News
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Statement

Georgia: political manipulation and harassment of LGBTI people and human rights defenders have no place in a democratic society

27/03/2024 Strasbourg

“I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of...

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Speech

Commissioner addresses the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

26/03/2024 Strasbourg

Speech at the 46th Session of the Congress of the Council of Europe Dear Mr President, distinguished members of the Congress, I am grateful for the opportunity to address this assembly today. As my mandate comes to an end in the coming days, this moment offers a valued space to reflect with you...

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Statement

Azerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists and civil society activists

25/03/2024 Strasbourg

“The increasing repression faced by journalists and civil society members in Azerbaijan is reason for deep concern”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, referring to the arrests, detentions and judicial harassment that are stifling freedom of...

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Country visit

Montenegro: Seize the moment to strengthen protection of human rights

22/03/2024 Strasbourg

“Montenegro should take advantage of the opportunities offered by the prospects of further European integration to enhance its legal framework governing human rights and to ensure its full implementation”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, following her...

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Rule 9

Romania should implement the Strasbourg Court’s judgments regarding rights of persons with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions

21/03/2024 Strasbourg

The Commissioner published today two communications to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights relating to the protection of the rights of people with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions in...

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Country visit report

Germany: Follow through with human rights commitments and improve access to social rights

19/03/2024 Strasbourg

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Germany from 27 November to 1 December 2023, with recommendations regarding the available structures and legal frameworks to protect human rights, and on access to social rights, in...

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Issue Paper

Human rights of trans people: increased visibility and legal recognition contrast with lived experience of discrimination, violence

14/03/2024 Strasbourg

“Realising the rights of trans people is a matter of applying human rights equally to everyone, and states have the primary responsibility to lift the barriers trans people are facing in exercising their human rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja...

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Statement

AI instrument of the Council of Europe should be firmly based on human rights

13/03/2024 Strasbourg

“I have closely followed negotiations at the level of the Council of Europe Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI). As they reach their final stage, I reiterate my position that the legally binding instrument on AI and human rights should contain unambiguous obligations for states parties to...

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Statement

Full realisation of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights – an imperative for empowerment and gender equality

08/03/2024 Strasbourg

“Unimpeded access to quality sexual and reproductive health care is essential for women’s rights and gender equality’’, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, on International Women’s Day. “In my recent report on sexual and reproductive health and rights,...

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Country memorandum

Türkiye: reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society

05/03/2024 Strasbourg

“Freedom of expression is in peril in Türkiye, with journalists, human rights defenders and civil society operating in a critically hostile environment, marked by systematic pressure and legal action against them”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović,...

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Report

Sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe: a mixed picture of progress and challenges calls for robust action and commitment

27/02/2024 Strasbourg

“Charting the progress made towards the full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe paints a mixed picture. We can rejoice at notable achievements, but pervasive challenges and deficits as well as new retrogressive developments point to the need for member states to take...

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Statement

Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, 2 years on: our common struggle in defence of Ukrainian people’s human rights

23/02/2024 Strasbourg

Tomorrow marks two years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and two years of immense suffering for the Ukrainian people. The war rages on, and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continue to be committed. Each new...

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Recommendation

Europe must end repression of human rights defenders assisting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants

22/02/2024 Strasbourg

“Across Europe, individuals and organisations are facing growing harassment, intimidation, violence and criminalisation simply for contributing to the protection of the human rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. European states must stop this repression”, said today the Council of...

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Human Rights Comment

Protecting the human rights of sex workers

15/02/2024 Strasbourg

The lived realities of sex workers across Europe raise serious human rights concerns. It is crucial to approach this important and complex issue with a full understanding of the human rights consequences of the experience of high levels of violence and inadequate protection from law enforcement...

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Letters

Commissioner highlights key steps to better respect the rights of victims and deal with the past in the region of the former Yugoslavia

08/02/2024 Strasbourg

In her letters to the Prime Ministers of the Council of Europe member states in the region of the former Yugoslavia, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends specific steps to be taken to deal with the violent past and move more resolutely toward social...

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Statement

Joint commemoration and remembrance of the victims of past genocides brings light into the darkness

27/01/2024 Strasbourg

“The joint Muslim-Jewish observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a beacon of hope at a time when divisions often seem insurmountable. This commitment to fostering partnerships and meaningful dialogue is a powerful testament to the strength that lies in unity”, said the Council of...

