Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders play a crucial role in promoting human rights and ensuring justice. Yet they face many obstacles, judicial harassment and violence. The Commissioner supports their work through recommendations to state authorities, awareness-raising and ongoing engagement with defenders and international bodies.

Commissioner pledges to prioritise the defence of civil society

“NGOs, trade unions, academia, the media, cultural practitioners and faith communities are both the lubricant and a key component of the human rights protection system”, says Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, at the occasion of Council of Europe's Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO) full article

Europe must end repression of human rights defenders assisting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants (2024)

Available versions:  English | French (currently being translated)
Introduction and recommendations: French