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
Daniel O'Connell's legacy as we confront a new era for human rights
Commemorative symposium for the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell: “Finding the heart of his global legacy in the 21st Century.” Edited transcript of the keynote speech delivered by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty: “Daniel O'Connell's legacy as we confront...
Letter
Commissioner calls for effective investigations into alleged police violence during 2024 protests in Georgia
In a letter published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expressed concerns to Georgia’s Prosecutor General about the lack of tangible progress in investigations into alleged disproportionate use of force by law enforcement against protesters and...
Speech
AI: protecting human rights through smart oversight
Transcript of the keynote address delivered by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty at the Parliamentary Conference on Artificial Intelligence, organised by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the parliament of the United Kingdom House of...
Report
Commissioner calls for a shift from a transactional to a "people-centred" approach to peace-making in Ukraine
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has released his report following a high-level, closed-door meeting in Warsaw on 13 –14 November 2025. The report asserts that human rights must underpin all peace-making efforts for Ukraine, shifting the focus from...
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...
Country visit
Türkiye: Authorities should ensure the implementation of human rights standards on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Türkiye from 1-5 December 2025, during which he discussed the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and aspects of the administration of justice. The Commissioner expresses his...
Speech
Member states should protect and strengthen NHRIs and Ombudsperson institutions
Transcript of Michael O'Flaherty's speech delivered on the occasion of the Workshop on Ombudsperson Institutions and National Human Rights Institutions: Implementation of Committee of Ministers Recommendations and Other International Standards at the 103rd meeting of Steering Committee for Human...
Statement
Peace for Ukraine must be anchored in human rights
"While it is encouraging to see diplomatic efforts intensify around the world to lay foundations for peace in Ukraine, particularly following the recent plan presented by the US President, I reiterate a critical message: a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace can only be achieved if it is...
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...
Speech
The European human rights architecture: a roadmap for navigating volatile times
Transcript of the keynote address by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty at 16th Warsaw Human Rights Seminar "Human Rights and the Legal and Geopolitical Contexts of Migration and Asylum". Deputy Prime Minister, Minister, Your Excellencies, dear friends, Back in...
Statement
Warsaw meeting: Council of Europe Commissioner and experts chart human-rights centred pathways to peace and recovery in Ukraine
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights concluded a two-day high-level meeting in Warsaw today. The closed-door meeting focused on embedding human rights and dignity at the very heart of pathways to a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine. The Commissioner convened senior experts...
Statement
Commissioner O’Flaherty participates in the World Forum for Democracy and opens the El Holocausto exhibition
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, will take part in the World Forum for Democracy on 5 November 2025 to discuss how democracies can rekindle citizen engagement. As democracies face disengagement and the erosion of core freedoms, the discussion will explore...
Speech
The Essential Role of Human Rights to Build a Better Future
Lecture delivered at Law school, Galway University, Ireland President of the University, Friends, Some 25 years ago, while travelling with Mary Robinson, the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, I asked her what she considered was the greatest catalyst for Ireland's social development. She...
Speech
Hope as a duty: standing up against the storm - Commissioner O’Flaherty at ILGA-Europe 2025
Transcript of Michael O'Flaherty's speech at the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania. Good morning, it is a very great pleasure for me to be here with you. Thank you for the welcome and the introduction. Thank you for the amazing sessions we have been participating in already this...
Letter
Commissioner asks Bulgarian lawmakers to reject amendments that would undermine the human rights of LGBTI people
In a letter to the President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks Bulgarian lawmakers to refrain from adopting proposed amendments to the Child Protection Act and other laws, expressing concern about their compatibility with Council of Europe and...
Speech
AI in policing: risks, duties and partnerships
Transcript of Michael Oflaherty’s keynote speech delivered at the 15th Europol Data Protection Experts Network (EDEN) conference “Data Protection & Cybersecurity in Law Enforcement”. Deputy Executive Director, Commissioner Gafà, dear Colleagues and Friends, As you heard, it is my second EDEN. I...
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...
Third party intervention
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in ECtHR case on Georgia’s ‘Foreign influence’ law
Commissioner O’Flaherty published today his written observations in the case of Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and Others v. Georgia, currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights. The case, lodged by 120 civil society organisations, 16 media outlets and four individuals,...
Report
The human line: safeguarding rights and democracy in the AI era
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has issued his Chair’s Notes following a consultation with experts on AI and human rights. The report provides a new governance roadmap and warns that a lack of human-centric design poses a high risk to democracies and human rights. The...