Asset Publisher
Rule 9
Commissioner Mijatović highlights the need to strengthen the fight against domestic violence in Romania
The Commissioner published today her submission to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of the judgment delivered by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Bălșan v. Romania in 2017. The Court found a violation of the prohibition of torture and...
Statement
Commemoration of the Roma Holocaust: it is imperative to act relentlessly to combat anti-Gypsyism
Remembering the victims of the Roma Holocaust on 2 August is a crucial moment every year. It plays a key role in the fight against racism and discrimination which targets them. I welcome the fact that more and more actors across Europe are involved in exposing the tragic chapters of Roma history...
Statement
The Commissioner urges President of Poland to veto the amendments to the Medical Professions Act
“I regret that the amendments to Poland’s Medical Professions Act adopted on 16 July by the lower house of the Polish parliament, the Sejm, fail to explicitly oblige healthcare providers to refer patients to an alternative and willing provider in the event of the refusal of a medical service on...
Statement
Commissioner calls on Russian authorities to drop charges against human rights defender Semyen Simonov
“Today’s indictment of Semyen Simonov, a Russian human rights defender in Sochi, for not complying with the legislation on non-commercial organisations is alarming and will have a massive chilling effect on the entire human rights community in Russia”, said today Commissioner Mijatović. “Mr...
Statement
Srebrenica genocide victims' long fight for justice
The Srebrenica genocide marked one of the darkest pages of European history. If we want to write a brighter future, we must remember what happened and promote awareness and education about the Srebrenica genocide, and fight against genocide denial or distortion or falsification of that part of...
Statement
Commissioner calls for effective investigations into cases of police violence in Belgrade
“The violent dispersal of demonstrators by the Serbian police in Belgrade yesterday raises serious human rights concerns”, said today the Commissioner. “Police violence or disproportionate use of force must never be tolerated, even when operations aimed at maintaining public order during...
Statement
The Russian authorities should remedy the long-standing problem of undue restrictions to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and press freedom
“The detention of 19 people, including journalists, in Moscow and Pskov on Friday and the verdict against journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva today reflect once again the urgency to overhaul legislation governing freedom of assembly and of expression, as well as anti-terrorism and anti-extremism...
Rule 9
The Turkish authorities should release Osman Kavala and take far-reaching measures to prevent the misuse of detentions on remand
The Commissioner published today her submission to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of the judgment handed down by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Kavala v. Turkey on 10 December 2019. This case relates to the detention of the...
Statement
Commissioner’s concerns about proposed changes affecting the legal profession in Turkey
“I have taken note with concern of a bill recently submitted to the Turkish Parliament containing amendments to the Turkish Law No. 1136, which affect lawyers and their professional associations. The proposed changes would notably allow for a plurality of bar associations in provinces with large...
Speech
How to advance the human rights of intersex people: lessons learned from Finland
Webinar organised by the Permanent Representation of Finland to the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Unit I would like to start with a heartfelt thank you to Finland for taking the initiative of this webinar and for its expressed commitment to...
Speech
Human rights and Business - Prosperity Through Diversity
Virtual conference under the auspices of the Greek Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Excellencies, dear participants, dear friends, The human rights responsibilities of business are not a new topic, but I think that the way in which we see them is evolving, and so are our expectations. For a...
Country visit report
The Republic of Moldova should ratify the Istanbul Convention, improve its response to hate speech and advance access to quality healthcare, affordable housing and social inclusion for all
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today a report on her visit to the Republic of Moldova in March this year – which included travel to Comrat (Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia) and Tiraspol - with recommendations on violence against women and...
Statement
Commissioner calls on Russian authorities to overhaul legislation and practice governing freedom of assembly and of expression
“The arrest of more than 100 people in Moscow and St Petersburg yesterday is yet another illustration of the intolerance of the Russian authorities towards people expressing their opinions peacefully. I stressed on several occasions that the sanitary restrictions introduced to fight the COVID-19...
Ansprache
Flüchtlingsschutz in Europa: die EMRK und darüber hinaus
Videobotschaft anlässlich des 20. Berliner Symposiums zum Flüchtlingsschutz "Europa, Corona und die Menschenrechte - Die Bedeutung der Europäischen Menschenrechtskonvention (EMRK) für den Flüchtlingsschutz" Meine Damen und Herren, In den letzten 70 Jahren hat sich die Europäische...
Statement
Pushbacks and border violence against refugees must end
“On 20 June, World Refugee Day will spotlight the hardship that refugees endure. I pay tribute to the resilience of refugees and reiterate the call to protect them and uphold their rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, ahead of World Refugee Day. “All too often,...
