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Honoring the past, shaping the present: the vital role of remembrance for Roma and Travellers
Thank you. It is a great pleasure to be here. I would like to greet everyone. I am very honoured that we are meeting in the presence of Mr Pfeil; it is a privilege for us all. I wish to echo what has already been said regarding the work of the Parliamentary Assembly in this area. I greatly...
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...
Speech
Political leadership, adequate resources: implementing a human rights approach for Europe’s Roma and Travellers
Speech delivered online at the EU Roma Week – EU MFF Event: “Roma Equality and Social Investment in the Next EU Budget, organised by the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network). Good morning. It's a great pleasure. Apologies for not being with you physically. This is the...
Statement
International Roma Day 2026: Honouring narratives reclaimed with pride
Ahead of International Roma Day, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, issued the following statement: On International Roma Day, and every day, I stand in solidarity with Roma and Travellers across Europe. I pay tribute to their rich cultures and their...
Speech
Inauguration of the exhibition “The Unheard 12 million” during the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Speech of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty delivered the following opening remarks at the presentation of the book and inauguration of the exhibition “The Unheard 12 million” at the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council. In cooperation with OHCHR and the Permanent...
Speech
Holocaust Remembrance Day: paths of memory and action - preserving the past, protecting the future
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, "Paths of Memory and Action: Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future", delivered at the event dedicated to the remembrance of the Holocaust and the prevention of crimes against humanity organised by Regards d’enfants in partnership with the Municipality of Rothau...
Book
The Unheard 12 Million – Council of Europe Commissioner issues urgent wake-up call to act for Roma and Traveller rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, launched today the new book and accompanying photo exhibition, "The Unheard 12 Million". This groundbreaking, first-person account is an eye-opener and an urgent call for European decision makers and all of us to act...
Speech
Human rights situation of Roma and Travellers in Europe: we must listen to and work with them
Transcript of the speech delivered by Michael O'Flaherty at the exchange of views with PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Good morning everybody. Thank you for giving me the time. I am very glad to be back with you again, something like a year and a half later. When I first met...
Statement
European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day: investing in memorialisation and supporting communities are crucial to building more inclusive societies
On 2 August, on the occasion of European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued the following statement emphasising the importance of memorialisation initiatives and supporting the communities in telling their history: “Today...
Memorandum
North Macedonia should bridge the gap between commitments and reality on human rights of Roma and environmental protection
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published a memorandum today on the human rights of Roma and the human rights implications of serious environmental challenges in North Macedonia, following his visit from 22 to 25 April 2025. Regarding the human rights of...
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...
Speech
Roma Resistance Day: Commissioner honours the work of Roma Rights Defenders and calls for unity in standing up for human rights and combating racism to sustain their efforts
On the occasion of Roma Resistance Day, 16 May, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, delivered the following video message at the Roma Rights Network meeting, organised in Vienna on 15 and 16 May 2025: Hello, thank you very much for inviting me to join with you...
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...
Statement
North Macedonia: maintain commitment to human rights of Roma and take urgent action for a healthy environment for all
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to North Macedonia from 22 to 25 April 2025, during which he focused on the human rights of Roma, as part of a multi-country review of their situation in Europe, and on the human rights implications of...
Speech
Commissioner acclaims the leadership of Roma and Traveller youth and women and calls for joining hands for a better future
The Commissioner participated today in the flower casting ceremony to mark International Roma Day in Strasbourg. Here is the published version of his remarks made during the ceremony: “Deputy Mayor, PACE General Rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance Verducci, Excellencies, dear friends....
Memorandum
Commissioner O’Flaherty recommends stronger action to uphold the human rights of Roma and Travellers in Finland, Ireland, and Slovakia
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, released today three Memoranda examining the human rights situation of Roma and Traveller[1] communities in Finland, Ireland and Slovakia. Each Memorandum presents country-specific findings and recommendations based on the...
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...
Speech
Commissioner’s video message to the National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy
Video message delivered to the ‘National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy. Valuing Diversity’, organised by the NGO Voice of Romni, Kyiv, 30 January 2025: Dear friends, thank you so much for inviting me to participate in this conference. I'm sorry that I cannot be with you in...
Letters
Czech Republic: the authorities should extend the law on compensation for victims of forced sterilisations
Commissioner O’Flaherty published today letters to the Prime Minister and to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic. The letters call for the urgent extension of the law on compensation for victims of forced sterilisations conducted between...
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...
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...
Speech
Commissioner’s video message to the Berlin Process Ministerial meeting on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process
Video message delivered to the Ministerial meeting on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process, organised in the context of the Berlin Process Meetings 2024, Berlin, 18 September 2024: Hello, and thank you so much for inviting me to this important meeting. I apologize that I can only...
Statement
Commissioner O’Flaherty held a consultation meeting on the human rights of Roma and Travellers in the Council of Europe area
On 9 and 10 September in Strasbourg, Commissioner O’Flaherty convened a consultation meeting with experts working on the human rights of Roma and Travellers. The discussions addressed how to best advance the protection of the human rights of Roma and Travellers across Europe. The Commissioner...
Statement
Remembering the Roma Holocaust is also recognising the increasing levels of antigypsyism today
Ahead of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on 2 August, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, delivered the following video message at the international conference “My testimony is for young people - Passing on Memory for the Future of Holocaust...
Country visit
Slovak Republic: urgent need to address human rights of Roma and adopt an intergenerational approach
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, calls for emergency interventions to address the dreadful housing conditions of thousands of Roma, following his visit to the Slovak Republic from 8 to 12 July. The Commissioner engaged extensively with Roma communities to...
End of mission
Commissioner O’Flaherty raises alarm on LGBTI rights, pledges to partner with Roma
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, travelled to Thessaloniki, Greece, on 28 and 29 June to participate in the EuroPride 2024 Human Rights Conference and engage with local Roma communities who live on the outskirts of the city. At the EuroPride Conference...
Speech
Journalism Excellence Awards 2024: the media is a key ally in defending the human rights of Roma
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty on the occasion of the Journalism Excellence Awards Ceremony - “Ethical media reporting on Roma and combating racism and antigypsyism through the media” Good evening, everybody. It is a great pleasure to be here on the occasion of the Journalism Excellence Awards. ...
Speech
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...
Country visit report
Czech Republic: systemic change needed to address long-standing human rights issues for Roma and persons with disabilities
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to the Czech Republic in February 2023, with recommendations mainly focusing on the human rights of Roma and of persons with disabilities. The report also addresses the overall...