2016 ANNUAL REPORT humanrightshouse.org
PROTECT EMPOWER SUPPORT
Network of Human Rights Houses Azerbaijan • Belarus (in exile) • Belgrade • Bergen • Chernihiv • London Moscow • Oslo • Sarajevo • Tbilisi • Voronezh • Warsaw • Yerevan • Zagreb Intigam Aliyev, pictured on the front cover as he is released from prison, is a prominent and widely respected Azerbaijani human rights lawyer. In April 2015, he was sentenced to seven “Human Rights House Foundation and a half years in prison on politically motivated charges, through its various programs, as before being conditionally well as through the Houses in Tbilisi, released in March 2016. He Vilnius, Belgrade and other places is an expert within the ILIA did everything to ensure that human programme established by the Human Rights Houses, which rights defenders, lawyers continued to provides education in human work and feel safe.” rights law. We celebrate his Intigam Aliyev release from prison, but regret Lawyer, human rights defender that he is still restricted by a travel ban.
Contents Editorial: Maria Dahle, Director 3
Human Rights House Foundation at a glance 4
2016 at a glance 6
Impacts 8
Human Rights Houses 22
Financial overview 2016 38
Organisational overview 2017 40
Meeting the challenges ahead 42
Copyright 2017 Human Rights HRHF Oslo office humanrightshouse.org House Foundation. All photos Kirkegata 5 without credit: Human Rights 0153 Oslo @HRHFoundation House Foundation Norway [email protected] /humanrightshousenetwork/
HRHF Geneva office /humanrightshousenetwork/ Rue de Varembé 1, 5th floor PO Box 35, 1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland [email protected] Human Rights House Foundation 2016
More important than ever
Civil society is a key driver for the protection circumstances, and refocus and mobilise and advancement of human rights at home resources and partnerships. Combined with and abroad. Yet the space for civil society greater influence on the human rights agenda, is shrinking, and human rights defenders we continue to defend civil society space are increasingly under threat around the and the fundamental rights to freedom of world. Repressions – present for many years association, assembly and expression – and the in countries such as Russia, Belarus, and right to be a human rights defender. Azerbaijan – are becoming more frequent and severe, and are spreading to countries such By empowering hundreds of human rights as Poland and Hungary. In this environment, defenders through protection, training, and the key principles of the universality and capacity building, we support their essential indivisibility of human rights are being eroded work and impact on the fulfilment of human and attacked. rights in their countries.
Authoritarian governments seem to hold on We celebrated the release of our Azerbaijani to their political and financial power at all cost. colleagues from prison, a highlight of 2016, To do so, they seek to silence independent while calling for the release of those still critical voices who promote human rights, behind bars. In November, we came together document abuses of power and function as for the Network Assembly of Human Rights watchdogs. The role and legitimacy of civil Houses, hosted at Human Rights House society is undermined through harassment, Belgrade. Building on our joint successes, we attacks, legislation criminalising their work, addressed common challenges, including the restrictions on travel, funding and operation spread of illiberal democracy and restrictions of organisations. This pressure creates fear on foreign funding, and set out plans to further of retaliation, erodes trust among journalists, address these challenges in 2017. human rights defenders, and activists, and limits their ability to pursue legitimate Together, we aim to be even more closely human rights work. In addition, the space connected through joint projects and for independent civil society is increasingly cooperation. An external evaluation in 2017 occupied by GONGOs (governmental of the Human Rights House concept and our organised non-governmental organisations). advocacy work will inform our new strategies for meeting the present challenges, and will Against these trends, our values of solidarity ensure that we and our partners remain and cooperation in networks are more dynamic, effective and sustainable. important than ever. The resilience, braveness and creativity we see among our partners is inspiring and offers hope. We can and must adapt to changing and deteriorating Maria Dahle Director
HRHF Annual Report 2016 3 Human Rights House Foundation at a glance Human Rights House Foundation at a glance
15 Human Rights Houses 12 Countries in Eastern Europe, Human Rights House Foundation Caucasus, The Balkans and and Human Rights Houses Western Europe 4 Human Rights House Foundation offices and
Rafto Foundation (Bergen) representations What? HRH Oslo HRHF (Oslo office) We protect, empower and support Key human rights defenders and their organisations locally, and unite Human Rights Houses them in an international network of Human Rights House Foundation Human Rights Houses.
Why? Russian Research Centre for Human Rights Everyone has the right to freedoms (Moscow) of assembly, association and Barys Zvozskau Belarusian HRH expression, and to be a human (in exile, Vilnius) rights defender. Helsinki Foundation How? HRH London for Human Rights HRH Voronezh We bring organisations together (Warsaw) in Human Rights Houses, and Educational HRH Chernihiv HRHF (Brussels representation) connect them in an international network based on cooperation and solidarity. This enables us to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building, and to support joint projects. HRHF advocates with HRH Zagreb and for partner organisations to HRHF (Geneva office) HRH Belgrade promote and advance strong human rights standards, which are essential for human rights defenders and their HRH Sarajevo organisations to work freely and HRH Tbilisi openly. HRHF (Tbilisi representation) HRH Yerevan
HRH Nakhchivan
HRH Azerbaijan (Baku)
4 HRHF Annual Report 2016 HRHF Annual Report 2016 5 2016 at a glance
Achieving impact
Organisations100 work in Human15 Rights Houses Countries12 with Human Human Rights Houses connected Rights Houses
Human400 rights defenders Human157 rights defenders Policy179 makers reached under threat supported and lawyers trained out to
6 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Impact 2016
IMPACT Stronger governance and more 1 sustainable Human Rights Houses
IMPACT Increased cooperation with and among 2 Human Rights Houses
IMPACT Greater visibility and political influence 3 on the human rights agenda
IMPACT Better protection for human rights 4 defenders and their organisations
HRHF Annual Report 2016 7 Impact 2016
Impact 1: Stronger together Achieving stronger governance and more sustainable Human Rights Houses
Houses help to enhance solidarity, cut Challenge The space for independent civil society is administrative costs, further increase shrinking globally. member NGOs’ visibility, and make Restrictive legislation and policies have member NGOs more accessible to become more widespread, making it victims and human rights defenders. increasingly difficult for independent organisations to access resources, to In 2016, all of the Houses raised organise and associate, and to work sufficient funds to cover their running openly. costs. Member organisations in eight of the Houses were active in joint projects and initiatives with other members. Impact The Human Rights House concept is With the support of the Human Rights designed to be flexible, but the overall House Foundation (HRHF), Human purpose of every House is to serve the Rights House Yerevan purchased the human rights cause, as part of the effort premises for a House in 2016 and started to strengthen civil society as a whole. preparations for renovation of the This is achieved through stimulating building. collaboration between member NGOs In 2016 HRHF, also looked to expand on human rights education, legal aid, the network of Houses, undertaking networking and advocacy. feasibility studies for a House in Moldova, and for an Azerbaijani House in exile.
