War in Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Commissioner has been responding to its human rights consequences by identifying patterns of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, engaging with national authorities and international institutions, addressing the needs of displaced people, and supporting human rights defenders.
Commissioner O'Flaherty calls for putting human rights at the heart of discussions around peace in Ukraine
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on human rights elements for peace in Ukraine, following his visit to the country in March 2025.
While the prospects of peace in Ukraine currently remain uncertain, the Commissioner notes that a just, lasting and effective peace can only be achieved by anchoring it in the international human rights framework. The memorandum promotes the integration of human rights in peace negotiations by combining the perspectives of both human rights advocates and conflict resolution practitioners. To that end, the memorandum sets out the Commissioner’s observations and recommendations regarding elements of a human rights roadmap for achieving just, lasting and effective peace, as well as Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery.
