From 12 November until 12 December 2025, Utrecht was dedicated to human rights. On Wednesday 10 December, International Human Rights Day, all initiatives came together in and around the Stadhuis of Utrecht.

Living Library

At a new edition of the Living Library by Universiteit voor Humanistiek, visitors met “living books” who shared personal stories showing that identity is never one-dimensional. The programme explored multivoicedness: not only bringing different perspectives together, but recognising the many voices people carry within themselves — voices that challenge simplified labels such as “refugee,” “disabled,” or “poor,” which can stigmatise in public debate. The event raised a central question: Could there be a human right to multivoicedness?

One story was that of Nasima K. Verheul, adopted from Bangladesh. For years she described herself as “Dutch in a Bangladeshi body,” until discovering her adoption had been illegal brought forward another voice shaped by rupture, injustice, and a longing for recognition of her Bangladeshi identity. All voices, her story showed, ask recognition.

In Conversation About Human Rights from a Multi-Voiced Perspective

After the Living Library we spoke with several guests about human rights from a multi-voiced perspective. This panel with Anita Schaik (Armoedecoalitie Utrecht) and Marissa Burghardt – van der Tol (Disability Studies in Nederland), moderated by Nicole L. Immler, reflected on how harmful such simplified attributions can be — and how recognising inner plurality can deepen our understanding of human rights.

We warmly thank all participants – Jake Smit, Nasima K. Verheul, Madhawi Karaya, Yousef Al-Sallal, Zahraa Alamari, Joandi Hartendorp, and two people that chose to remain unnamed – who shared their stories, who together with the organizers Rosa Mul and festival curator Sara Miellet transformed the City Hall into a truly democratic space.

In the video you can hear more about the experiences of the books of taking part in the Living Library:

Video edited by Hans Sakkers

Grant by Vfonds

The project group Dialogics of Justice and the foundation Disability Studies in Nederland have been awarded a grant from Vfonds to organize a full series of four Human Library events. The event on December 10, 2025 was the first of the series.