Between 20-22 April 2026, the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) will gather in Barcelona for its General Assembly, marking 20 years since the organisation was founded in Stavanger, Norway, in 2006. Bringing together writers, artists, journalists, city representatives, and human rights defenders from across the globe, the annual gathering highlights the importance of collaboration and action at a time when freedom of expression and democratic values are increasingly under pressure.
The 2026 ICORN General Assembly is hosted in cooperation with PEN Català and supported by local, regional, and national partners, including the City of Barcelona, the Government of Catalonia, the Ministry of Culture, the Institution of Catalan Letters, Catalonia International, and the Ramon Llull Institute. This year’s collaborating entities include the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), the main venue of the Assembly, as well as Biblioteques de Barcelona, Diputació de Barcelona, and Fabra i Coats: Fàbrica de Creació.
The programme offers space for exchange, reflection, learning, and solidarity, bringing together creativity and critical dialogue on the most pressing issues facing free expression.
On Wednesday 22 April, a dedicated session examines new legal pathways for human rights defenders, addressing increasing barriers to mobility and protection. It features perspectives from Iranian writer Farhad Babaei and contributions from across the ICORN network. Dr. Annalisa Meloni and Evgeny Shtorn from Araminta present a proposal for a new EU Directive on conditions for entry and residence for human rights defenders, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Javier Roura Blanco. Panellists include Iraqi journalist Azhar Al-Rubaie and On the Move Secretary General Marie Le Sourd, among others.
