Middelburg

Nestled in the Zeeland region of the Netherlands, the beautiful and quaint city of Middelburg is the second city in the world to join Shelter City. Since 2014, Middelburg has offered a safe and warm space to human rights defenders at risk from around the world. It is coordinated by the municipality of Middelburg together with Roosevelt College.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

The quiet and relaxing city of Middelburg provides human rights defenders at risk with a safe and welcoming environment where they can take time for themselves, rest and re-energize. Here, they can take their mind off of their work, while focusing on themselves.

Tailormade support

During their stay, defenders can access tailored support such as language courses, medical care, and recreational activities. They can also attend courses at the local Roosevelt College.

Engage with local allies

The welcoming community of people and students in Middelburg provides defenders with many opportunities to build and strengthen their solidarity networks. Shelter City Middelburg also organizes events and lectures with defenders, together with local organizations, the municipality, and educational institutions.

Our stories

Juvie, using documentation as a tool against injustice
Juvie, a human rights defender from the Philippines, shares her journey of over a decade in grassroot activism and documenting human rights violations against indigenous communities. Despite facing danger and emotional exhaustion, her work strives for accountability and justice. She continues to be passionate and believes that “one day [change] will happen, and more people will care about human rights”.
Shelter City Maastricht
Iván, reflecting on his journey as a human rights defender
Iván, former diplomat and Shelter City Amsterdam guest, shares his personal journey of becoming a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Iván, reflexionando sobre su trayectoria como defensor de los derechos humanos
Iván, antiguo diplomático y huésped de Shelter City Amsterdam, comparte su trayectoria personal como defensor de los derechos humanos.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Kiruba, fighting caste cruelties in India
Read Kiruba's story of challenging caste-based atrocities and discrimination in India.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Arsène, adding drops of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Arsène shares his story as a human rights defender and lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shelter City The Hague
Clasien, part of a global movement of human rights defenders
Clasien shares with us her experience coordinating Shelter City Tilburg and what it means to her to work with human rights defenders.
Shelter City Tilburg
Clasien, deel van een wereldwijde beweging van mensenrechten verdedigers
Clasien deelt met ons haar ervaring met het coördineren van Shelter City Tilburg en wat het voor haar betekent om met mensenrechtenverdedigers te werken.
Shelter City Tilburg
Olga, resilient in her journey for justice
During her three-month stay in The Hague, Olga penned a story to share her personal journey as a human rights defender in Venezuela.
Shelter City The Hague

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