Documenti con tag .
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...
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...
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...
Observations
Council of Europe Commissioner alerts to human rights risks in upcoming EU Returns Regulation
As the European Union moves toward adopting a new Regulation on the return of third-country nationals staying irregularly in the EU, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, says that the proposed framework risks undermining the human rights of migrants and asylum...
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...
Speech
Neither innovative nor smart: externalisation as a migration policy path of human rights risk
Introductory remarks on Externalised asylum and migration policies at European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) event in Brussels (Belgium) on the 24 February 2026 Chairperson, Honourable Members, Thank you for the invitation to engage with you today. Migration is a phenomenon as...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Efficiency through dignity: why Europe’s return policies need human rights
For far too long, the conversation around migration in Europe has been framed as a zero-sum game. We are told we must choose between a system that is “tough” and one that respects human rights. In recent years, I have watched this false choice take centre stage in the political discourse, with...
Commissioner's Shout out
Refute the critics: human rights are Europe’s greatest strategic asset
Europe’s commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law is not a weakness. It is our greatest strategic strength. Yet, tectonic geopolitical shifts are challenging this reality. Increasingly, nations are retreating into narrow self-interest, discarding international law. Russia’s...
Speech
Migration: facts and law; securing the European human rights system – Commissioner O’Flaherty to Justice Ministers
Transcript of the speech delivered at the Informal Conference of Ministers of Justice at the Council of Europe. President, Ministers, Excellencies. You are embarked on an extremely consequential pathway in terms of the well-being of Europe’s human rights protection system. In doing so, I would...
Speech
Exchange with the Committee of Ministers: human-centred pathways to peace in Ukraine, AI oversight and defending the ECHR
The Commissioner held an exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers on Tuesday 18 November. Below is the published version of his introductory remarks: Thank you very much, Madam President, and my warm congratulations and best wishes to you as you take up the presidency. I walked past the...
Country visit
Human Rights Commissioner O’Flaherty’s visit to Germany: focus on migration, freedoms of assembly and expression, antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Germany from 13 – 17 October 2025, during which he focused on issues related to migration and asylum and on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in the context of protests in relation to Gaza. He...
Speech
Externalised migration policies, Roma and Travellers and pressure on civil society discussed with the Committee of Ministers
The Commissioner held an exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers on Wednesday 3 September. Below is the published version of his introductory remarks: Dear President, dear ambassadors, It is a great pleasure to be back with you. I look forward to meeting those of you who are new to your...
Report
Commissioner calls on European states to refrain from actions in externalised migration policies that may lead to human rights violations
“External co-operation on asylum and migration needs to be designed and implemented with great care, so as not to put human rights at risk. Governments developing externalisation policies in this field should carefully assess their potential negative impact on human rights, as such policies can...
Statement
The Commissioner urges the Greek parliament to refrain from suspending the registration of asylum applications
“I urge members of the Greek parliament to reject an amendment providing for the suspension of the registration of asylum applications by persons arriving by boat from North Africa, as well as for their forcible return, without registration, to their country of origin or provenance,” today said...
Commissioner's Shout out
Attacks on the Human Rights of migrants put all our rights at risk
Recent days have witnessed horrific scenes in the small town of Ballymena in Northern Ireland. There, night after night, rioting thugs have tyrannised men, women and children simply because they come from somewhere else. The shocking scenes remind me of the recent repeated arson attacks on...
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
Poland: Proposed amendments to asylum law should be rejected to ensure human rights observance at the border with Belarus
In a letter to the Marshal of the Polish Senate, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks the Senate to refrain from adopting the draft law amending the Act on Granting Protection to Foreigners in Poland because it raises concerns as to its compatibility with human rights standards. “The proposed amendments...
Third party intervention
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three hearings concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus
The Commissioner intervened yesterday in three hearings before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of R.A. and Others v. Poland, H.M.M. and Others v. Latvia, and C.O.C.G. and Others v. Lithuania, in which he encouraged the Court to use the opportunities of these...
Third party intervention
Oral intervention before the Grand Chamber in the case of C.O.C.G. and Others v. Lithuania
Mr President, Distinguished members of the Court, Today’s cases are of particular importance to me as they will have significant implications for the protection of the rights of individuals as well as for the system of human rights protection more broadly. Summary returns are widespread and...
Third party intervention
Oral intervention before the Grand Chamber in the case of H.M.M. and Others v. Latvia
Mr President, Distinguished members of the Court, Today’s cases are of particular importance for me as they will have significant implications for the protection of the rights of individuals as well as for the system of human rights protection more broadly. Summary returns are widespread and...
Third party intervention
Oral intervention before the Grand Chamber in the case of R.A. and Others v. Poland
Mr President, Distinguished members of the Court, Today’s cases are of particular importance for me as they will have significant implications for the protection of the rights of individuals as well as for the system of human rights protection more broadly. Summary returns are widespread and...
Country visit
Greece: the Commissioner calls for accountability for human rights violations committed at the borders and intensified efforts to honour the human rights of Roma
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit Greece from 3 to 7 February 2025, during which he focussed on the protection of human rights in the context of border control operations and on the human rights of Roma. He expresses his gratitude to the...
Statement
As Syria shifts, Council of Europe member states must avoid hasty returns of refugees
“In the wake of the developments in Syria and the fall of the Assad regime, several Council of Europe member states have suspended the processing of asylum claims of Syrians and announced plans to forcibly return Syrians currently under their protection. These developments raise urgent questions...
Speech
Exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers
Ambassadors, good morning. By now you will have seen my report covering the period 1 April to 31 August. You will observe that I have built it around my four priority work areas, and it addresses my engagement with states in the form of visits and otherwise, as well as my thematic focus of...
Letter
Cyprus: Commissioner O’Flaherty expresses concern about the situation of migrant and asylum-seeking people stranded in the buffer zone and allegations of summary returns at sea
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a letter sent on 23 October to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides. The Commissioner highlighted the situation of some 35 individuals who have been stranded in the buffer zone...
Third party intervention
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three cases concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus
Commissioner O’Flaherty has published today his written comments to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of C.O.C.G. and Others v. Lithuania, H.M.M. and Others v. Latvia, and R.A. and Others v. Poland.* The cases relate to the alleged summary returns of asylum...
Country visit
Ireland: the situation of Travellers, Roma and asylum seekers requires more attention
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, encourages further steps in Ireland in the field of combating racism and discrimination and addressing prejudice against Travellers, Roma and migrants. He welcomes the progress made in policy development, stressing the need...
Speech
Human rights and migration: 5 key elements
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered at the Joint debate of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on “Missing migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers – A call to clarify their fate”and “A shared European approach to address migrant...
Speech
Speech at the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered at the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. (A shorter version of this speech was delivered at the joint debate on “Missing migrants,...
Country visit
Finland should strengthen the protection of Roma and migrants
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has called on Finland to continue to honour its strong track record of promoting and defending human rights, following a visit to the country from 23 to 26 September, which focused on the situation of Roma and issues related...