Country visit
Human Rights Commissioner O’Flaherty calls for stronger support to Ukraine
From 23 to 25 April 2024, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty carried out a visit to Ukraine (Kyiv). This was his first visit to a member state since taking up his post on 1 April. With the current human rights landscape in Europe being dominated by Russia’s war...
Statement
Serious human rights concerns about United Kingdom’s Rwanda Bill
“The adoption of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill by the UK Parliament raises major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law more generally”, said Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. “The United Kingdom government...
Letter
Georgia: concerns about the compatibility of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” with the rights to freedom of association and expression
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty expresses concerns about the compatibility of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” with the human rights standards in the field of freedom of association and expression, and...
Speech
Commissioner pledges to prioritise the defence of civil society
Speech delivered at the exchange of views with the Council of Europe's Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO): “Dear friends, Thank you for inviting me to this exchange of views with the Council of Europe’s Conference of International non-Governmental Organisations....
Statement
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,...
Statement
The protection of the human rights of Roma and Travellers must become a top priority in our member states
“The discrimination experienced by Roma and Travellers in Europe and the scale of human rights violations that they face is shocking and calls for firm action”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty today ahead of International Roma Day on 8 April. “There...
Statement
Michael O'Flaherty takes up office as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
The Council of Europe's new Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, begins his six-year mandate today with a pledge to put human rights at the heart of member states’ agendas. "I intend to inject a human rights perspective into the greatest challenges facing our societies," said...
Statement
Dunja Mijatović ends her term as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
“At the end of my term as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, I am both grateful and reflective. Over the past six years, I have witnessed the extraordinary commitment to human rights displayed by partners of my Office, and by ordinary citizens in the face of an ever-changing...
Statement
Georgia: political manipulation and harassment of LGBTI people and human rights defenders have no place in a democratic society
“I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of...
Speech
Commissioner addresses the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Speech at the 46th Session of the Congress of the Council of Europe Dear Mr President, distinguished members of the Congress, I am grateful for the opportunity to address this assembly today. As my mandate comes to an end in the coming days, this moment offers a valued space to reflect with you...
Statement
Azerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists and civil society activists
“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...
Country visit
Montenegro: Seize the moment to strengthen protection of human rights
“Montenegro should take advantage of the opportunities offered by the prospects of further European integration to enhance its legal framework governing human rights and to ensure its full implementation”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, following her...
Rule 9
Romania should implement the Strasbourg Court’s judgments regarding rights of persons with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions
The Commissioner published today two communications to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights relating to the protection of the rights of people with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions in...
Country visit report
Germany: Follow through with human rights commitments and improve access to social rights
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Germany from 27 November to 1 December 2023, with recommendations regarding the available structures and legal frameworks to protect human rights, and on access to social rights, in...
Issue Paper
Human rights of trans people: increased visibility and legal recognition contrast with lived experience of discrimination, violence
“Realising the rights of trans people is a matter of applying human rights equally to everyone, and states have the primary responsibility to lift the barriers trans people are facing in exercising their human rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja...
Statement
AI instrument of the Council of Europe should be firmly based on human rights
“I have closely followed negotiations at the level of the Council of Europe Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI). As they reach their final stage, I reiterate my position that the legally binding instrument on AI and human rights should contain unambiguous obligations for states parties to...
Statement
Full realisation of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights – an imperative for empowerment and gender equality
“Unimpeded access to quality sexual and reproductive health care is essential for women’s rights and gender equality’’, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, on International Women’s Day. “In my recent report on sexual and reproductive health and rights,...
Country memorandum
Türkiye: reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society
“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,...
Report
Sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe: a mixed picture of progress and challenges calls for robust action and commitment
“Charting the progress made towards the full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe paints a mixed picture. We can rejoice at notable achievements, but pervasive challenges and deficits as well as new retrogressive developments point to the need for member states to take...
Statement
Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, 2 years on: our common struggle in defence of Ukrainian people’s human rights
Tomorrow marks two years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and two years of immense suffering for the Ukrainian people. The war rages on, and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continue to be committed. Each new...