On Monday, 8 December 2025, Shelter City Utrecht celebrated its tenth anniversary at the Utrecht City Hall. It was a special event during which, together with volunteers, board members, guests, and other stakeholders, ten years of support to human rights defenders were commemorated.

From 6:00 p.m., guests were welcomed at Utrecht City Hall. Snacks and drinks were available in the hall, creating a warm and convivial start to the evening.

Between 25 and 28 November, we had the pleasure of hosting Norma and Carmelita from Guatemala, who were traveling through Europe on an advocacy tour.

On Friday the 28th of November, the opening of the “Portraits of Courage” photo-exhibition took place at the Stadskantoor in Utrecht. The people featured in the portraits on the walls of the city office are brave individuals who fight for freedom, equality and human rights. They are human rights defenders who have been part of the Shelter City Utrecht project over the past ten years. This exhibition forms part of the ten-year anniversary celebration of the project.

The annual insight day of Peace Brigades International (PBI) took place on the 8th of November. An event dedicated to the explanation of the values, principles and actions of PBI, with the human rights defenders and volunteers in mind. The event was organised by PBI-volunteers, with the help of several speakers. Three of the volunteers that helped organise the event are Khadija, Kika and Suzanne. They co-organised this event as part of their civic service (maatschappelijke diensttijd) through the Nationale Jeugdraad (NJR). 

Human rights abuses linked to Canadian Oil Companies

Marlinde Weener, a former volunteer with PBI Colombia, recently shared reflections in a post (

Sunday the 21st of September marked the International day of Peace, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. Twenty years later – in 2001 – this same General Assembly designated the day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire. On this day, PBI took a moment to reflect on what peace means for human rights defenders and volunteers. 

Peace Brigades International is deeply concerned by the excessive and unlawful use of force by security forces during recent demonstrations in Nepal. At least 27 people – including youth – have lost their lives, and hundreds have been injured. The use of lethal force not only violates international law but also undermines the fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and protest.

Afgelopen maand ging onze Shelter City gast Malala op bezoek bij de Nederlandse Jeugd Raad (NJR) in Utrecht waar zij een presentatie gaf aan leden van de werkgroep VN Jongeren. Daarnaast stond de avond in het teken van de foto expositie met de portretten van voormalige gasten van Shelter City Utrecht.

Op het kantoor van de NJR in Utrecht zijn wij hartelijk ontvangen door de NJR. Na een korte introductie over PBI Nederland en Shelter City nam Malala het woord en vertelde over haar werk als mensenrechtenverdediger in Kenia en de uitdagingen die zij daarbij tegenkomt.