første konferanse om statsbudsjettet for 2025, har Human Rights House Foundation, sammen med Amnesty International Norge, Raftostiftelsen, den norske Hesingforskomité, Menneskerettighetsfondet og SAIH sendt et brev der vi understreker betydningen av å øke støtten til menneskerettighetsarbeid globalt.

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.

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.

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.