A Human Rights House is a collaborative project of non-governmental organisations that work in partnership to promote human rights in their own country and abroad. It is a community of organisations, but also a physical structure – a building or an office that hosts the member organisations. A House is a long-term commitment to civil society.
8 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Impact 2016
Together we have impact
100%of Houses successfully of50% Houses received HRHF House58 organisations fundraised for office costs funding for projects signed letters of concern
Houses with8 joint projects Premises 1for HRH Yerevan New House2 locations among their member purchased explored organisations
HRHF Annual Report 2016 9 Impact 2016
Impact 2: Increased cooperation Strengthening the links among Human Rights Houses and HRHF through support, solidarity and expertise
Advocacy (ILIA) programme marked 10 Challenge Authoritarian States learn from one years of education in international human another and often employ the same rights standards. repressive tools against civil society. Cooperation, solidarity, and shared In March, HRHF assisted Educational resources, knowledge, and expertise – Human Rights House Chernihiv and across borders and between organisations Human Rights House Tbilisi in holding a – are ways for civil society and human seminar on the prevention and treatment rights defenders to respond to this of psychological burnout for Ukrainian repression. human rights defenders, who work in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea and are in urgent need of such support. Impact The Houses provide one another with regional and international support and More generally, the Houses and HRHF expertise. This, combined with support increased their cooperation in the area of from HRHF, strengthens their ability to communication, and saw an increase in face common challenges. external requests for action and expertise.
In 2016, the Houses undertook 10 joint Gathering for the Network Assembly in projects – including two or more Houses. November 2016, the Houses elaborated They increased their cooperation as part on their achievements and set out future of the network protection programme, plans. and the network’s International Law in
10 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Intigam Aliyev with Ramute Remezaite, who plays a vital role in defending his rights. Impact 2016
Together we have impact
Joint projects10 that include Houses15 shared ideas two or more Houses and plans at the Network Assembly
Years10 of education in 90%of lawyers trained work 325325 People participate in international human rights with Houses or human Human Rights Lawyers at standards rights organisations Risk online forum
HRHF Annual Report 2016 11 Impact 2016
Human rights defenders Zhanna Litvina, Tatsiana Reviaka, and Danuta Przywara at the 2016 Assembly in Belgrade
Lara Aharonian from Human Rights House Yerevan speaks as part of a panel at the 2016 Assembly
12 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Participants from different Houses and HRHF representatives in discussion at the 2016 Assembly Impact 2016
Network Assembly 2016 Looking to the future of the Houses and their work
In November 2016, we gathered in They should match grants with local Belgrade, Serbia, for the Network needs, consider support as an investment, Assembly, hosted and co-organised by and take a collaborative rather than Human Rights House Belgrade and HRHF. competitive approach. We will present our recommendations on foreign funding in Laying the foundations for further House- autumn 2017. to-House cooperation, each House presented the situation in their country, Joined by outside experts, we discussed their achievements, the challenges they face illiberal democracies and the strategies to and the support they can provide to and respond to them. Clear trends emerged need from other Houses. from the country examples given – Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Serbia, and Numerous Houses brought up threats Azerbaijan – such as the undermining of such as shrinking space for civil society, independent institutions and media, and competition from GONGOS, and the restrictive laws and policies against civil problem of human rights being perceived society. as something for the liberal elite. The Human Rights House model was Our “tool box” to respond to illiberal mentioned as a good platform to find ways democracies, to be launched in autumn to address these threats. Looking to the 2017, takes into account recommendations future, however, the model itself may need from the debate, such as: keep exposing to be adapted. abuses; make our work popular, attractive, and more accessible; reach out to young We must: make the most of civil society politicians to build their capacity on human being better connected than ever; embrace rights; and continue international advocacy the new generation of activists and better to raise awareness and put pressure on reach out to and engage broader sections illiberal democracies. of society, with an emphasis on human rights education; use new technologies to Celebrating the release from prison enhance research and campaigning, and of our colleagues in Azerbaijan, we access new potential sources of funding, reflected on the strength and impact of such as social enterprises. our joint campaign, and showed how cross-border solidarity, multiple methods On growing restrictions on access to and communication channels can help funding, we considered how international to protect and support human rights donors might adapt their granting methods. defenders.
HRHF Annual Report 2016 13 Impact 2016
Impact 3: Influence on the human rights agenda Advocating for the rights to freedom of assembly, association, expression, and to be a human rights defender
new Human Rights Council resolution on Challenge The global decline in freedoms continued foreign support to NGOs. Two national in 2016, affecting human rights defenders advocacy strategies were adopted by in all countries in which HRHF works. partners, developed with HRHF. HRHF saw human rights crises in more countries than we expected. The year The Belarusian Human Rights House and also saw attacks on the legitimacy of HRHF contributed to the renewal of the human rights mechanisms and efforts to mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on undermine the principles of universality Belarus. and indivisibility of human rights. HRHF was active in the organisation of an event aside the UN Security Council Impact Greater access to the international system in relation to the human rights situation makes national human rights defenders in Crimea. After launching the idea of a stronger and better protected at home. In specific General Assembly resolution on 2016, HRHF welcomed and supported the the human rights situation in Crimea, we first human rights high-level debate at the were disappointed by the outcome and the UN General Assembly, where we ensured weakness of the adopted text. With more the participation of Milan Antonijevic success at the European Parliament, HRHF (YUCOM, HRH Belgrade). HRHF raised contributed to the adoption of a principled the situation in Azerbaijan internationally, human rights position on Crimea. including at the review of the country at the UN Human Rights Committee and Following more than two years of events at the Council of Europe (CoE). advocacy by HRHF and the Human We also supported international Rights Houses’ ILIA programme, the mechanisms in their work on Azerbaijan, Special Rapporteur on lawyers and judges such as the visit of the Special Rapporteur put forward a report on standards aimed on human rights defenders and for at protecting lawyers working on human similar visits by the rapporteurs of the rights related issues and defending human Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE. rights defenders. We reached a larger audience in 2016 by expanding our distribution channels. HRHF was able to respond quickly to the deteriorating situation in Poland, identifying We focused on Belarus, Poland, and opportunities to raise awareness of the Azerbaijan, including the release of political situation in Poland internationally, and prisoners, and the human rights situation in developing an advocacy strategy with our Crimea. We focused thematically on human Polish partner, the Helsinki Foundation for rights defenders, and the adoption of a Human Rights.
