Justice & Peace Netherlands

Last week, we met with Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT-IK) to discuss their vital work advancing, protecting, and promoting human rights in Iraqi Kurdistan. Their grassroots work is remarkable: documenting human rights violations, providing nonviolent conflict resolution expertise, supporting displaced families, working alongside journalists under threat, and advocating for farmers whose livelihoods are impacted by military violence. Despite being a small team, their trusted collaboration with local communities significantly contributes where it matters most. We want to warmly congratulate them as their immense impact has been recognized internationally with the Human Rights Tulip Award 2024, presented by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 12 December. At Justice & Peace, we share the belief in the power of grassroots actions for change. Change begins with local changemakers who, like CPT-IK, make a difference in their communities and set off a chain of positive reactions that can touch countless more worldwide. #HumanRightsTulip #CPTIK #HumanRights #Peacebuilding #JusticeAndPeace #humanrightstulipaward2024 #localactions #globalchange #globalimpact #humanrightsdefenders #sidebyside #sheltercity

As part of the MDT Move 4 Human Rights, Justice & Peace Netherlands led a seven-week trajectory with students from NHL Stenden to support the expansion of the Samen Hier initiative. This inspiring journey focused on fostering mutual support and integration between local communities and newcomers with refugee backgrounds. Throughout the trajectory, the students tackled key challenges: ✔️ How to build equitable relationships between newcomers and participants ✔️ How to engage local stakeholders ✔️ How to inspire new participants The collaboration culminated in an exciting day at Justice & Peace in The Hague, where the students presented their fresh ideas and innovative solutions. Their energy and creativity were truly inspiring and reflected the potential of working together to create inclusive communities. 💡 Together, we are building a more welcoming and connected society!

As 2024 is coming to a close, we look back with pride and gratitude. In this newsletter, we are sharing with you the stories of Arsène, June, and Kiruba and a message about polarization. May their stories fill you with hope and inspiration to join our movement for just, sustainable and welcoming societies. After all, we are all changemakers! 

"Where, after all, do human rights begin? In small places, close to home," said Eleanor Roosevelt in 1948. And that statement still rings true in 2024. Human rights only become a reality when people can exercise them in their daily lives. On this year's International Human Rights Day, we extend a different call: a call for self-reflection and empathy. How can we navigate a growing polarization? How can we shape the reality of human rights together? Together with us, take a moment today, to reflect on the importance of human rights and how you, as an individual, can promote human rights on a local level. Find our message via: https://lnkd.in/dcZm4fXG #humanrightsstatement #internationalhumanrightsday #polarization #localchange #localinitiatives #changemakers #empoweringchangemaker #weareallchangemakers #humanrightscall #selfreflection #empathy #humanrights

Morgen is het #HumanRightsDay! ✊ De Dag van de Mensenrechten wordt elk jaar gevierd op 10 december, omdat op die dag in 1948 de Universele Verklaring van de Rechten van de Mens werd aangenomen door de Algemene Vergadering van de Verenigde Naties. In het kader van de ‘Dag van de Mensenrechten’ worden er allerlei activiteiten georganiseerd. Wij hebben ze voor je op een rijtje gezet! 🇺🇦 09 december | De onwettige uitzetting en overbrenging van kinderen uit Oekraïne naar Rusland aanpakken: wegen naar verantwoording | 📍 T.M.C. Asser Instituut onderzoekt in dit evenement de beperkingen en mogelijkheden van internationale justitiële mechanismen 🕊️ 10 december | Rechten van kinderen onder vuur: het recht op onderwijs tijdens en na oorlogen | 📍Universiteit Leiden organiseert een panel rond hoe Internationaal recht kinderen beschermt en over de rol van onderwijs bij de wederopbouw van samenlevingen 🎬 10 december | Just Peace Movie Night For Sama | 📍 The Hague Humanity Hub organiseert i.s.m. KUNO platform een Just Peace filmavond met de veelbekroonde film For Sama (Action For Sama) 🎶 11 december | Javan The Poet | 📍 The Social Hub The Hague host een uniek concert met Javan The Poet i.s.m. Musicon en Justice & Peace Netherlands 🚫 11 december | Het verbod op foltering in de Europese mensenrechtenwetgeving: ervaringen uit de praktijk en reflecties van de rechter | 📍 Universiteit Leiden organiseert een gastcollege ter gelegenheid van de Dag van de Mensenrechten ✍🏼 9 - 15 december | Write for Rights | 📍 Amnesty International NL organiseert rond de Dag van Mensenrechten door het hele land schrijfavonden om brieven te schrijven aan autoriteiten Vind alle activiteiten in onze #agenda via: https://lnkd.in/gYn27V-3 #Mensenrechten #DagvandeMensenrechten #Activiteiten #Activities #Lezingen #Lectures

