Honoring the past, shaping the present: the vital role of remembrance for Roma and Travellers
Thank you. It is a great pleasure to be here. I would like to greet everyone. I am very honoured that we are meeting in the presence of Mr Pfeil; it is a privilege for us all. I wish to echo what has already been said regarding the work of the Parliamentary Assembly in this area. I greatly...
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Political leadership, adequate resources: implementing a human rights approach for Europe’s Roma and Travellers
Speech delivered online at the EU Roma Week – EU MFF Event: “Roma Equality and Social Investment in the Next EU Budget, organised by the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network). Good morning. It's a great pleasure. Apologies for not being with you physically. This is the...
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Inauguration of the exhibition “The Unheard 12 million” during the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Speech of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty delivered the following opening remarks at the presentation of the book and inauguration of the exhibition “The Unheard 12 million” at the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council. In cooperation with OHCHR and the Permanent...
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Holocaust Remembrance Day: paths of memory and action - preserving the past, protecting the future
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, "Paths of Memory and Action: Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future", delivered at the event dedicated to the remembrance of the Holocaust and the prevention of crimes against humanity organised by Regards d’enfants in partnership with the Municipality of Rothau...
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Human rights situation of Roma and Travellers in Europe: we must listen to and work with them
Transcript of the speech delivered by Michael O'Flaherty at the exchange of views with PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Good morning everybody. Thank you for giving me the time. I am very glad to be back with you again, something like a year and a half later. When I first met...
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Roma Resistance Day: Commissioner honours the work of Roma Rights Defenders and calls for unity in standing up for human rights and combating racism to sustain their efforts
On the occasion of Roma Resistance Day, 16 May, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, delivered the following video message at the Roma Rights Network meeting, organised in Vienna on 15 and 16 May 2025: Hello, thank you very much for inviting me to join with you...
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Commissioner acclaims the leadership of Roma and Traveller youth and women and calls for joining hands for a better future
The Commissioner participated today in the flower casting ceremony to mark International Roma Day in Strasbourg. Here is the published version of his remarks made during the ceremony: “Deputy Mayor, PACE General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance Verducci, Excellencies, dear friends....
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Commissioner’s video message to the National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy
Video message delivered to the ‘National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy. Valuing Diversity’, organised by the NGO Voice of Romni, Kyiv, 30 January 2025: Dear friends, thank you so much for inviting me to participate in this conference. I'm sorry that I cannot be with you in...
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Commissioner’s video message to the Berlin Process Ministerial meeting on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process
Video message delivered to the Ministerial meeting on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process, organised in the context of the Berlin Process Meetings 2024, Berlin, 18 September 2024: Hello, and thank you so much for inviting me to this important meeting. I apologize that I can only...
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Journalism Excellence Awards 2024: the media is a key ally in defending the human rights of Roma
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty on the occasion of the Journalism Excellence Awards Ceremony - “Ethical media reporting on Roma and combating racism and antigypsyism through the media” Good evening, everybody. It is a great pleasure to be here on the occasion of the Journalism Excellence Awards. ...
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The Commissioner calls for an enhanced respect for the dignity of Romani people
Participating in an event to mark International Romani Day in Strasbourg today, the Commissioner delivered the following speech: “Excellencies, esteemed representatives of the city of Strasbourg, distinguished chair of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues,...
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CHACHIPEN Project "History, Memory and Justice for #Roma in Europe
Message to the Final Conference, CHACHIPEN Project "History, Memory and Justice for #Roma in Europe Distinguished participants, Dear organisers, dear colleagues, Thank you for your invitation to the final event of the CHACHIPEN Project on "History, Memory and Justice for Roma in Europe". I am...
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Creating trust through uncovering and recognising the truth: advancing recognition and remedy for antigypsyism
Dear Commissioners, members of parliaments, representatives of the Roma community, distinguished participants: As I was preparing for this speech, I looked back at my first year as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to recall examples of work I have done to promote truth and...
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Commemoration of the Roma Holocaust: our duty to remember, and to combat persisting anti-Gypsyism in today’s Europe
Today, Commissioner Mijatović is participating, in Auschwitz-Birkenau, in the ceremony of commemoration of the Roma Holocaust during the Second World War. In her speech she pays respect to the survivors of the genocide, stresses the duty to remember and the crucial importance of combating...
Developments in human rights at local and regional levels
Developments in human rights at local and regional levels. Speech by Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, at the 32nd Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities CommDH/Speech(2017)2
Seminar on Measures to Promote Reconciliation
Speech by Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the Conference presenting the results of the work of the Norwegian Tater/Romani Commission (Oslo, 1-2 June 2015) CommDH/Speech(2015)5
Global Forum on Statelessness
Keynote address by Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the Global Forum on Statelessness (The Hague, 15-17 September 2014) CommDH/Speech(2014)8
Stateless but not rightless: improving the protection of stateless persons in Europe
Stateless but not rightless: improving the protection of stateless persons in Europe. Keynote Speech by Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights at the Conference organised by UNHCR and the European Network on Statelessness (Strasbourg, 8 April 2014) CommDH/Speech(2014)6
European Roma and Travellers Forum Plenary Assembly
European Roma and Travellers Forum Plenary Assembly. Address by Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (Strasbourg, 3 September 2013) CommDH/Speech(2013)8 / 03 September 2013