In March 2025, we held a farewell party for Fred, who, after 12 years of dedicated service as Director at NF, passed on this role to Hope Rikkelman.
We honour her dedication, leadership, and steadfast commitment to justice and she is and will be our heartily appreciated teammate and friend.
Her work has been a guiding light for so many — championing human rights, advocating for war victims, and proving that one person can drive real change.
Beyond Frederiek’s professional achievements, she has been a mentor, an inspiration, and a true force for good for all those lucky to work with her.
As she embarks on this next chapter, her vision, perseverance, and commitment to the rule of law will continue to inspire and shape the field for years to come. Her contributions are deeply appreciated, and her legacy will remain a guiding force in the pursuit of justice.
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Frederiek de Vlaming is a senior researcher in international criminal law at the University of Amsterdam and the former director of the Nuhanovic Foundation. She has worked extensively with organizations like the UNHCR and Amnesty International, focusing on human rights and development. De Vlaming co-founded several legal networks, including the Syria Legal Network and Ukraine Legal Network, to support legal education and accountability initiatives. Her work emphasizes supporting war victims in seeking justice through reparations and rehabilitation. She is also a columnist for Amnesty International, highlighting her commitment to human rights advocacy.
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Her notable achievements include:
▫️Research on Legal Proceedings Initiated by War Crime Victims: Frederiek has conducted in-depth studies analyzing the impact of legal actions taken by victims of war crimes. Her research focuses on understanding the objectives of these victims, the effectiveness of legal proceedings in achieving their goals, and the broader implications of such cases on public debate and policy.
▫️Academic Contributions: As a criminologist specializing in international criminal law and transitional justice, Frederiek has contributed significantly to the academic discourse on human rights and justice. She has been involved in various research projects and has provided mentorship to law students and professionals in the field.
▫️Senior Advisor at the Nuhanovic Foundation: In this role, Frederiek has been instrumental in assisting victims of war in initiating legal proceedings against individuals or corporations complicit in war crimes. Her work encompasses supporting Palestinians pursuing cases against the Israeli Defense Forces and addressing breaches of humanitarian law by the Dutch military during interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
▫️Co-founder of the Syria Legal Network: Frederiek co-founded this organization to provide legal support and advocacy for Syrian legal practitioners and human rights activists. The network focuses on addressing legal and non-legal needs of the Syrian community, particularly those affected by the conflict.
▫️Establishment of the Ukraine Legal Network: In November 2023, Frederiek played a pivotal role in launching this survivor-led initiative aimed at supporting Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands. The network assists survivors of international crimes and human rights violations in accessing justice and obtaining reparations for damages suffered due to Russian aggression.