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Statement

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Let us heed the warning signs of hatred, intolerance and violence before it is too late

24/01/2024 Strasbourg

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, released the following statement ahead of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust: “Learning about and acknowledging our history is a painful process but also the precondition for...

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Annual activity report

Annual Report 2023: Commissioner Mijatović calls for determined and collective efforts to regain lost ground and advance human rights

22/01/2024 Strasbourg

“The intensification of challenges to the protection of human rights cannot be an excuse for giving up. Rather, the moment calls for a renewed commitment to the principles and standards for which our Organisation stands”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja...

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Speech

Presentation of the 2023 Annual Activity Report of the Commissioner for Human Rights to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

22/01/2024 Strasbourg

Dear Mr. President, esteemed members of PACE, As I stand before you today to present my final annual report as Commissioner for Human Rights, I feel a profound sense of honour and responsibility. It has been, and it is still, a privilege to serve at the helm of this Institution, championing the...

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Observations

Armenia and Azerbaijan: effective human rights protection of all persons affected by the conflict over the Karabakh region is key to the success of the peace process

12/01/2024 Strasbourg

“Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities should ensure focus on human rights protection in their peace talks and establish strong human rights safeguards for all persons affected by the conflict”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, as she published her...

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Speech

Reconquering Lost Ground: A Reflection on 75 Years of the UDHR in Europe

22/12/2023 Paris

Speech (delivered online) at the Conference organised by the Université Paris Nanterre to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Excellencies, Dear participants, It is a great honour for me to be...

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Country visit report

Italy should improve legislation and practice on migration and asylum, women’s rights and gender equality

14/12/2023 Strasbourg

In a report published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends adopting a number of measures to better uphold the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and women. The Commissioner also raises certain issues concerning journalists and the legal...

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Letter

Finland: Concern over right to seek asylum and need for human rights safeguards after full closure of Eastern land border

11/12/2023 Strasbourg

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior of Finland, Mari Rantanen, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, raises concerns about the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants following the temporary closure of Finland’s Eastern land...

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Speech

Let us keep doing our utmost to bring all Ukrainian children back home

08/12/2023 Kyiv

Speech (delivered via video message) by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović for the Conference “Joint Steps to Bring Kids Back UA”, organised by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Kyiv on 8 December 2023 Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,...

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Speech

The resilience of the Ukrainian people stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of freedom

07/12/2023 Kyiv

Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović (delivered via video message) for the International conference "Freedom or Fear" dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organised by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for...

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Country visit

Germany: address growing poverty and inequality by better protecting social rights and reinforce general frameworks for human rights protection

04/12/2023 Strasbourg

“While Germany has a well-developed welfare system, persistent challenges in accessing social rights have resulted in disquieting levels of poverty, social inequality and homelessness, affecting a growing part of the population. Rapid action must be taken to better protect the right to an...

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Statement

Russia: decision to label the ‘international LGBTI movement’ as extremist is a grave attack against LGBTI people and human rights defenders

01/12/2023 Strasbourg

“The Russian Supreme Court’s labeling of the 'international LGBTI movement' as extremist is a grave attack on LGBTI people and those who defend their human rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic. “This stance goes against the fundamental principle...

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Speech

Europe 75 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A journey of progress, setbacks and persistence

30/11/2023 Berlin

Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, at the event organised by the German Institute for Human Rights (Deutsches Institute für Menschenrechte) and Evangelical Academy of Berlin (Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin) to mark the 75th Anniversary of the...

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Statement

Andorra: guarantee the right to freedom of expression for women’s rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés and ensure an enabling environment for women’s rights defenders

29/11/2023 Strasbourg

“The criminal proceedings against women rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés undermine her freedom of expression and have a chilling effect on the work of human rights defenders, as well as on others who stand up for the rights of women and girls in Andorra” said Council of Europe Commissioner...

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Statement

Hungary: The proposal for a “defence of national sovereignty” package should be abandoned

27/11/2023 Strasbourg

“The proposal to establish an ‘Office for the Defence of Sovereignty’ in Hungary, that would be vested with broad powers to investigate any organisation or person suspected of serving foreign interests or threatening national sovereignty, poses a significant risk to human rights and should be...

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