FORTHCOMING: Worlds Meet by the Waal: 10 Years Shelter City Nijmegen

It is often in difficult circumstances that human rights defenders persist in their work for fundamental freedoms and human rights. Giving them a chance to take a break from their intensive work in a safe environment has been the mission of Shelter City Nijmegen since 2015. Twice a year for a period of three months, a human rights defender is welcomed to the city by the river Waal. They have come from all continents.

 Shelter City Nijmegen aims to support their efforts and hopes that, when they return to their own countries, they have had some rest and have expanded their networks. Furthermore, residents of Nijmegen are inspired by their interactions with these human rights defenders from across the world. Brand new connections are forged, ensuring that this local initiative has a global impact.

 This edited volume presents interviews with human rights defenders who came to Nijmegen for three months in the past decade, as well as essays and reflections by community members who have, in a variety of ways, facilitated these visits. Directly involved policymakers have contributed to the book as well. It further features several contributions from Radboud University scholars, providing analyses on the relevant human rights themes - freedoms of expression, assembly, association, right to life, right to truth, freedom from torture, disappearances and discrimination, rights of indigenous peoples, environmental rights, rights of nature - as well as country chapters.