Rachel Visscher of NHC Netherlands – provide better support for human rights advocates so that they may advocate without threats
By Milena Rampoldi,
ProMosaik. An interview with Rachel Visscher,
Communication and Social Media Officer at NHC (Netherlands Helsinki Committee),
about the organization she works for. I asked her about the objectives and
topics NHC focuses on and about the importance of networking to strengthen
human rights and the fight against human rights violations all over the world. NHC’s
dream for the future is to
improve the policies that affect marginalised and trafficked persons, and to
provide better support for human rights advocates so that they may advocate
without threats.
ProMosaik. An interview with Rachel Visscher,
Communication and Social Media Officer at NHC (Netherlands Helsinki Committee),
about the organization she works for. I asked her about the objectives and
topics NHC focuses on and about the importance of networking to strengthen
human rights and the fight against human rights violations all over the world. NHC’s
dream for the future is to
improve the policies that affect marginalised and trafficked persons, and to
provide better support for human rights advocates so that they may advocate
without threats.
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| Rachel Visscher- made by Suzanna Kuhuparuw
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Milena Rampoldi: What
is NHC and what are the main objectives of NHC?
is NHC and what are the main objectives of NHC?
Rachel Visscher: The Netherlands Helsinki Committee is a non-governmental
organisation that promotes human rights and strengthens the rule of law and
democracy in all countries of Europe, including the Central Asian countries
participating in the OSCE. We support human rights NGOs to withstand
governmental pressure. Additionally, we work to improve the implementation of
OSCE human dimension commitments and other international human rights
agreements. We take active part in several civil society networks of human rights
NGOs and civil in Europe.
organisation that promotes human rights and strengthens the rule of law and
democracy in all countries of Europe, including the Central Asian countries
participating in the OSCE. We support human rights NGOs to withstand
governmental pressure. Additionally, we work to improve the implementation of
OSCE human dimension commitments and other international human rights
agreements. We take active part in several civil society networks of human rights
NGOs and civil in Europe.
Which are the main
topics you focus on?
topics you focus on?
Our work lies primarily
in executing projects to strengthen legal protection and improve public
policies that affect vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. The main topics of
focus are prison reform and probation, strengthening access to justice, human
trafficking, supporting civil society and human rights work, and human rights
advocacy.
in executing projects to strengthen legal protection and improve public
policies that affect vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. The main topics of
focus are prison reform and probation, strengthening access to justice, human
trafficking, supporting civil society and human rights work, and human rights
advocacy.
How are you
networked all around Europe?
networked all around Europe?
The NHC cooperates with
organisations in the countries where the activities are located. In the
Netherlands, civil society and professionals, such as lawyers have an essential
role. The NHC participates in European NGO networks such as the Civic
Solidarity Platform, the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum, and the EU Fundamental
Rights Platform. In the Netherlands, we are a member of the Netherlands Human
Rights NGO Platform (BMO). The NHC also cooperates with a range of experts from
organisations such as the Netherlands Custodial Institutions Agency (Dienst
Justitiële Inrichtingen), the Council for the Judiciary (Raad voor de
Rechtspraak) and the Training and Study Centre for the Judiciary (SSR). Most
funding for NHC projects has come from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and from the European Commission.
organisations in the countries where the activities are located. In the
Netherlands, civil society and professionals, such as lawyers have an essential
role. The NHC participates in European NGO networks such as the Civic
Solidarity Platform, the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum, and the EU Fundamental
Rights Platform. In the Netherlands, we are a member of the Netherlands Human
Rights NGO Platform (BMO). The NHC also cooperates with a range of experts from
organisations such as the Netherlands Custodial Institutions Agency (Dienst
Justitiële Inrichtingen), the Council for the Judiciary (Raad voor de
Rechtspraak) and the Training and Study Centre for the Judiciary (SSR). Most
funding for NHC projects has come from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and from the European Commission.
How important is
information about human rights violations and why?
information about human rights violations and why?
Information about human
rights violations is very important. Without understanding the fundamental
policies and practices that underlie human rights violations, it is not
possible to provide support to human rights lawyers and advocates.
Additionally, many citizens and activists face threats and governmental
pressure, which makes it difficult for them to proactively fight for certain causes.
Giving a voice to these issues and individuals allows governments, lawmakers
and citizens alike to properly evaluate the issues at hand and to address them
appropriately.
rights violations is very important. Without understanding the fundamental
policies and practices that underlie human rights violations, it is not
possible to provide support to human rights lawyers and advocates.
Additionally, many citizens and activists face threats and governmental
pressure, which makes it difficult for them to proactively fight for certain causes.
Giving a voice to these issues and individuals allows governments, lawmakers
and citizens alike to properly evaluate the issues at hand and to address them
appropriately.
In which regions do
you work?
you work?
The NHC works in all
countries in Europe, including the Central Asian countries participating in the
OSCE.
countries in Europe, including the Central Asian countries participating in the
OSCE.
What are the main
achievements in the history of your organization?
achievements in the history of your organization?
The NHC has completed
various projects including workshops for human rights activists and advocates.
Additionally, the NHC publishes a Security and Human Rights Journal (SHR). This
gives academics, intellectuals, and policy experts the opportunity to shed
light on some of the important issues in the field, as well as to offer
possible solutions or areas of interest for further research.
various projects including workshops for human rights activists and advocates.
Additionally, the NHC publishes a Security and Human Rights Journal (SHR). This
gives academics, intellectuals, and policy experts the opportunity to shed
light on some of the important issues in the field, as well as to offer
possible solutions or areas of interest for further research.
What is your dream
for the future?
for the future?
To improve the policies
that affect marginalised and trafficked persons, and to provide better support
for human rights advocates so that they may advocate without threats.
that affect marginalised and trafficked persons, and to provide better support
for human rights advocates so that they may advocate without threats.
