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About us

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) envisions a world in which everyone can freely and safely promote and enjoy all human rights. Empowered human rights defenders and strong and independent civil society are key to this vision.

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About us

Human Rights House Foundation establishes, supports, and connects Human Rights Houses – coalitions of civil society organisations working together to advance human rights at home and abroad. Today, more than 80 civil society organisations are united in Human Rights Houses in an international network active across Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the Caucasus.Together, we advocate for the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression and the right to be a human rights defender. These four rights underpin a strong and independent civil society and protect and empower human rights defenders.

How we make a difference

Human Rights House Foundation works closely with Human Rights Houses and partner organisations to advocate for and fulfil rights that underpin independent civil society and make it possible to hold institutions and individuals accountable.

We establish and support Human Rights Houses. The Houses and the Human Rights House concept are core to everything Human Rights House Foundation does: from advocacy and awareness raising, to capacity building and protection, all of our work is rooted in and linked to the Human Rights Houses.

The Human Rights House concept is built around the enduring values of solidarity and partnership. While each Human Rights House is unique, all houses are collaborative, independent, relevant, sustainable, effective, and united.

We connect Human Rights Houses, building an international network for change and freedoms.

Alongside Human Rights Houses and partner organisations, we advocate for the fundamental freedoms of assembly, association, and expression, and the right to be a human rights defender. We support the passage, and effective implementation, of national policies and legislation, by robust and independent state institutions, based on strong international standards and mechanisms.

HRHF is an international organisation headquartered in Oslo with an office in Geneva and representation in Brussels and Tbilisi. HRHF holds consultative status at the United Nations and participatory status at the Council of Europe. HRHF is a strategic framework partner within the EU Eastern Partnership.

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Staff

HRHF Staff, January 2024.

HRHF’s staff members are based in our offices in Oslo, Geneva, Brussels, and Tbilisi, as well as remote locations in Europe. 

Find out more about our staff members.

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Governance

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) is an independent, international not-for-profit human rights organisation registered in Norway. HRHF’s governance structure serves to guarantee our independence, impartiality, and accountability. It ensures we deliver on our mandate and adapt to shifting environments to better meet human rights challenges.

Statutes

HRHF’s governance is set out in its statutes, as amended in January 2017. Read HRHF’s statutes in English and Norwegian.

Board

The Board of the Human Rights House Foundation meets four to five times a year. It oversees the work of HRHF, guides the organisation’s strategy and direction, and approves its finances and budgets. The Board is comprised of academics, lawyers, people from the business world, civil society representatives, and experts in specialist fields.

Find out more about our Board members.

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For media

Contact

For general enquiries, contact info@humanrightshouse.org.

For media enquiries, contact dave.elseroad@humanrightshouse.org.

For specific requests, reach out to HRHF staff directly.

Organisation description

Shorter

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) establishes, supports, and connects Human Rights Houses – coalitions of civil society organisations working together to advance human rights at home and abroad. Together, we advocate for the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression and the right to be a human rights defender. These four rights underpin a strong and independent civil society and protect and empower human rights defenders.

Longer

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) envisions a world in which everyone can freely and safely promote and enjoy all human rights. Empowered human rights defenders and strong and independent civil society are key to this vision.

Human Rights House Foundation establishes, supports, and connects Human Rights Houses – coalitions of civil society organisations working together to advance human rights at home and abroad. Today, more than 80 civil society organisations are united in Human Rights Houses in an international network active across Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the Caucasus.

Together, we advocate for the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression and the right to be a human rights defender. These four rights underpin a strong and independent civil society and protect and empower human rights defenders.

HRHF is an international non-profit organisation headquartered in Oslo with an office in Geneva and representation in Brussels and Tbilisi. HRHF holds consultative status at the United Nations and participatory status at the Council of Europe.

Access our photo archive 

Images in our photo archive are free for anyone to use. Please credit humanrightshouse.org.