We are proud to share HuMENA’s Activism in Exile Impact Report, highlighting five years of achievements, challenges, and milestones from 2019 to 2024. This report captures how HuMENA has transformed exile from a condition of displacement into a platform for advocacy, empowerment, and systemic change.
Since its launch, the Activism in Exile program has worked to empower exiled human rights defenders (HRDs) and activists from the MENA region, ensuring that their voices are not silenced by displacement but rather amplified on the global stage. Over the years, we have built a movement that redefines exile activism, positioning it as a driving force for change.
At HuMENA, we believe that advocacy from exile requires more than just activism—it requires strategic tools, networks, and resilience. That’s why we adopt a multi-dimensional approach in our training programs, equipping activists with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to advocate effectively, mobilize support, and sustain their activism in often hostile environments.
Our training is more than just knowledge-sharing; it is a transformative process, combining hands-on learning, peer-to-peer collaboration, and ongoing mentorship. Through this approach, we ensure that exiled activists are not just surviving—but thriving in their efforts to drive meaningful change.
Beyond individual empowerment, HuMENA has fostered transnational advocacy networks, connecting exiled activists across Europe and beyond. These networks create space for collaboration, shared resources, and coordinated campaigns that amplify the voices of those forced into exile. Through these efforts, we have strengthened solidarity and positioned exiled HRDs as key players in the fight for human rights and justice.
This journey has not been without obstacles. From donor skepticism to restrictive policies and the emotional toll of exile, the road has been filled with challenges. Many exiled activists faced isolation, security risks, and systemic barriers limiting their ability to organize.
However, HuMENA has worked tirelessly to overcome these barriers, ensuring that exile is not a constraint but rather an opportunity for advocacy, resilience, and systemic change. Through innovative strategies, sustained engagement, and unwavering commitment, we have turned challenges into opportunities—building not just a program, but a movement.
This report is more than just a summary of our work and past achievements—it is a testament to the power of resilience, solidarity, and collective action from exile. It showcases the milestones we have achieved, the challenges we have confronted, and the future we are building together.
We invite you to explore our journey, engage with our findings, and be part of this growing movement.