14 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Impact 2016
Together we have impact
International3 campaigns Submissions22 and oral Policy179 makers reached interventions out to
Articles,163 videos and posts 34%Increase in Twitter 15%Increase in Facebook published followers followers
HRHF Annual Report 2016 15 Impact 2016
Political prisoners released in Azerbaijan Celebrating the campaign for their release
Human Rights House Baku opened Drawing on expertise in the ILIA in 2007. Four years later, in 2011, the programme, lawyers educated in authorities forced the House to cease international human rights standards activities. By 2015, they had imprisoned joined members of Human Rights House many of its members and adopted Tbilisi in monitoring and reporting on restrictive laws, as part of a crackdown on the trials of human rights defenders civil society. arrested in Azerbaijan. This contributed to the protection for the prisoners and HRHF and the Houses jointly the compilation of facts for advocacy and campaigned for their release for years awareness-raising purposes. – channelling all programmes toward a single cause. In spring 2016 we saw the Member organisation Helsinki impact as 17 political prisoners were Foundation for Human Rights (Poland), released, including Intigam Aliyev, Anar with support from HRHF and Freedom Mammadli, Rasul Jafarov, Arif and Leyla House, acted as the legal counsel for Yunus, and Khadija Ismayilova, who these defenders at the European Court of featured strongly in our efforts to raise Human Rights, and won several cases. awareness. The Human Rights Houses in Georgia, Campaigning with the Houses, coalitions, Ukraine, and the Belarusian Human and strong international partners, Rights House in exile in Lithuania HRHF helped to raise awareness of the provided shelter and assistance to those arrests, and organised and participated in fleeing the country, and with HRHF ran international protests. a programme to provide protection to human rights defenders under threat in HRHF drafted and submitted letters of Azerbaijan and the wider region. concern on Azerbaijan endorsed by the Houses – who then advocated at the In 2017, HRHF will continue to shed national level for their governments to light on the human rights situation in address the situation. This campaigning Azerbaijan, and campaign for the release was combined with intense advocacy at of those still behind bars. the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE and EU.
16 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Impact 2016
Solidarity demonstration in front of the Norwegian parliament in Oslo (2015)
Advocacy at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, in support of Azerbaijani political prisoners. Khadija Ismayilova (centre) was later arrested herself before being released (2014)
Rock band “U2” calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners HRHF Annual Report 2016 17 (2015) Copyright Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Impact 2016
Impact 4: Better protection Supporting human rights defenders and their organisations
countries where they are most at risk. Challenge Human rights defenders and civil society We were able to positively respond to provide the best defence against those all requests for protection, providing seeking to erode human rights, but rapid response, flexibility and good they are also often the primary targets coordination with other protection actors. for repressive actions by authoritarian governments. We continued to develop common standards and response procedures for They face verbal and physical attacks, protection in 2016. surveillance, threats, smear campaigns, and repressive policies aimed at silencing Through nominating human rights them and their organisations. defenders for awards, we raise their profile and ultimately help to protect them. In 2016, Elena Milashyna won Impact Against a backdrop of increasing threats the Fritt Ord and ZEIT-Stiftung Free to human rights defenders, the Houses Media Prize for Independent Journalism and HRHF supported more than 400 in Eastern Europe, after a successful human rights defenders, journalists, nomination co-sponsored by HRHF and and civil activists and their families in members of the Russian Houses.
Trial observer Irine Kasradze (left) from Human Rights House Tbilisi attends an appeal against the disbarment of Azerbaijani human rights lawyer Alaif Hasanov (back 2nd from right) in Baku.
18 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Impact 2016
Together we have impact
Houses3 operate the Nominations7 by HRHF Mobile17 group missions shelter programme with accepted for human rights and consultations carried HRHF awards out by the Houses
Individual 5cases alerted to Protection869 consultations Human53 rights defenders protection mechanisms by HRH Tbilisi and their families supported by HRHF
HRHF Annual Report 2016 19 Impact 2016
Protection of human rights lawyers Working to establish strong international standards
HRHF and partners in the Houses This was adopted by the UN General identified growing intimidation and Assembly in December 2015, and persecution of human rights lawyers in included protections for the legal Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and representatives of human rights began promoting the establishment of defenders. strong international standards for the protection of human rights lawyers and June 2016 their independence. HRHF and Human Rights House Belgrade hosted and organised Following two years of work from across consultations with the UN Special HRHF’s programmes and the Houses, Rapporteur on judges and lawyers, these standards and protections for Mónica Pinto, to enable HRHF and lawyers were established in 2016 at the partners to provide recommendations UN. to her mandate ahead of her upcoming report to the UN. September 2015 HRHF produced the report Human October 2016 Rights Lawyers at Risk in partnership The Special Rapporteur’s report with lawyers from the ILIA programme, presented to the UN General Assembly and launched the report at the OSCE in October advocated protections for Human Dimension Meeting in Warsaw. lawyers and gave clear recommendations, many of which were suggested to In advocacy, we continued to promote the Special Rapporteur during the the recommendations of the report at consultations in Belgrade. international forums, calling for lawyers to be included within the definition of HRHF will work with these strong human rights defenders. international standards, making them known and ensuring that they are We then advocated strongly for a UN implemented at the national level. resolution on human rights defenders.
20 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Impact 2016
The ILIA programme concluded the third cycle of its EHREL online education project with a moot court and conference at the Constitutional Court in Vilnius, hosted by the Belarusian House.
