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,...
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...
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...
Letter
Poland: Commissioner concerned over suspension of asylum and removal practices
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior of Poland, published today, Michael O’Flaherty expresses concern that the Polish authorities are applying legislation which provides for the temporarily suspension of access to asylum at the Poland-Belarus border in every case in which border...
Letter
Armenia should adopt a robust anti-discrimination framework
In a letter to the Prime Minister of Armenia published today, Michael O’Flaherty recommends that Armenia adopts a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. The Commissioner welcomed Armenia’s progress, including the new sectoral legislation and guarantees in the Criminal Code, as well as the...
Letter
Council of Europe Commissioner asks Italy to establish a National Human Rights Institution
In a letter to the Presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies of Italy published today, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty encouraged the Italian Parliament to establish a fully independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) with a broad mandate. While...
Letter
Iceland: Commissioner encourages amending the bill on “Departure Centre” to avoid detention of children
In a letter to the Parliament of Iceland’s Judicial Affairs and Education Committee published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty encourages Committee members to amend the bill establishing a departure centre for foreign nationals to exclude provision for...
Letter
Commissioner calls for effective investigations into alleged police violence during 2024 protests in Georgia
In a letter published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expressed concerns to Georgia’s Prosecutor General about the lack of tangible progress in investigations into alleged disproportionate use of force by law enforcement against protesters and...
Artículo de opinión
La diplomacia transaccional no puede llevar la paz a Ucrania
Copyright Project Syndicate, 04/12/2025 KYIV – El mundo contiene la respiración mientras se intensifica la diplomacia para poner fin a la brutal guerra de agresión de Rusia contra Ucrania. Pero, aunque necesario y bienvenido, este último impulso diplomático conlleva enormes riesgos. Dada la...
Letter
Commissioner asks Bulgarian lawmakers to reject amendments that would undermine the human rights of LGBTI people
In a letter to the President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks Bulgarian lawmakers to refrain from adopting proposed amendments to the Child Protection Act and other laws, expressing concern about their compatibility with Council of Europe and...
Letters
United Kingdom: Commissioner addresses human rights issues in policing of protests and the situation of trans people
Today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published two letters on the United Kingdom. These letters, which expand on his initial observations following a recent visit, address the policing of protests and the situation of trans people. Policing of protests...
Letter
The Commissioner asks the German authorities to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the context of the conflict in Gaza
In a letter addressed to the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty raises concerns about restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly of persons protesting in the context of the conflict in Gaza, as well as about reports of...
Letter
Commissioner asks Hungary’s Parliament not to adopt law that stifles civil society
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks parliamentarians to refrain from adopting the Draft Law on Transparency of Public Life unless it is amended to comply with international human rights law, notably freedom of expression and association,...
Memorandum
Greece should ensure that Roma have access to adequate housing and are not subject to discriminatory treatment or violence by law enforcement authorities
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on the human rights of Roma in Greece, following his visit to the country from 3 to 7 February 2025. The Commissioner acknowledges the efforts deployed by Greece to address the human rights...
Memorandum
Greece should prevent pushbacks and ensure accountability for human rights violations at the borders
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on migration and border control in Greece, following his visit to the country from 3 to 7 February 2025. The Commissioner notes that Greece has been particularly affected by irregular arrivals,...
Letter
Bulgaria: Emergency shelter, access to basic services and adequate housing measures needed for Roma left homeless in Sofia
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty raises concern about the situation of numerous Roma left homeless following the recent demolition of their homes by the authorities in Sofia, despite an interim measure issued by the...
Letter
The Slovak Parliament should not adopt legislation that threatens civil society
In a letter addressed to the Slovak Parliament, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks parliamentarians to refrain from adopting a draft law on non-profit organisations or any amendments which are not fully in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. Following a letter about the draft law...
Letter
Hungary should reconsider the law on assemblies and refrain from adopting legislative proposals which threaten the human rights of LGBTI people
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks members of Parliament to reconsider the amendment to the Law on the right to assembly, which effectively bans events like Pride marches. He also urges them to refrain from adopting pending...