Legal status and background

Stichting Africa Human Rights Network Foundation (AHRN) is a non-profit organization registered as such with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in The Hague on (KvK) number 66265320, and on the Dutch Tax Authority (RSIN) number 856469919. AHRN was founded on 10 Match 2016 on the initiative of local Human Rights Defenders operating in the Great Lakes Region and members of African Diaspora living in The Netherlands. AHRN provides a platform to more than 75 civil society NGOs operating in the Great Lakes Region.
Our Mission

The mission of AHRN is to facilitate, through various activities, the promotion, protection and capacity building of Human Rights Defenders in the Great Lakes region, and thus strengthen the role of Civil Society in the region

Our Vision

AHRN’s vision is to be the primary support and platform for local human rights defenders and their organizations in the Great Lakes Region and enable them to work together for a better community. By doing so, AHRN seeks a better Great Lakes Region without any human rights violations.

Our Objectives
  1. Facilitate capacity building through exchange of experiences and information, research and internship programs;
  2. Support , lobby and advocacy for the protection of human rights defenders in danger;
  3. Support and strengthen organisational and institutional capacities of the organizations of human rights defenders in the Great Lakes region;
  4. Enable efficiency and effectiveness of human rights devotion;
  5. Promote and protect the rights of women and children, the rights of people with disabilities, minority groups as well as the environment and climate sustainability

What We Do?

Trainings for HRDs

AHRN specializes in offering comprehensive training programs tailored for human rights defenders. Our training modules encompass a range of critical skills, including digital security, project drafting, and English language proficiency. We place a strong emphasis on digital security, recognizing its pivotal role in safeguarding.

Shelter City

Ensure safe working conditions, Relocate, Repatriate defenders and follow up on their safety.
AHRN believes that the encouragement of HRDs to continue their work is vital to the continuation of peace-building efforts and promotion of human rights within the areas of conflict in the HRDs respective countries.

Relocation

Are you a human rights defender? Are you threatened or under intense pressure because of your work, and do you think that temporary shelter and rest can help you to continue your work of protecting and promoting human rights.
Apply for temporary relocation online Or Download the application form.

Our Activities

Organizational Development and Capacity Building (ODCB)

AHRN creates an environment in which defenders are able to network amongst one another and reflect on their common work experiences. The organization empowers defenders with further organizational development skills that they can utilize within their respective organizations. In addition, AHRN provides local Human Rights Defenders an opportunity to dedicate a period of time to working with other NGOs with similar goals in the region in order to gain new experiences and return from their exchange with a widened perspective

Strategy

To achieve its objectives, AHRN organizes capacity building activities such as trainings, workshops, and internships for the human rights defenders. We also organize networking activities among local organizations, and with the rest of human rights organizations worldwide.

To improve the working environment of Human Rights Defenders, AHRN works together with local, regional and international protection mechanisms and organizations including the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights and the East African Community. Together we engage in dialogue with member states and government to make sure that HRDs voices are heard and concerns are considered regarding their protection.

Technical Support to Local Initiatives (TSLI)

AHRN Assists local NGOs in developing, implementing and monitoring their projects, accordingly with the need and the funding opportunities.

Management and source of funding

AHRN is managed as a charitable organization / public benefit organization (een algemeen nut beogende instelling, ANBI). The foundation is managed by the board, assisted by the executive committee (experienced representatives of local NGOs) and a technical team based in The Hague.

The foundation is a non-profit organization and depends on donations, financial contributions and subsidies from third parties.

Copyright 2023. AHRN Foundation. All rights reserved.