Lawyers and defenders from the Houses, ILIA programme and partners give input HRHF Annual Report 2016 21 to the UN Special Rapporteur on judges and lawyers, hosted by HRH Belgrade. Human Rights Houses
Common challenges
In Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, what the United Nations Special the Balkans, and Western Europe, Rapporteur Miklós Harastzi qualifies as where Human Rights Houses operate, an “authorisation- based system” with authoritarian States have learned from regulations that ban the use of public one another over the years. Spreading space, participation in the public debate, from Belarus to Azerbaijan, States and the possibility to organise and have adopted laws and practices that associate without authorisation. restrict the operation of civil society and independent media, and threaten the rule Authorisations to exercise human of law, and State leaders employ rhetoric rights favour non- governmental undermining the universality of human organisations organised by governments rights and spreading hate. and supportive of government policies, known as GONGOs, which In Russia, civil society continued to be have become widespread in many targeted with legislation that bans foreign countries, as authorities aim at replacing funding, constituting retaliation for their independent civil society with groups human rights work and signalling a lack loyal to those in power. GONGOs are of acceptance of the role and work of also eroding international mechanisms human rights defenders. as they compete with non-governmental organisations for participation at The “foreign agents” legislation became a international forums. model for many other States, and Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) In Ukraine, specifically Crimea, abuses partner the Russian Resource Centre for include a crackdown against civil society Human Rights has been targeted. and the media, hate speech and the This is a challenge for donors to clearing of the territory of “undesired adapt their granting schemes, and for people,” and severe limitations on organisations to find alternative ways Ukrainian and international access to to fund their work, such as through Crimea. It is a priority for HRHF and its crowdfunding, as undertaken by Human Ukrainian partners to place Crimea high Rights House Voronezh. on the international agenda.
In Azerbaijan, while the authorities In Armenia, in 2016, mass protests were released some of HRHF’s partners in met with police brutality and arbitrary 2016, they continue to criminalise other arrests, and constitutional amendments human rights defenders, on trumped- were passed amid allegations of election up charges. In Belarus, repression fraud. For civil society, and Human of civil society is systemic, through Rights House Yerevan, this was a major
22 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Human Rights Houses
Need united responses
challenge in terms of documenting and Significantly, we have also seen the reporting abuses. emergence of self-styled “illiberal democracies” in Europe in recent years, In more and more countries, verbal or which are in fact democracies turning ill, physical attacks, surveillance, threats, and presenting a threat to human rights and smear campaigns are increasing, especially to the rule of law. These voices oppose against those working on issues seen as the precedence of universal human sensitive, such as women human rights rights law over domestic law, and they are defenders, minority rights defenders, spreading – from Hungary to Poland, as defenders of the rights of LGBT people, well as in the Western Balkans. and human rights defenders working on corruption issues and elections. Inspired by Hungary and Poland, the While true domestically, in 2016 we also Croatian government pursued a campaign witnessed it internationally with a death to undermine independent civil society threat made by a Russian diplomat at the organisations, attacked independent Human Rights Council against HRHF’s media and media freedom, and created staff. obstacles to slow down the process of education reform. Civil society answered Although Armenia commits with solidarity and mobilisation of the internationally to the protection of wider population, ultimately leading to an human rights defenders, it domestically election and a new government. continues to ignore threats and attacks against those working on rights of In Poland, 2016 saw a previous beacon LGBT people and women human rights of human rights witness attacks on media defenders. freedom and the rule of law.
In Serbia, and the Balkans in general, hate To address this, we must include and speech is flourishing, and Human Rights empower the next generation of human House Belgrade saw such threats realised rights defenders and close the increasing with unidentified persons smashing the gap between the human rights community windows of the House in 2016. and the general population. Educational programmes in human rights, such as While civil society in Georgia was able those run by Human Rights House to operate relatively freely in 2016, with Chernihiv, are essential in this. Human Rights House Tbilisi active in assisting civil society from Azerbaijan, human rights defenders still suffered smear campaigns.
HRHF Annual Report 2016 23 Human Rights Houses
For hope in human rights
Right wing populism and anti-terror laws support and solidarity, collaboration, have also had an impact on human rights long-term commitment, visibility, and in Western Europe. London-based Index protection – were essential in this regard, on Censorship has taken a strong role in as were deep expertise and strength in mapping increasing violations of freedom advocacy, which enabled us to influence of expression and media freedom in the human rights agenda in the countries Europe, and identifying trends in these where we work and at the international violations. level. We are energised and inspired by the great initiatives and successes among These trends led to a much harsher the Houses. Through these initiatives, environment for civil society, yet, the the Houses continue to have a positive Human Rights Houses and HRHF impact on human rights, both nationally continue to play a strong role in and internationally, and to provide protecting, empowering, and supporting support to other human rights defenders human rights defenders. and organisations.
Hope for human rights The next section presents the focus Last year, 2016, was not just a year of a and aims of the individual Houses and global decline in freedoms. It was also a highlights the successes from which we year of significant innovation, growth, can draw inspiration. and ongoing activity by and among the Human Rights Houses and wider civil Through this, we aim to give a taster of society. the positive work of the Houses, and to amplify the impact of this work, involve The Human Rights Houses were able to others in these initiatives, trigger ideas, respond to many of the worrying regional and provide a platform to contact the and international trends in 2016: to adapt Houses or HRHF in order to benefit their working methods, and to mobilise from and contribute to these and future and launch initiatives to address and successes. influence the direction of these trends.
The principles of the Human Rights House concept – strong institutions,
24 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Human Rights Houses | Caucasus
Human Rights House Yerevan Established 2012 | 7 organisations | Yerevan, Armenia Accessible House, celebrating diversity
and the challenges of human Human Rights House rights protection in the context Yerevan completed the purchase of a joint premises for of 2016’s events. member organisations in 2016. Hosting a public discussion, The House is committed the House focused on the to be a safe, accessible and achievements of human rights common space for civil society defenders in Armenia, and the “In 2016, HRHY lost its organisations, movements, civic challenges and threats they founder Mika Danielyan. faced in 2016 – a challenging initiatives, activists and human We overcame the year for the human rights rights defenders, who are often difficulty of his loss by targeted for the work they do. community. our commitment to joint The House’s daily work is based The discussion was followed work, by responsibility, on the principles of proactivity by the screening of the care, and principles of of all members, the absence documentary “Listen to Me”, egalitarianism toward of privileges, the reduction of about the LGBT community each other.” vulnerability, and everyone’s in Armenia, created by PINK Armenia, a member of the equal protection. Anna Zhamakochyan House. This was part of a series Executive Director of speeches and discussions Socioscope Human Rights Day 2016 was an opportunity for the hosted by the House in 2016. House to address human rights CONTACT HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE YEREVAN
Tel +374 10 329032
Web humanrightshouse.org/ members/armenia
Email HRHY BANNER BOARD CHAIRPERSON [email protected]
LATE CHAIRPERSON Address MIKA DANIELYAN (1959 2016) 119/2 Hovsep Emin street, Yerevan 0012 Republic of Armenia
YEREVAN HOUSE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENT HRHF Annual Report 2016 25 Human Rights Houses | Caucasus
Human Rights House Azerbaijan Established 2007, 2013 | Baku and Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan Doors closed, but still active
when Malahat and Ilgar Forced to cease House Nasibov were forced to flee activities since 2011, Human Rights House the country in December 2014. Azerbaijan was first conceived Malahat Nasibova hopes to as an idea for establishment in return home one day to recreate 2003. a human rights community.