Speech
Commissioner Mijatović intervenes before the European Court of Human Rights in a case concerning family reunification in Denmark
Today the Commissioner took part in the hearing before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of M.A. v. Denmark concerning the refusal to grant family reunification to a Syrian national with temporary protection status, because he had not yet held a residence permit...
Statement
Immediate action needed to disembark migrants held on ships off Malta’s coast
“The situation of more than 400 persons kept on private ships just outside Malta’s territorial waters is unsustainable and requires immediate action”, said today Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Since Malta closed its ports in response to the Covid-19 crisis,...
Speech
States must give a renewed impetus to realising human rights for all
The Commissioner participated today in the exchange of views organised by the Greek Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. She delivered the following speech: Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The...
Statement
25th anniversary of Tuzla massacre: Ensuring justice for past crimes must be one of the top political priorities in the region
Today we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the massacre of Tuzla, where a grenade fired by the Army of the Republika Srpska killed 71 people and injured more than 130. It is important to commemorate the victims and survivors of that atrocious crime and remember the suffering of their families....
Statement
Lessons to be drawn from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care facilities
After the initial scramble to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Europe and as the situation slowly improves in the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, Council of Europe member states have to reckon with the grim reality that a substantial number of deaths, up to half according to...
Statement
Statement of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights concerning the Bleiburg commemoration
"The mass planned in Sarajevo on 16 May with the intention of commemorating soldiers and civilians who died in Bleiburg, in the aftermath of the Second World War, risks becoming a glorification of those who supported the Nazi-allied fascist Ustasha regime, complicit in the death of hundreds of...
Joint statement
COVID-19: The suffering and resilience of LGBT persons must be visible and inform the actions of States
Statement by human rights experts on the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 17 May 2020 Geneva/Washington D.C./Strasbourg, 14 May 2020 On the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May 2020, a group of United Nations...
International Day
Hate mongering against LGBTI people has no place in today’s Europe
As we prepare to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, I call on all member states of the Council of Europe to take firm action against hate speech targeting LGBTI people, which is dangerously spreading across Europe. Hateful and prejudiced statements,...
Letter
Swiss lawmakers should review draft legislation on police counterterrorism measures to ensure respect for human rights
In a letter addressed to the Chair and members of the National Council Committee on Security Policy, made public today, the Commissioner invites parliamentarians to review the draft Federal Law on Police Counterterrorism Measures in order to ensure that all human rights standards are respected....
Letter
Commissioner urges Malta to meet its obligations to save lives at sea, ensure prompt and safe disembarkation, and investigate allegations of delay or non-response to situations of distress
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela, published today, the Commissioner urges the Maltese government to fully meet its human rights obligations towards migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees, who cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. “In accordance with...
Statement
COVID-19: Ensure women’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights
It is already clear that the pandemic will deepen existing gender inequalities, given women’s over-representation in professions (and other unpaid activities) which expose them to a high risk of infection and in low-paid and precarious jobs which will be particularly badly affected by the ensuing...
Statement
Support a free, independent and safe press
“Free and quality journalism is an asset of democracy. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the essential role that journalists and media professionals play by providing reliable information, countering disinformation that may cause panic and keeping decision-makers accountable to the...
Statement
Commissioner welcomes the first joint commemoration in the former extermination camp in Jasenovac since 2014
75 years ago, today, the Jasenovac extermination camp in Croatia was dismantled. In that camp, more than 80 000 persons were brutally killed by the fascist Ustasha regime. As we honour the memory of the victims today, I warmly welcome the first joint commemoration in Jasenovac since 2014...
Annual activity report
Challenges to human rights have intensified in Europe
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today her annual activity report covering 2019. The report provides an overall picture of the main problems, challenges and opportunities that European countries are facing in the field of human rights. “The image I...
Statement
States should ensure rescue at sea and allow safe disembarkation during the COVID-19 crisis
“Despite the unprecedented challenges European countries face due to COVID-19, saving lives at sea and disembarking survivors in a safe port must continue”, stated today Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. The Commissioner calls on Council of Europe member states...
Statement
Commissioner urges Poland’s Parliament to reject bills that restrict women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and children’s right to sexuality education
“It is with dismay that I have learned that Poland’s Parliament’s lower house plans to resume this week the examination of two citizens’ bills that aim to restrict women’s access to safe and legal abortion care and children’s right to sexuality education. I urge the Parliament to reject both...
Statement
Governments must ensure equal protection and care for Roma and Travellers during the COVID-19 crisis
Every year, on the occasion of International Roma Day, governments are reminded of the need to improve the living conditions of the many impoverished and marginalised Roma in Europe and step up measures to combat the discrimination they face. This call should resonate even more loudly this year,...
