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...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Safeguarding Ukrainians displaced across Europe
Over four years ago, at the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, while leading an EU agency, I deployed a team to Ukraine’s borders. The extraordinary solidarity shown by the people of Europe’s villages and towns was striking. Host countries provided Ukrainians with the right to stay and...
Speech
Exchange with the Committee of Ministers: facing the hard winds to deliver human rights for all
Commissioner's introductory remarks at the exchange of views with the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Deputies Merci Madame la Présidente, dear Ambassadors, Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to be with you this afternoon to present my annual report for 2025. I hope you've all had a...
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...
Speech
A change of era: Commissioner O’Flaherty urges vigilance for the Convention system at a fragile moment
Presentation of the Commissioner's annual activity report 2025 at the Spring plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Madam President, thank you very much. Honourable members of the Assembly, it's a great pleasure to be back with you in this capacity to present you...
Annual activity report
In the midst of a "change of era," Council of Europe Commissioner urges action to reclaim the treasure of human rights that we risk losing
Presenting his 2025 Annual Activity Report to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, warned that Europe, and the rest of the world, is no longer merely in an "era of change" but is experiencing a profound...
Speech
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...