"The war continues"

Human rights defenders… Who are they – activists, politicians, influencers or just ordinary people, who cannot stand still while others are being silenced, marginalized and humiliated? For many people the term “human rights defender” has a very blurry and unclear meaning, that is why the awareness about their actions and work is undeservedly poor among society, even in the most developed countries in the world. We know that something is actually going on behind the doors put by propaganda, stigma and governmental policy, but we do not know what exactly and what should we, as concerned and caring citizens, do about it.

The official opening ceremony of the Shelter City photo exhibition that took place on May 8th in City Hall of Zwolle tried to clarify the situation with human rights organizations in the Netherlands and in other countries for the audience and answer some questions that could pop up in your mind.

The main guests who attended the opening ceremony were Judith Ndukwu, a Nigerian activist, who took part in the Shelter City programme, and the photographer Daniella van Bergen, whose pictures were presented at the exhibition organized by Team Unicycle in collaboration with Justice & Peace and Municipality of Zwolle. During her emotional and very intimate speech, Judith Ndukwu, a lesbian Nigerian woman, who came from the Christian and patriarchal background, shared her personal story of self-acceptance, working as a volunteer in nonprofit organizations and being an activist, fighting for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.

“Before coming to the Netherlands, I was in an attack and I still have no idea who it was… After this attack my friends advised me to apply for the “Shelter City” programme here in the Netherlands, so I did it and got the help and support I really needed at that time”, – told Judith. “At least now I am able to talk, but the war continues”, – she added. The organization she came to provides help through temporary relocation and resilience trainings to human rights defenders, who seek for a safe place to stay, who are being stalked, rejected and discriminated. 11 Shelter cities in the Netherlands function like a network for almost 100 activists from 44 countries, who are in the same difficult situation as Judith. The organization gives them voice that they can use to raise awareness about human rights issues and promote or protect human rights non-violently.

She ended up her speech with an incredibly enlightening and important message: “We all as individuals are human rights defenders. And it is up to us to contribute to make a change that we are looking for. What we need to do is speak up. No matter what”.