Statement

Azerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists and civil society activists

25/03/2024 Strasbourg

“The increasing repression faced by journalists and civil society members in Azerbaijan is reason for deep concern”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, referring to the arrests, detentions and judicial harassment that are stifling freedom of...

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Country memorandum

Türkiye: reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society

05/03/2024 Strasbourg

“Freedom of expression is in peril in Türkiye, with journalists, human rights defenders and civil society operating in a critically hostile environment, marked by systematic pressure and legal action against them”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović,...

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Statement

Andorra: guarantee the right to freedom of expression for women’s rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés and ensure an enabling environment for women’s rights defenders

29/11/2023 Strasbourg

“The criminal proceedings against women rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés undermine her freedom of expression and have a chilling effect on the work of human rights defenders, as well as on others who stand up for the rights of women and girls in Andorra” said Council of Europe Commissioner...

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Statement

Anna Politkovskaya: the pardon is an insult to justice. It should not stop the fight for truth

15/11/2023 Strasbourg

“The pardon by the Russian authorities of one of the men convicted in the murder of Anna Politkovskaya is an insult to justice, compounded by the fact that the masterminds behind this horrific crime were never revealed nor convicted,” said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human...

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Speech

Member states must act now to strengthen journalists’ safety

05/10/2023 Riga, Latvia

Speech delivered on behalf of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, at the Conference “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword? Meeting today’s challenges to freedom of expression and the safety of journalists”, organised under the Latvian presidency of the Committee of...

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Letter

Malta: Commissioner raises concerns over freedom of expression and the lack of justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia

03/10/2023 Strasbourg

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published her letter to the Prime Minister and to the Speaker of the Parliament of Malta today, expressing concern about the implementation of the recommendations of the public inquiry report into the murder of Daphne Caruana...

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Country visit report

Serbia: step up efforts to face the past, safeguard freedom of expression and assembly and protect women from violence

28/09/2023 Strasbourg

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Serbia in March 2023, with recommendations focusing on transitional justice and dealing with the past, freedom of expression and assembly and women’s rights and gender equality. ...

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Letter

Bosnia and Herzegovina: the authorities of Republika Srpska should refrain from further restricting the rights of NGOs

21/09/2023 Strasbourg

In a letter addressed to the President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, raises concerns about the Draft Law on Special Registry and Transparency of the Work of Non-Profit...

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Letter

Azerbaijan: concerns about the disproportionate use of force by police during environmental protests and restrictions to the work of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists

24/07/2023 Strasbourg

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Vilayat Eyvazov, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, raises concerns about the recent dispersal of environmental protests and the arrests of participants in the Soyudlu...

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Statement

Online threats against Finnish journalist Ida Erämaa should be investigated and condemned

06/07/2023 Strasbourg

“I am following with concern the smear campaign against journalist Ida Erämaa in Finland. This is a serious case which should not remain unsanctioned” said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović. “Since publishing a newspaper column over the weekend which...

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Statement

Oleg Orlov's trial is a travesty of justice

07/06/2023 Strasbourg

“Oleg Orlov's trial which begins tomorrow, is a travesty of justice that shows contempt for the most basic human rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović. “Oleg Orlov - a prominent human rights defender and long-time partner of my office – faces a...

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Human Rights Comment

Crackdowns on peaceful environmental protests should stop and give way to more social dialogue

02/06/2023 Strasbourg

Environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss are among the most urgent existential threats to humankind and to human rights. In response, many people in Europe and beyond have seen fit to take to the streets and to try new, often disruptive, forms of peaceful protest to demand...

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Country visit report

Spain: address housing and health inequalities, safeguard freedoms of expression and assembly and provide safe and legal access to the territory for people seeking asylum

10/05/2023 Strasbourg

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović published today the report on her visit to Spain carried out in November 2022, with recommendations on social rights, in particular the right to housing and the right to health, the freedoms of expression and assembly and the human...

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Statement

The Turkish authorities must protect democratic freedoms

05/05/2023 Strasbourg

The Turkish authorities should put an end to the hostile environment affecting human rights defenders, journalists, NGOs and lawyers and stop silencing them by means of administrative and judicial action. Ahead of elections, the pressure on these important actors in a democratic society has...

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World Press Freedom Day

States should honor the importance of free press by ensuring journalists can do their job freely and safely

03/05/2023 New York

"Attacks and threats against journalists have risen at an alarming rate. This is dangerous both for journalists and for democracy. There is an urgent need for member states to close the gap between standards and reality," said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović, after...

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Annual report 2022

Annual Report 2022: Commissioner Mijatović calls for renewed commitment to human rights protection to address numerous systemic problems

24/04/2023 Strasbourg

“The protection of human rights in Europe has suffered serious setbacks in 2022,” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, presenting her Annual Report today. “A renewed commitment to human rights is needed to reverse the trend.” The report largely focuses on the...

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Statement

Demonstrations in France: freedoms of expression and assembly must be protected against all forms of violence

24/03/2023 Strasbourg

"In the context of the social movement against the pension reform in France, the freedoms of expression and assembly are being exercised under worrying conditions," the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, said today. "It is the responsibility of the authorities to...

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Country visit

Serbia: more efforts needed to face the past, increase safety of journalists and human rights defenders, and protect women from violence

17/03/2023 Belgrade

“It is high time for Serbia to face the legacy of the past, to protect media freedom and freedom of assembly, and to fulfil its commitments on women’s rights and gender equality” said today Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of a visit to the country...

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Letter

Commissioner urges the Georgian Parliament to reject the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence”

28/02/2023 Strasbourg

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia published today, Commissioner Mijatović expresses concerns that the adoption of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” may have a serious chilling effect on the work of civil society organisations in Georgia. “Such a...

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Human Rights Comment

Highly intrusive spyware threatens the essence of human rights

27/01/2023 Strasbourg

Over 18 months have passed since an international coalition of brave investigative journalists released the Pegasus Project. The disclosure of the leak of over 50,000 phone numbers, including those of many human rights defenders, journalists, academics, and opposition leaders, that had been...

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