Didn’t someone say that lasting change needs a united civil society? Right here stands the Human Rights House. This building embodies that very idea. The Human Rights House is a hub for defending fundamental rights. It unites three key associations. These are the Liga voor Mensenrechten. Also the Ligue des droits humains. And the International Federation for Human Rights.
Before its transformation, this building was a warehouse. It sat behind a building on Leopold II Avenue. Access was through a gate beneath the front building. The warehouse was deep with limited openings. A central courtyard had a glass roof. The building had a ground floor and three stories.
The renovation aimed to make the space public-friendly. Architects Manger Nielsen and Corbisier transformed it. They sought to create bright spaces. They also wanted a fluid organization for the associations. Flexibility was essential due to limited funds.
Natural light became a guiding principle. The architects reused existing materials. They kept exterior joinery. They also reused interior glass, radiators, and wooden floors. New materials were added minimally.
To maximize natural light, changes were made. The glass roof of the courtyard became a terrace. A light shaft was added at the building’s rear. The architects dismantled glazed partitions. They carefully stored them during the stripping phase. These were then reused in new partitions. This reuse strategy drove the project’s design. How could they dismantle? How could they pierce? Where should the glass go? What configuration would work best?
The steel structure got colorful paint. The treated wooden frames were left raw. Existing floors and roof trusses were painted white. A galvanized steel lift and staircase ensured accessibility.
The Human Rights House Foundation plays a crucial role. It supports Human Rights Houses internationally. These houses are coalitions of local civil society groups. They work to advance human rights. The network spans Eastern and Western Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. Eighty civil society organizations are part of this network.
The Human Rights House Foundation advocates for fundamental rights. It works at international and intergovernmental levels. It promotes civil society inclusion. It also reports on human rights trends. The foundation aims to strengthen international human rights standards. This influences national-level situations.
The Human Rights House Foundation holds consultative status at the UN. It has participatory status at the Council of Europe. It is also a Strategic Framework Partner of the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
The Brussels office focuses on advocacy. It targets European institutions and EU member states. Advocacy strategies are developed with Human Rights Houses. These strategies reflect national priorities. The foundation pushes the EU to uphold strong human rights standards. This is especially true in policies toward Eastern neighbors. They also focus on EU member states. Regular contact with MEPs is key.
The Human Rights House in Brussels facilitates NGO advocacy. It organizes visits and assists with EU-related inquiries. The foundation helps set long-term advocacy goals. Key policies targeted include freedom of expression. They also focus on assembly and association, and the rule of law. Human rights defenders are a priority. They also address country-specific human rights issues.
The Human Rights House stands as a testament. It shows how thoughtful design and dedicated collaboration can amplify the voices. These voices fight for human rights.