“One day we will be In 2007, the House was Continuing to work, the back to once again registered, and the physical member organisations from the Houses are active and continue create a home for human space officially opened in 2009. to work the best they can in rights and defenders in It grew into an important hub for human rights defenders, repressive conditions. Many Azerbaijan. journalists and activists. of the group were imprisoned I really believe in that.” Following an order by the in 2014-2015, but were later Azerbaijani Ministry of Justice released in 2016. Malahat Nasibova in March 2011, the House was Human Rights House Nakhchivan forced to cease its activities. Through international advocacy Partner organisations continue and submissions to international their activities mechanisms, we continue to have an impact on human Human Rights House rights in Azerbaijan, and to Nakhchivan opened in 2013. It at least hold the government was forced to cease its activities accountable.
WITH SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON JUDGES AND LAWYERS REUNITED IN OSLO
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SIDE EVENT VIA SKYPE MEETING EU SPECIAL REP. FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 26 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Human Rights Houses | Caucasus
Human Rights House Tbilisi Established 2010 | 6 organisations | Tbilisi, Georgia Protection for the region
25 people), and continued to As a regional hub for support another 28 beneficiaries civil society, Human Rights House Tbilisi provides legal and (12 families). psychological services, conducts advocacy, works to improve The House plays a significant legislation, offers human rights role in Mobile Groups which education, and works to develop provide emergency responses to civil society. mass violations of freedom of assembly, and sends observers “We will provide further to the trials of persecuted humanitarian and legal Providing protection, the House is able to respond human rights defenders. House support for Azerbaijani successfully and quickly to members have travelled to human rights defenders, human rights defenders when neighbouring countries such journalists, bloggers they are under threat in the as Azerbaijan and Armenia as or activists in exile in region, particularly from part of this, and the House has Georgia. This is the least Azerbaijan. In 2016, the House a project to publish the articles of Azerbaijani journalists. we can offer people continued to be a regional focal fleeing persecution.” point for protection, providing The House is also involved in 780 legal and 89 psychological network’s shelter programme for human rights defenders at Nikoloz Legashvili consultations to human rights House Chairperson defenders and activists. It risk. provided support to 15 new people and their families (total CONTACT HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE TBILISI
Tel (+995 32) 2 38 20 18
Web humanrightshouse.org/ members/georgia Email [email protected]
Address 11a Meliton Kantaria 0160 Tbilisi Georgia
AND HER RELEASE FROM PRISON
MOBILE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY OF KHADIJA ISMAYILOVA HRHF Annual Report 2016 27 Human Rights Houses | Eastern Europe
Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House Established 2006 | 10 organisations | Vilnius, Lithuania (in exile) A home for human rights
up as a safe meeting and Supporting the human rights movement in training space for Belarusian Belarus, the Barys Zvozskau organisations and initiatives. Belarusian Human Rights Today, it is an acknowledged House focuses on four strategic actor on human rights and areas: human rights advocacy; digital security expertise for protection of human rights Belarusian and international “The House is defenders and support to organisations. not only a safe place for victims of repressions; human The House hosts around 61 human rights defenders, rights education; and capacity- events for some 1,450 people but also a coordinator building and empowering human rights defenders and annually, providing conference and organiser of their organisations. The House rooms and facilities, a library common processes was registered in Lithuania, with computers and internet important to the human due to the impossibility of access, and accommodation rights community of registration in Belarus. for up to 25 people. The Belarus.” House is increasingly used by Celebrating its 10-year partners and colleagues from Azerbaijan and Russia, where Tatsiana Reviaka anniversary, the House has House President achieved a great deal and is the persecution of defenders essential to the entire human and activists is aggravated. rights community of Belarus. Initially, the House was set CONTACT BARYS ZVOZSKAU BELARUSIAN HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE
Tel +370 5 212 77 03
Web humanrightshouse.org/ members/belarus
Email [email protected]
Address Latako str. 3, 10 YEARS A HOME FOR LT-01125 Vilnius SUMMER SCHOOL HUMAN RIGHTS Lithuania
ILIA: CONCLUDING CONFERENCE AND MOOT COURT 28 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Human Rights Houses | Eastern Europe
Educational Human Rights House Chernihiv Established 2014 | 7 organisations | Chernihiv, Ukraine Human rights for youth
A centre for Ukrainian A school for youth, organisations, Educational held annually by the House, Human Rights House Chernihiv encourages young people to is a modern and comfortable become activists engaged in educational conference promoting and defending and resource centre with human rights and combating accommodation facilities. discrimination. It was founded by organisations “Human rights from different regions of In 2016, 21 participants from education often lacks Ukraine, and welcomes civil 15 cities across Ukraine and visible short term results, activists and organisations 25 experts took part in the All but we know that it is engaged in civil and human Ukrainian human rights school rights education. It operates for young activists. vital work along with the educational program “We It consisted of nine days of responding to the Understand Human Rights.” full-time study and ended with a demands of the situation In 2016, there were as many as 24-hour marathon development in Ukraine.” 48 educational events held at session for a human rights the House, including seminars, action against domestic Serhiy Burov workshops, training sessions, violence. Head of the Board strategy planning sessions, meetings, conferences, and exhibitions attended by 1,116 participants. CONTACT EDUCATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE CHERNIHIV
Tel +380 462 610 508
Web ehrh-ch.org.ua
Email [email protected]
Address Lugoviy lane 1-G Vil. Kolychivka Chernihiv region 15563 Ukraine
ACTION AGAINST EDUCATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHERNIHIV HRHF Annual Report 2016 29 Human Rights Houses | Eastern Europe
Russian Research Centre for Human Rights Established 1992 | 9 organisations | Moscow, Russian Federation Support in a harsh environment
Providing support, the Flash-mob style Russian Research Centre for demonstrations were held Human Rights (RRCHR) plays by RRCHR on 7 October a key role in giving strength 2016, in memory of Anna to its member organisations Politkovskaya, the journalist to continue their work, and and human rights activist killed focuses on strengthening 10 years ago at the entrance “Anna Politkovskaya civil society. Nowadays, the to her house. She investigated did much for the human activity of human rights critical materials about the rights movement in organisations is often under Russian power structure, and Russia; she did much threat. The members respond the situations in Chechnya for ordinary people and by cooperating, supporting and and the North Caucasus. The defending one another. demonstrations showed the for organisations. We will resolute desire of human rights always remember her The House projects help some activists for the killing to be and will try to follow her of the most vulnerable people, properly investigated, reminded example.” providing them with access to citizens of the responsibility of experts such as lawyers and the State to protect journalists Liubov Vinogradova psychiatrists. The House also and human rights activists, and Executive Director hosts various joint events, raised awareness of the still Independent Psychiatric Association of Russia seminars, conferences and relevant problems she focused training. on.
