Country visit report
Austria: improve reception and integration of migrants and protection of women’s rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Austria carried out in December 2021, with recommendations on improving the reception and integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and on strengthening women’s...
Opinion: European treaty against women's violence 'saves lives'
DW, 11/05/2021 A decade on, the Istanbul Convention has become more important than ever as a tool to protect women’s lives in Europe, says Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe’s High Commissioner for Human Rights. On May 11, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence...
Country Memorandum
Portugal should act more resolutely to tackle racism and continue efforts to combat violence against women
In a memorandum published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, called on the authorities of Portugal to address more resolutely the increasing level of racism in the country, as well as to take additional steps to prevent and combat violence against women...
Stop the rain on human rights
Euractiv, 10/12/2020 The current pandemic crisis serves as a magnifying glass of all existing inequalities in Europe – racism, gender and sexual discrimination, treatment of migrants: there is still a long way to go to ensure full and real equality in Europe, write Helena Dalli and Dunja...
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...
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...
Country visit report
Romania should improve the implementation of laws and ensure funding to effectively protect the rights of persons with disabilities and protect women from violence
“There are systemic obstacles which seriously hinder the effective protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Romania”, said today Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, publishing the report on her visit to the country in November 2018. The report focuses...
Country visit report
Report on Armenia recommends measures to improve women’s rights, protection of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, and establishing accountability for past human rights violations
Today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published the report of her visit to Armenia carried out in September 2018. The report focuses on women’s rights, gender equality and domestic violence; the human rights of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups; and...
Country visit report
Estonia should adopt more human rights oriented policies to improve the protection of women and the inclusion of older persons
“To build a more cohesive society, the Estonian authorities should strengthen the protection of women from violence, close the gender pay gap and uphold the rights of older people”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, while releasing today the report on her...
Need to reform abortion law in Malta
Times of Malta, 26/02/2018 When I visited Malta last November, I noted how the very restrictive legislation on abortion jeopardised women’s rights. I was also particularly struck by the lack of an open debate about this issue. It is, therefore, encouraging that some voices are now starting to...
Opinion article
The Istanbul Convention protects women, without hidden purposes
24 Hours, 25 January 2018 For many people, home means a refuge, a place where one can enjoy family life freely and safely, where love is a part of everyday life. But for victims of domestic violence, home means just the opposite. It is a place where torment and violence turn a refuge into a trap,...
Opinion article
Иcтaнбyлcкaта конвенция е cpещy наcилието над жени, няма cкрити цели
24 Часа, 25 January 2018 За много хора думата „дом“ означава убежище, място, където човек може да се радва на семейния живот свободно, в безопасност и където любовта е част от ежедневието. Но за жертвите на домашно насилие „дом“ означава точно обратното. Това се оказва място, в което тормозът и...
Letter
Commissioner calls on the Bulgarian Parliament to ratify the Istanbul Convention
In a letter addressed to the President of the Parliament of Bulgaria published today, Commissioner Muižnieks urged Bulgaria to move quickly forward on its path towards the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence...
Country visit report
Lithuania should strengthen the protection of women and children against violence and build a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities
“While considerable progress has been achieved in protecting human rights in recent years, the Lithuanian authorities still have to address some remaining shortcomings, in particular as regards the protection of women, children and persons with disabilities” said Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe...
Memorandum
Justice, social cohesion and media freedom remain top challenges in Kosovo*
“Eighteen years after the end of the conflict, thousands of people are still denied justice in Kosovo. It is high time to change course and build a just and cohesive society. Major conditions for achieving this are to prosecute and effectively sanction all persons involved in wartime crimes,...
Country visit report
Ireland should remove obstacles to the equality of Travellers, women and children
“The Irish government should ensure that the economic upturn benefits the most vulnerable groups and should promote equality of Travellers, women and children by removing the barriers that disproportionately hinder them from fully enjoying their rights”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner...
The duty to combat domestic violence
Kommersant, 06/02/2017 For many people, home means a refuge, a place where we feel safe and free. A place where our private life is sacred and where the state has no right to pry. But for victims of domestic violence, home means just the opposite: a source of stress and torment. The state has a...
«В обществе должен произойти культурный сдвиг: нельзя поощрять и оправдывать насилие»
Коммерсантъ, 06/02/2017 Закон, отменяющий уголовную ответственность за семейное насилие, ожидает подписи президента РФ. О том, какие меры должны принять российские власти для борьбы с проблемой насилия в семье,— в статье комиссара Совета Европы по правам человека НИЛСА МУЙЖНИЕКСА, написанной...
Country visit report
Latvia urged to ensure gender equality and foster an inclusive society
“Latvia has achieved considerable progress in adopting legislation and policies which comply with human rights standards, but the authorities must engage in more sustained efforts to bridge the remaining gaps, in particular those which still hinder gender equality and more effective protection...
Country visit report
Erosion of rule of law threatens human rights protection in Poland
“Recent far-reaching changes to Poland’s legal and institutional framework threaten human rights and undermine the rule of law, on which the protection of human rights ultimately depends. Lawmakers and the Government should urgently change course”, said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe...