Strengthening Civil Society Voices at the Council of Europe

In September 2025, eighteen human rights defenders from ten countries visited Strasbourg as part of the Advocacy Training Programme, organised by Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) and co-funded by the Council of Europe (CoE) and the governments of Norway and Switzerland.

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) establishes and supports Human Rights Houses – coalitions of local independent civil society organisations working to advance human rights at home and abroad.

Today 80+ CSOs are united in the Network of Human Rights Houses, active across Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus.

Together, we advocate for freedoms that underpin a strong and independent civil society and protect and empower human rights defenders.

Who we are

What we do

Human rights houses

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Interviews

November 10, 2025

Serbia: “The government’s ‘expecting violence’ rhetoric is a clear warning sign… that they’re preparing to create it.”

In November, Serbia marks one year since the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse, and the subsequent student protests sparked by it. Today, despite growing international attention, concerns over the country’s human rights situation are deepening, and civil society warns about escalating repression as the government responds to dissent. Human Rights House Foundation spoke with Jovana Spremo, Advocacy Director at the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), about this situation and more.

Interviews

November 3, 2025

“Defending human rights in Russia is a lonely, exhausting, and often dangerous path. But some of us are still here—because someone has to be.”

Opinion

October 9, 2025

Anar Mammadli condemns his trial as “political show staged by repressive ruling regime in Azerbaijan.”

We stand for

Human rights defenders

Human rights defenders work to improve societies and contribute to peace and democracy. Defenders are agents for positive change and development. They are key in protecting against human rights violations and in advancing universal human rights.

Strengthening Civil Society Voices at the Council of Europe

Latest

Serbia: “The government’s ‘expecting violence’ rhetoric is a clear warning sign… that they’re preparing to create it.”

“Defending human rights in Russia is a lonely, exhausting, and often dangerous path. But some of us are still here—because someone has to be.”

Anar Mammadli condemns his trial as “political show staged by repressive ruling regime in Azerbaijan.”

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Our impact