Statement
COVID-19 pandemic: urgent steps are needed to protect the rights of prisoners in Europe
I call on Council of Europe member states to safeguard the rights and health of all persons in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. Convicted prisoners and persons on remand are among those most vulnerable to viral contagion as they are held in a high-risk environment: in general, detention...
Statement
Press freedom must not be undermined by measures to counter disinformation about COVID-19
“The global health problems caused by COVID-19 require effective measures to protect people’s health and lives. This includes combating disinformation that may cause panic and social unrest. Regrettably some governments are using this imperative as a pretext to introduce disproportionate...
Statement
Persons with disabilities must not be left behind in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic
As governments in Europe react to the rapid spread of the coronavirus through wide-reaching measures, they must not forget that a large proportion of their population is living with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are not only often at increased risk of serious health complications, but...
Country visit report
Stronger commitment needed to combat racism, fight gender stereotypes and increase media freedom in Bulgaria
Today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published a report on the visit to Bulgaria she carried out in November 2019. The report focuses on racism, intolerance and discrimination; violence against women and domestic violence; and media freedom. The Commissioner...
Statement
Commissioner calls for release of immigration detainees while Covid-19 crisis continues
I call on all Council of Europe member states to review the situation of rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants in immigration detention, and to release them to the maximum extent possible. In the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic, many member states have had to suspend forced returns...
Statement
Older persons need more support than ever in the age of the Covid-19 pandemic
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is especially dangerous for older persons and has a disproportionately negative impact on their right to health and other human rights. The European countries which put confinement measures into place in their fight against the virus have often asked...
Letter
New EU Pact on Migration and Asylum should be firmly underpinned by human rights, effective solidarity and responsibility sharing
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights published today a letter addressed to European Commission Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Johansson in which she draws their attention to crucial human rights issues pertaining to the protection of the rights of migrants, including...
Statement
We must respect human rights and stand united against the coronavirus pandemic
“Millions of people around the world are living through extremely tough times because of the rapid global spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. All my thoughts are with the people infected, the families and people close to them and with those who have lost loved ones,” stated today Dunja...
Country visit
The Republic of Moldova should ratify the Istanbul Convention, strengthen protection against hate speech and improve access to quality healthcare and social housing
“The Republic of Moldova has made commendable progress in aligning its legislation on women’s rights and domestic violence with international standards and worked gradually to strengthen its implementation on many levels. A speedy ratification of the Istanbul Convention will send a strong message...
Statement
Let us all rise to the challenge of making a world where gender equality is a reality
Ahead of International Women’s Day 2020, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović issued the following statement today: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, it is saddening to note that most...
Letter
Commissioner concerned about disproportionate interference with the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Azerbaijan
Commissioner Mijatović published today a letter she addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr Vilayat Eyvazov, in which she raises concerns in relation to the dispersal of demonstrators in recent protests in Baku and limitations imposed on freedom of assembly in that...
Statement
Time to immediately act and to address humanitarian and protection needs of people trapped between Turkey and Greece
The human rights situation at the border between Turkey and Greece where thousands of vulnerable men, women and children are trapped between borders without access to assistance or the possibility to seek international protection is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Urgent action is now...
Speech
Commissioner calls on member states to support the recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the UN
Addressing the High Level Conference “Environmental Protection and Human Rights”, the Commissioner delivered the following speech today: I would start by thanking Georgia for making Environment and Human Rights the priority of its Presidency and raising the profile of the theme of Environment and...
Letter
Commissioner urges Italy to suspend co-operation activities with Libyan Coast Guard and introduce human rights safeguards in future migration co-operation
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Luigi Di Maio, published today, the Commissioner urges the Italian government to introduce human rights safeguards in the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Libya. While noting that discussions to improve human rights...
Statement
Julian Assange should not be extradited due to potential impact on press freedom and concerns about ill-treatment
I have been following with great attention the developments concerning Julian Assange’s case, in particular the charges against him and the extradition request submitted by the United States government to the United Kingdom. In addition to my own monitoring and analysis, I have received...
Statement
The reaction of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to the re-arrest of Osman Kavala
The re-arrest of Osman Kavala after his acquittal in the Gezi trial yesterday, under separate charges concerning the coup attempt of 15 July 2016, is a perfect illustration of the acute problems of the Turkish judiciary and the situation of Turkish human rights defenders that I have examined in a...
Country visit report
Turkish authorities must restore judicial independence and stop targeting and silencing human rights defenders
In a report published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, calls on the Turkish authorities to restore judicial independence and stop the practice of targeting human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists and silencing them by using administrative and...
Rule 9
The Polish authorities need to take adequate measures to ensure access to lawful abortion
The Commissioner published today her submission to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of the judgments handed down by the European Court of Human Rights in three cases against Poland. Each of these cases relates to one of the three different situations...