This gathering brings together stories from the international HRT community and the local region, and shows how small, personal actions can be meaningful in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming.

In a series of short six-minute presentations, community members share their stories, projects and initiatives related to human rights. The focus is on connection, practical perspectives for action, and breaking through feelings of powerlessness.

Special: Free Betty – Interview with Abdelkader Bassou (Morocco)

A central part of the Meetup is a special conversation with Abdelkader Bassou, colleague and fellow activist of Betty Lachgar from Morocco.
Lachgar, also a member of the Human Rights Tattoo community, was sentenced in August 2025 to 30 months in prison for “blasphemy” after wearing a T-shirt with the text “Allah is a Lesbian”. Her case received international attention as a serious violation of freedom of expression.

During the Meetup, Abdelkader Bassou will speak live from Morocco about her arrest, her work within the activist collective M.A.L.I., and the broader situation of human rights and freedom of expression in Morocco. The short documentary that Human Rights Tattoo made about Betty in Rabat in 2019 will also be screened again. The film premiered six years ago at the LocHal in the presence of Betty herself.

More information: https://linktr.ee/freebetty

Keynote: Susan Kigula (Uganda)

The afternoon concludes with a powerful keynote by human rights lawyer Susan Kigula from Uganda.
Kigula was wrongfully imprisoned on death row for many years. During her detention, she studied law, defended herself and fellow prisoners, and eventually succeeded not only in regaining her own freedom but also in changing Uganda’s legal system regarding the death penalty.

Today, she runs her own legal practice in Kampala and is internationally recognised as an influential voice in the fight against the death penalty. Her story shows the power of perseverance, human dignity and justice under extreme circumstances.

Other Speakers This Edition

• Sidney Marte – How one internship dilemma shaped an entire frame of reference and still influences every choice.
• Charlotte Spaas – Philosophical evenings that place human rights in candlelight.
• Amarylle van Doorn – “Everyone has the right to healthcare”: the humanitarian concerns of a healthcare professional.
• Xan Koster – “I believe we can make people with disabilities less disabled — but my solution does not come from the medical world.”
• Arno Macken – From the heart to hard numbers: a journey to the crossroads of emotion and measurable impact.

Raisehof Collectief – Youth Program

Young people from the Raisehof Collective will be present with their own Human Rights Action T-shirt, created using linocut printing. The shirt — and their other work — can be seen and ordered at the Community Info Market. All proceeds go directly to the young creators, enabling them to continue creating and to make their voices heard around human rights.

This Meetup is made possible with the support of the Municipality of Tilburg, Humanistisch Verbond and TijdLab of Bibliotheek Midden-Brabant.

Wildcard with Tattoo!
Do you want to present your project or initiative? Or have you found a way to counter indifference? Send us your idea for a 6-minute talk! At each edition, we select one wildcard speaker — rewarded with a Human Rights Tattoo.

Even though the time to send in your Wildcard submission has passed for this edition please feel free to send in your ideas anyway as we will keep them for a next edition! You cen send it to human@humanrightstattoo.org.