We are excited to announce that Artists at Risk (AR) is coordinating a pilot programme in cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the City of Helsinki, with key funding from ProtectDefenders.eu!
The programme offers the temporary protection and support of Human Rights Defenders (HRD) by offering them a residency in Finland. HRDs work in increasingly dangerous situations and face a range of challenges, such as threats and harassment. In the worst cases, HRDs’ lives are at risk.
This small-scale pilot provides an opportunity for two HRDs to continue defending human rights, democracy, and civil society in a safe and stable environment in Helsinki. During the programme in 2025, two human rights defenders will have the opportunity to stay in Finland for three months (90 days). During their stay, they will be able to continue their work and network locally.
The first HRD supported by the programme, Hayfa Dhouib, arrived safely in Helsinki at the beginning of May. Dhouib is an independent journalist and political science researcher, as well as a women’s rights defender and activist deeply committed to social justice and equality. Her work explores the intersections of discrimination, power, and resistance through feminist and decolonial lenses. In Helsinki, Hayfa Dhouib has been able to explore the cultural and artistic scene, along with continuing her independent research. One of her current projects is a new podcast that brings together women — artists, writers, or activists — for intimate and political conversations. Each episode dives into a topic that is both personal and political, while offering a space to present their artistic visions and projects.
Thank you to our collaborators! The City of Helsinki is the programme’s host city. Funding is provided by the EU’s ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism to support human rights defenders, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the City of Helsinki.
The establishment of a national support programme for HRDs will be decided on the basis of the experience of the pilot programme.
Read more about the programme (in Finnish) on the Foreign Ministry’s website: https://um.fi/ajankohtaista/-/asset_publisher/gc654PySnjTX/content/ulkoministerio-artists-at-risk-ar-ja-helsingin-kaupunki-kaynnistavat-pilottiohjelman-ihmisoikeuspuolustajien-tukemiseksi
