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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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
HRC54: Human rights in the occupied territories of Ukraine
On 25 September 2023, during the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry at HRC54, Human Rights House Foundation highlighted the work of Ukrainian partners in documenting the dire circumstances facing civilians in the occupied territories of Ukriane.