CONTACT RUSSIAN RESEARCH CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Tel +7 (495) 625 0667
Web humanrightshouse.org/ members/russian_federation
Email [email protected]
Address 101000 Luchnikov Lane Building 4, Doorway 3, Suite 2 Moscow Russia
ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA DEMONSTRATION INSIDE RRCHR 30 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Human Rights Houses | Eastern Europe
Human Rights House Voronezh Established 2012 | 13 organisations | Voronezh, Russian Federation Human rights and culture
events, including the first Enhancing awareness all-Russian photo-contest on of human rights, Human Rights House Voronezh human rights “Non-Casual targets the local community Witness,” and the Voronezh- through hosting and organising local “Acting Figures” award. large public events inside and Theatre was one of the outside of the city. Its regular most popular events during operations include providing the Gorod Prav festival in Voronezh. “This year we have human rights education for focused on promoting young people, work on public The play entitled “The Last oversight, and offering legal Party” was written based on human rights not only as aid to victims of human interviews with Russian human a struggle, but also as rights violations. In 2016 the rights defenders, by the former art, philosophy and as a House successfully raised Director of HRH-Voronezh, social value.” funds through two separate Anna Dobrovolskaya. crowdfunding campaigns. These events brought new Alyona Ob’ezdchikova audiences to the House and Deputy chairperson of the board The eight-day Gorod Prav led to partnerships with new festival (“City of Rights”), colleagues and friends. now in its third year, was hosted by the House in 2016. The festival was attended by 700 people across 32 different CONTACT HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE VORONEZH
Tel +7 (473) 254-55-29
Web hrdom.hrworld.ru
Email [email protected]
Address Tsyurupy, 34, Voronez Voronezhskaya oblast’ 394036 Russia
PRESENTS FOR CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN DONORS LECTURE ON LABOUR RIGHTS DURING GOROD PRAV FESTIVAL " THEATRE PLAY "THE LAST PARTY HRHF Annual Report 2016 31 Human Rights Houses | Eastern Europe
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights Established 1993 | Warsaw, Poland Rising to Poland’s challenges
A long-time actor in One of the most human rights protection, challenging years in Helsinki Foundation for HFHR’s history, 2016, saw Human Rights (HFHR) works the constitutional crisis in to develop a culture based on the country reach its peak. respect for human rights, in HFHR conducted strategic Poland and abroad, and is one litigation related to the crisis, “Despite challenges, of the oldest non-governmental and ensured that judgements of 2016 brought yet another organisations acting in the field the Constitutional Court were opportunity for the civil of human rights protection in published – a duty of public society to unite around Poland. officials that they were not fulfilling – through appealing the values of human HFHR’s main areas of activity the prosecution’s decision rights protection.” are: international and national not to investigate failures to education, strategic litigation, publish them. HFHR continued Danuta Przywara its work for civil society in President of HFHR’s board and providing legal assistance to Polish citizens, refugees, and former Soviet bloc countries. members of national minorities. Especially, it welcomed the the HFHR also carries out research European Court of Human and monitoring projects related Right’s decision confirming that to human rights protection. the rights of Azerbaijani human rights defenders Leyla and Arif Yunus were violated. CONTACT HELSINKI FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Tel (+48) 22 556 44 40
Web www.hfhr.pl
Email [email protected]
Address Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights Zgoda 11 Street 00-018 Warsaw Poland SUPPORT FOR KHADIJA ISMAYILOVA PRISONS WITH NO FENCE LAWYERS HELP MIGRANTS AT CONFERENCE, WARSAW 2016 BORDER GUARD STATION 32 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Human Rights Houses | Balkans
Human Rights House Belgrade Established 2012 | 5 organisations | Belgrade, Serbia Growing hub for human rights
number of citizens it supports. Supporting civil society, Human Rights House Belgrade Its premises, including the has a focus on economic and big hall and library, were social rights, discrimination, used by other human rights hate crime, minority issues, and organisations free of charge, access to justice, and it supports and for more than 500 human rights defenders, events, including conferences, providing free legal aid in the exhibitions, trainings, movie “Human Rights House first instance. It is also a leader presentations, round-tables, Belgrade is seen both in Serbia’s EU negotiation and talks. It was also used by member Belgrade Center for as a resource center process, coordinating with the and as a center for National Convention on the EU Human Rights to hold schools – the platform for discussion for human rights, and by support to those in on Serbian accession – as a member YUCOM for its trial need.” genuine civil society movement monitoring school. Students for reforms and further EU and young scholars from Milan Antonijevic Director, YUCOM integration. different areas of expertise used the House’s database, had Growing as a hub for internships at the House, and human rights, the House benefited from the access to added and redecorated a large experts. The House hosted the hall for conferences and events Network Assembly of Human in 2016, and increased the Rights Houses in 2016. CONTACT HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE BELGRADE
Tel +381 11 3284188
Web en.kucaljudskihprava.rs
Email [email protected]
Address 4 Kneza Milosa Street 11000 Belgrade ASSEMBLY OF Serbia HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSES
EVENTS IN THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR REFURBISHED LARGE HALL CONSULTATIONS HRHF Annual Report 2016 33 Human Rights Houses | Balkans
Human Rights House Zagreb Established 2008 | 8 organisations | Zagreb, Croatia Keeping rights on the agenda
policy, especially now that A centre for expertise Croatia is a member of the UN on human rights, Human Rights House Zagreb is Human Rights Council. recognised as a central organisation for the protection Putting rights back on the and romotion of human rights political agenda, the House and fundamental freedoms. co-organised a pre-election “The Orešković The House aims for a free, debate in September 2016, as Government attacked open, pluralistic, democratic, part of civil society coalition Platform 112. Representatives press freedoms and equitable and inclusive society based on respect, protection of the major political parties media independence, discussed the issues of initiated a crackdown on and promotion of the highest standards and norms of human protection of human rights, civil society, and infringed rights and freedoms. combating discrimination and on the right to freedom of violence, and protection of association… We wanted The House is involved in socio-economic rights through to put these issues back research, monitoring, public protection of public and natural goods, solidarity, and social on the political agenda.” advocacy, and education. It acts as a knowledge centre and justice. The House further played its part in addressing Ivan Novosel watchdog on human rights. The Director of Programs House advocates strongly for illiberal trends in the country HRH Zagreb human rights to be one of the in 2016 through solidarity and main pillars of Croatian foreign mobilisation. CONTACT HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE ZAGREB
