Letters
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands should put in place strict human rights guardrails in their plans for ‘return hubs’
In letters published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, asks ministers responsible for migration policy in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands to ensure that any plans for ‘return hubs’ align with international human rights law. The...
Statement
Türkiye: Statement concerning the legal proceedings against Ekrem İmamoğlu
I am concerned by developments in the criminal proceedings against Ekrem İmamoğlu, the elected mayor of Istanbul, and other defendants in the case concerning the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. These proceedings raise grave issues regarding the right to a fair trial, including the principle...
Letter
Azerbaijan: Council of Europe Commissioner concerned about criminal case against journalist Afgan Sadigov
Commissioner O’Flaherty published a letter today addressed to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan, seeking clarification regarding the criminal proceedings against journalist Afgan Sadigov, who was arrested on 8 June 2026 and subsequently remanded in pre-trial detention. In 2024,...
Third party intervention
Council of Europe Commissioner intervenes in ECtHR case on the risk of eviction of a Roma settlement in Greece
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published his written comments today in the case of Nikoleta Zereliga and Others v. Greece, currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights. The case, lodged by five Greek citizens of Roma origin, concerns...
Country visit
Bulgaria can go further to enhance long-term care for older people and secure housing for Roma communities
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, conducted a visit to Bulgaria from 29 June to 3 July 2026. The visit focused on the human rights of older persons living in long-term care facilities, as part of the Commissioner's broader engagement on this issue across...
Statement
Statement on the escalating violence and attacks against civilians in Ukraine
“The Russian war against Ukraine continues to escalate with horrendous consequences for the people of Ukraine. I condemn the brutal overnight air attacks on Kyiv, which have killed at least 13 civilians, wounded over 80, and left more missing. Children are reported among the injured. My heartfelt...
Observations
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for continued solidarity and human rights protection for displaced Ukrainians in Europe
Today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released Observations warning against the premature winding down of protection and assistance for the millions of Ukrainians displaced across Europe by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. The Observations build on the...
Memorandum
Georgia: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for accountability of law enforcement and expresses concerns regarding mounting restrictions on democratic freedoms
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, released today a memorandum asking the Georgian authorities to make progress in ensuring accountability for the disproportionate use of force against protesters and to reverse legislation curtailing freedom of assembly,...
Country visit
The situation in long-term care facilities in France: the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights encourages the accelerated implementation of measures to safeguard the human rights of older people
Following his visit to France from 8 to 16 June, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, sets out his findings on the human rights situation of older people living in long-term care facilities (‘EHPADs’). This visit forms part of a wider initiative by the...
Memorandum
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for sustained support and long-term integration measures for Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia
"Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia need sustained support and further integration measures”, says Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, releasing a memorandum today, following his visit to Armenia. While welcoming the initial response of the Armenian...
Statement
United Kingdom: instrumentalisation of criminal acts spurring racist hate must stop
The horrific stabbing incident in Belfast this week, as well as other extensively reported crimes elsewhere in the United Kingdom, such as last year’s murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton, have been instrumentalised to whip up an unacceptable, often violent backlash against people purely because...
Speech
Reclaiming women’s roles in peace and security
Speech delivered at the Annual Conference of the Gender Equality Commission (GEC) "Women forging lasting peace. Dismantling barriers to gender-inclusive conflict resolution and peacebuilding." Minister, Chairperson, dear friends, I began my international human rights work during the wars in the...
Speech
Europe must maintain a welcome for displaced Ukrainians
Speech delivered at the Ukrainian Global Summit held in Bern, Switzerland on 6 June 2026. Thank you very much indeed. It is a great pleasure to be here. I am very grateful for the invitation. I would like to not only greet you, but I would like to greet those online, including my friend...
Speech
The urgency of a Council of Europe legal instrument on the right to a healthy environment
Intervention at the first european environmental human rights defenders forum. Dear friends, I am delighted to be here. I consider it an honour to be at the first ever European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders. I too hope that it will not be the last, and I too hope that the next one...
Country visit
Romania: Reforming long-term care to safeguard rights and dignity of older persons
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Romania from 26 to 29 May 2026, focusing on the human rights situation of older persons living in long-term care facilities. The visit forms part of the Commissioner’s broader engagement on this issue...
Memorandum
Armenia: more progress needed to combat violence against women
Violence against women remains a serious issue in Armenia, according to a memorandum released today by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights following his visit to the country in February 2026. While welcoming the authorities' willingness to address violence against women (VAW), the...
Memorandum
Türkiye: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for reforms to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and judicial independence
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released a memorandum today addressing freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and aspects of the administration of justice in Türkiye, following his visit to the country in December 2025. Ensuring freedom of...
Opinion article
After Chisinau: Europe, wake up!
Translation of an original Opinion article published in French on lemonde.fr on 25/06/2026 The ink on the Chișinău Political Declaration is barely dry and already the political spin has begun. We have emerged from a bruising few months for the protection of human rights - a period capped by...
Country visit
Serbia: Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights observes deteriorating human rights situation
Following his visit to Serbia from 18-21 May 2026, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued the following end-of-visit statement, which should be considered in conjunction with his previous interventions: The Commissioner’s visit to Serbia focused on issues...
Speech
The fragility of human rights and the necessary strength of our determination
Statement at 135th Session of the Committee of Ministers in Chişinău, Republic of Moldova President, Ministers, I join in condemning, without equivocation, the atrocities that continue to be perpetrated by the Russian Federation against the people of Ukraine. I join in insisting that all those...