Are you passionate about human rights and want to contribute to building welcoming communities for refugees in Utrecht? Join us and Utrecht Youth Network for an evening of connection, games, and warm conversations over delicious soup and drinks. We will present our exciting upcoming projects in Utrecht, and our human rights work to facilitate the inclusion and welcoming of refugees with our Samen Hier and Move 4 Human Rights initiatives. 📅 When? Wednesday, 11 December @ 18:00 PM 📍 Where? Buurtcentrum ROSA, Malakkastraat 6, Utrecht Ready to join? Email [email protected] for more details or just show up - we are looking forward to seeing you there! #SamenHier #Move4HumanRights #InclusiveCommunity #Students #Newcomers #UtrechtYouth #HumanRights #Migration #Justice&Peace

Persons with disabilities comprise 16% of the worldwide population.  Like each year, today emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the rights of individuals with disabilities and promoting their equal, effective, and complete participation at all levels of society. In observing this day and this year's theme, Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future, we want to highlight the story of Sylvain. Sylvain OBEDI K is a disability rights defender, former Shelter City guest, and prominent figure in raising awareness about the social, economic, political, and cultural inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The efforts of his organization, Enable the Disable Action_EDA_DPO, resulted in the monumental accomplishment of establishing the first law protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the DRC. Sylvain reminds us that laws are just the beginning; true change comes with policies, programmes, and attitudes that uphold everyone. Find his story at: https://lnkd.in/dSmSTMFq #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities #Changemaker #DisabilityRights #InclusionMatters #ShelterCity #HumanRightsDefender #EnabletheDisableAction #DisabilityDRC #changemakerstories #DemocraticRepublicofCongoRights #Empoweringchangemakers #weareallchangemakers

Join us: Conversation with Peruvian LGBTIQ+ Rights Defender Miluska WO=MEN, in partnership with Justice & Peace Netherlands, invites you to join us for a meeting with Miluska, an advocate for LGBTIQ+ and women's rights and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. Miluska will share her experiences working with the LGBTIQ+ community, and present the CeDoSTALC report on human rights violations, particularly those affecting the transgender community in Latin America and the Caribbean. 📅 When: 4 December 2024, 14:00-15:30  📍 Where: WO=MEN office, Korte Poten 9B, The Hague  🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/e_AfEaP6 Miluska is the founder of Peru’s first trans shelter, Zuleymi Trans House, and a leader in defending trans rights through legal, economic, and social support. In the Netherlands she is staying with Shelter City (https://lnkd.in/eHt9CH7Q), a global movement that creates safe and inspiring spaces for human rights defenders at risk. In Peru, while there are no legal barriers on self-organizing LGBTIQ+ communities it remains an unsafe and challenging environment. There are many barriers to same-sex marriage and adoption, legal recognition of gender identity and lack of guarantees for equal access to education, housing, health, and work. In addition, LGBTIQ+ people continue to experience violence, discrimination, and hatred as result of stereotypes, prejudice and stigma surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.

In September, we welcomed 11 human rights defenders from 10 countries to our Shelter City initiative in the Netherlands working on issues ranging from civil and political rights and LGBTIQ+ rights to climate activism and freedom of expression. Since their arrival, they have participated in training weeks where they: ✔️ Explored artistic storytelling techniques to share their experiences and activism;  ✔️ Focused on self-care and well-being; and  ✔️ Strengthened their digital and physical security skills. As we reflect on the incredible work the human rights defenders have accomplished, we thank the participants and all our partners for contributing towards creating an environment for growth, exchange, and collaboration, tailored to each defender’s unique needs and ambitions. Learn more about Shelter City's work in supporting human rights defenders at risk: https://sheltercity.org/

“They wanted to bury her, but they did not know she was a seed."⁠ ⁠ Our Mural of Change is more than art—it is a tribute to those who have led powerful human rights movements. Among those changemakers was Berta Cáceres, an indigenous and environmental defender who dedicated her life to protecting the rights and lands of the Lenca people in Honduras.⁠ ⁠ Her life was unjustly ended, but her legacy lives on, paving the way for others to stand up against injustice. It is a shared struggle, one that we must face together.⁠ ⁠ ✊🏽 Honouring Berta’s endurance and strength, we call for collective action towards a more just and sustainable world. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-rVu2Xz *The Mural of Change was created by graffiti artists Karski & Beyond and Justice & Peace in collaboration with Haagse Hogeschool students. #MuralOfChange #JusticeAndPeace #BertaCaceres #EnvironmentalJustice #HumanRights #CollectiveAction #Weareallchangemakers #environmentalrights #indigenousrights #indigenousprotection #indigenouscommunities