Tel +385 1 551 3395
Web www.kucaljudskihprava.hr
Email [email protected]
Address CALLS FOR Kuca ljudskih prava Zagreb / TRANSPARENCY Human Rights House Zagreb Selska cesta 112c, HR-10000 Zagreb, Hrvatska / Croatia
WHISTLEBLOWER MURAL FREE EXPRESSION ACTION 34 HRHF Annual Report 2016 FREE EXPRESSION ACTION ON THE HOUSE IN ZAGREB Human Rights Houses | Western Europe
Human Rights House London Established 2004 | 3 organisations | London, United Kingdom Media freedom and free expression
Index on Censorship raises ARTICLE 19 envisages a world awareness about threats to free where people are free to speak expression and the value of their opinions, to participate in free speech, publishes work by decision-making and to make censored writers and artists, and informed choices about their life. works to ensure that people For this to be possible, people are free to express themselves everywhere must be able to without fear of harm or exercise their rights to freedom “The data the platform persecution – no matter what of expression and information. has collected over the their views. last two years confirms Mapping Media Freedom that the state of press is the founding identifies threats, violations and English PEN freedom across Europe centre of a worldwide writers’ limitations faced by members of association with 145 centres the press (1,387 in 2016). It is a is deplorable… We hope in more than 100 countries. joint undertaking between Index that institutions and It defends writers and readers and the European Federation leaders take note of this whose human right to freedom of Journalists. Major themes information and take of expression is at risk, and reported by Index include action swiftly.” works to remove inequalities that dangers when reporting on prevent people’s enjoyment and protests and demonstrations, Hannah Machlin learning from literature. and impunity, with attacks Project Manager on journalists not properly for Mapping Media Freedom, investigated. Index on Censorship HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE LONDON
Index on Censorship www.indexoncensorship.org
English PEN www.englishpen.org
Article 19 www.article19.org
CAPTION
MAPPING FREEDOM MEDIA HRHF Annual Report 2016 35 Human Rights Houses | Western Europe
Rafto Foundation Established 1986 | Bergen, Norway Awarding support and recognition
Raising recognition for To celebrate 30 years human rights defenders, of the award, 18 laureates Rafto awards the annual and 1,500 people gathered for Professor Thorolf Rafto’s Prize the anniversary ceremony in for Human Rights work. This November 2016. helps to bring the names of human rights defenders to an Rafto Laureate Rebiya Kadeer, “When we hand out international audience, and to speaking in November, said: an award, we commit promote human rights globally. “These awards are a warning to to working with our these countries that the world is Laureates for a long time, Rafto continues to support watching what they are doing, the work of Laureates through they are protected, someone is and that’s why having all funding and organisation of watching over me. They give of them here in one place projects, and carries out other hope to the people that they will is inspiring.” work such as human rights be free someday.” education, with 5,000 people Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt participating in 2016. Director of Rafto Of the 30 human rights defenders that have received the award, three have later received the Nobel Peace Prize.
CONTACT RAFTO FOUNDATION
Tel +47 55 21 09 30
Web www.rafto.no
Email [email protected]
Address Menneskerettighetenes plass 1 5007 Bergen Norway
YANAR MOHAMMED LAUREATE 2016 PHOTO BY 36 HRHF Annual Report 2016 30 YEARS! JOHANNES LOVUND Human Rights Houses | Western Europe
Human Rights House Oslo Established 1989 | 6 organisations | Oslo, Norway Human Rights, Human Wrongs
festival has become a hub for Working on diverse broad discussions on human human rights, across many countries, the member rights, in which film makers, orgaisations of Human Rights activists, politicians, journalists House Oslo work together and academics debate human as part of a human rights rights issues with an engaged community, which helps to audience, such as rights to a safe improve cooperation, share and dignified life, freedom of “The festival is a huge knowledge and expertise, and speech, and political and civil success and highly reduce operating costs. Many equality. relevant, and a reminder of the member organisations In 2016, the festival included that human rights is have a focus outside of Norway. a continuous battle, HRHF is headquartered at the 25 documentaries and 30 live House in Oslo. events, and 24 international even within established and almost 70 local special democracies.” The Documentary Film guests. Members of the House Festival, “Human Rights supported four of the films, and Audun Aagre Human Wrongs” was started five of the debates. House coordinator in 2008 by the House in collaboration with Oslo Documentary Cinema, to promote documentaries about human rights issues. The film CONTACT HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE OSLO
Tel +47 468 48 850
Web www.humanrightshouse.org/ members/norway
CAPTION Email [email protected]
Address AFRICA.NO Kirkegata 5, 5th Floor 0153 Oslo Norway
FILM FESTIVAL 2016 HUMAN RIGHTS OSLO HUMAN WRONGS HRHF Annual Report 2016 37 Financial overview 2016
Financial overview For fiscal year ending 31 December 2016
In 2016, Human Rights House Foundation’s (HRHF’s) expenses totalled 21 567 054 NOK (2 321 559 EUR based on average 2016 exchange rate of 1EUR=9,2899 NOK). HRHF ended the year with a 68 933 NOK (7 420 EUR) surplus.
The financial data has been summarised from the annual accounts of HRHF. A complete copy of the annual accounts and the independent audit report are available on the website www.humanrightshouse.org and can be sent upon request.
Expenses per program Total: 21 567 054 NOK / 2 321 559 EUR
Network and Capacity building institution building and knowledge sharing
Advocacy and Sustainability awareness raising and protection
With Gratitude to our Donors We would like to thank all donors and supporters of the Human Rights Houses and their members. HRHF offers our sincere thanks for the generous contributions we receive. Our work to protect, empower and support human rights defenders and their organisations would not be possible without it.
Thanks for in kind support from Wikborg Rein, HP and DLA Piper.
38 HRHF Annual Report 2016 The Organisation
Governing bodies
HRHF Board The Board of the Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) monitors the programmes and operations of HRHF.
