26 May 2026 –

Organization’s profile

The Netherlands Helsinki Committee is a non-governmental organisation based in The Hague, working to promote human rights, the rule of law, justice, integrity and accountability across wider Europe, including Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the European Union. Building on a track record of more than 35 years, NHC’s mission is to inspire, engage and support catalysts of change in building just and rights-respecting societies.

NHC works with civil society, justice actors, public institutions, reform-oriented officials, independent media and other stakeholders to strengthen capacities, amplify voices, and support advocacy for democratic accountability and rights-based reform. Its work is organised around three programmes: Human Rights Defence, Integrity and Accountability, and Rights-Based Justice.

Through its Integrity and Accountability work, NHC addresses rule of law backsliding, corruption risks, weak accountability systems, shrinking civic space, and attacks on judicial independence and media freedom. NHC’s approach combines capacity strengthening, peer-to-peer expertise, coalition building, strategic advocacy and engagement with institutions at national, regional and international levels. In the current European context, where rule of law standards and civic freedoms are under pressure, NHC contributes to strengthening the actors and networks needed to defend transparency, accountability and democratic governance.  

Organization’s experience

The Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) is a national member of the UNCAC Coalition and brings to the Coalition its long-standing experience in advancing human rights, rule of law, integrity and accountability across wider Europe. NHC’s work is relevant to UNCAC implementation because it connects anti-corruption with civic space, judicial independence, media freedom, access to information, whistleblower protection, and the ability of civil society to hold authorities to account.
Through its Integrity and Accountability programme, NHC works to strengthen accountability systems, ethical public institutions and the role of civil society and media as independent watchdogs. Through its Human Rights Defence programme, NHC supports human rights defenders, civil society activists and their organisations to become resilient catalysts of change, expand their support base and increase the impact of their advocacy in contexts of shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding.
NHC has also supported UNCAC Coalition initiatives and joint advocacy, including public statements on strengthening a more effective, transparent and inclusive UNCAC Review Mechanism, the human rights impacts of corruption, solidarity with Ukraine, and the protection of anti-corruption voices such as Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. NHC would bring to the Coalition a strong rights-based and rule of law perspective from Europe and neighbouring regions.

Top 3 Priorities to Achieve as a CCC Member

• Strengthening the link between anti-corruption, human rights and civic space: I would work to ensure that anti-corruption advocacy remains firmly connected to the protection of civic freedoms, access to information, whistleblower protection, media freedom and the safety of civil society actors. Corruption thrives where scrutiny is weakened, and anti-corruption efforts cannot be effective without an enabling environment for journalists, activists and human rights defenders.
  
• Supporting stronger regional engagement across Europe and neighbouring regions: I would aim to strengthen participation and cooperation among organisations working on integrity, accountability and rule of law across Europe, including the EU, candidate countries, Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia. I would bring NHC’s experience in coalition-building, peer exchange and regional advocacy to help connect national experiences with international UNCAC processes.
  
• Promoting effective, transparent and inclusive UNCAC implementation and review: I would contribute to advocacy for a stronger UNCAC Review Mechanism, meaningful civil society participation, and practical follow-up at national level. This includes supporting members to use UNCAC standards in their advocacy, litigation, monitoring and engagement with institutions, while amplifying the voices of organisations facing shrinking civic space or retaliation for anti-corruption work.

Candidate’s profile

Ilaria Fevola is an international human rights lawyer with nearly a decade of experience advancing human rights, freedom of expression, transparency and institutional accountability across Europe and beyond. Her work focuses on closing the gap between rights on paper and rights in practice through legal advocacy, strategic litigation, policy reform and coalition-building.

At the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, she leads and contributes to EU-funded initiatives strengthening civil society engagement in the implementation of European human rights judgments, promoting civic space, rule of law and democratic accountability across Europe. Her current work also includes rights-based approaches to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, supporting civil society, independent media and grassroots actors facing threats and democratic backsliding.

Previously, as part of the Law & Policy Team ARTICLE 19, Ilaria worked extensively on transparency, access to information and accountability, including advocacy before EU institutions, landmark litigation before EU courts, and engagement with the EU Ombudsman on access to documents and the public’s right to know. She brings strong legal expertise, established global networks, and experience working with civil society, journalists, governments, courts, international mechanisms and several Coalition members.

Contributions to the work of the Coalition

I would contribute legal and advocacy expertise on the links between anti-corruption, human rights, civic space and rule of law, including access to information, whistleblower protection, media freedom, SLAPPs and institutional transparency. Having worked globally, I bring a recognised expert voice and established relationships with civil society organisations, journalists, international mechanisms and Coalition members. Through NHC’s work with grassroots organisations and civil society actors facing threats and democratic backsliding, I would help ensure UNCAC advocacy reflects lived realities in the European region and amplifies the voices of those defending accountability on the ground.

Candidacy & Interest Disclosure