Cecilie Schjatvet Karin Dokken Chairperson Associate Professor of Political Science, Attorney, University of Oslo Law Firm Cecilie Schjatvet
Bernt Hagtvet Mohamed Husein Gaas Professor of Political Science, PHD Fellow in Development Studies, University of Oslo Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Gunhild Ørstavik Christopher Hansteen Advisor, Partner, FOKUS- Forum for Women and Grette law firm Development
International Advisory Board The International Advisory Board of the network of Human Rights Houses consists members from the Human Rights Houses. The International Advisory Board advises the network’s strategic development.
Cecilie Schjatvet Sean Gallagher Attorney, Head of Content, Law Firm Cecilie Schjatvet Index on Censorship Human Rights House Foundation
Sanja Sarnavka Liubov Vinogradova Member of Program Council, Executive Director, Human Rights House Zagreb Independent Psychiatric Association of Russia
HRHF Annual Report 2016 39 The Organisation The Organisation
Organisational overview 2017 14 50/50 8 13 4 Permanent Gender Nationalities Languages Offices staff balance Maria Dahle Director [email protected]
Advocacy Team Administration Team Institutional Development Team Communication Team
Florian Irminger Daiva Petkeviciute Rupert Abbott Kaja Haldorsen Head of Advocacy Administration and Fundraising Manager, Institutional Development Communication Manager [email protected] Manager [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Matthew Jones Thomas Engebretsen Kety Abashidze Craig Jackson International Advocacy Officer Financial Accountant Human Rights Officer for Eastern Communication Officer [email protected] [email protected] Europe [email protected] [email protected]
Andhina Kusumawidjaja Iryna Pavlovska Liudmila Ulyashyna Christian Parker Administrative Officer Project Controller Advisor in International Law in Communication Officer [email protected] [email protected] Advocacy (Part time) [email protected] [email protected]
Alexander Sjödin (Maternity leave 2017) European Advocacy Officer [email protected] Ane Tusvik Bonde Regional Manager, Eastern Europe and Caucasus [email protected]
Anna Innocenti Margrete Rian Léa Meindre-Chautrand International Advocacy Officer Financial Accountant International Advocacy Fellow Thanks to our former colleagues! (2013-2016) (2014-2017) (2016-2017)
40 HRHF Annual Report 2016 HRHF Annual Report 2016 41 Meeting the challenges ahead
Meeting the challenges ahead
Human Rights House Foundation Cooperation (HRHF) has now entered the final two By encouraging and supporting years of a five-year strategy, aimed cooperation with and among Houses, at increasing our impact, profile, and HRHF is strengthening networking cooperation, and continuing to protect, opportunities for the Houses to discuss empower, and support human rights challenges, find solutions, share best defenders and their organisations. practices and support one another and other defenders under pressure. We will HRHF will continue to work toward four support this by offering small grants for main objectives – stronger governance, cooperative projects and activities, and increased cooperation, greater influence by developing a database of expertise and visibility, and better protection – to make the most of the experience and while strengthening its approach and skills within the Houses and among our working methods to adapt to the more partners. repressive environment that the Human Rights Houses and HRHF face. The network’s International Law in Advocacy (ILIA) programme, with Development and governance ten years’ experience in human rights We are assessing the feasibility of new education, will be launched after a Houses – for Azerbaijan, Crimea, and transformation that has secured the most Moldova – and developing strategies to efficient use of the valuable expertise look into new regions. and resources. We will continue our cooperation with partner organisations, In governance, we will continue to on advocacy, in protection, and in other support the Houses in strategic planning areas. and team-building processes, and will continue to explore ways to further Greater influence and visibility strengthen their sustainability. An external Through greater emphasis on evaluation of the Human Rights House communication, we are increasing concept and our advocacy work planned our visibility. This emphasis includes for the second half of 2017 will be an developing a new website and new important tool for us in the planning communication tools and channels, and of our next strategies. Only by staying improving our visual content. dynamic, effective and sustainable will HRHF and the Human Rights Houses be HRHF will seek to counter the global able to best meet the challenges ahead. decline in freedoms, threats to the universality of human rights, and increased curtailment of the rights
42 HRHF Annual Report 2016 Meeting the challenges ahead
to freedom of expression, assembly, the findings of independent international association, and the right to be a human mechanisms, such as the United Nations rights defender. To counter this narrative, Human Rights Committee. HRHF will HRHF will work on underlining the work with released partners in Azerbaijan great contribution of human rights to establish a strong advocacy strategy to defenders to society, including through a hold those responsible for the crackdown new United Nations General Assembly in the country accountable through resolution. It will also strongly engage raising international attention. with the new Special Rapporteur on freedom of association and assembly, set To strengthen our collective ability to to replace Maina Kiai in 2017. counter the threatening narrative against human rights defenders throughout the A key theme of work will be restrictions region we work in, HRHF will launch a on foreign funding for civil society, working group with all Human Rights addressed through our report on how Houses and HRHF partners. to continue to provide and access international funding in such conditions. Protection We will also focus on civil society work in Amid the worsening situation for human countries led by self-proclaimed “illiberal rights defenders, it is essential to provide democrats,” thanks to cooperation with shelter and legal, medical, and material the Helsinki Foundation for Human support to those at risk, particularly in Rights in Poland, Human Rights Houses Azerbaijan, Belarus and Russia, where Belgrade and Zagreb, and Hungarian they are most frequently persecuted. human rights NGOs. Mobile groups will continue to be an We will also continue to build support important part of our protection work. for the renewal of the UN Special These provide emergency responses to Rapporteur mandate on Belarus and for mass violations of freedom of assembly, high attention of the European Union and trial observation of persecuted to the situation in Belarus, albeit with human rights defenders. We will also its willingness to increase proximity continue to support human rights with Lukashenko’s government. The defenders nominating them for human human rights situation in Crimea will rights awards, and in doing so raising their remain a key focus, as will the continued visibility and protection. deterioration in Poland, which requires a strong European Union reaction based on
HRHF Annual Report 2016 43 “The Network of Human Rights Houses is critical. It is a vehicle for international solidarity, linking activists and empowering them to fight back.”
Maina Kiai Former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
HRHF Oslo office Kirkegata 5 0153 Oslo humanrightshouse.org Norway [email protected] @HRHFoundation
HRHF Geneva office /humanrightshousenetwork/ Rue de Varembé 1, 5th floor PO Box 35, 1211 Geneva 20 /humanrightshousenetwork/ Switzerland [email protected]