Issue Paper
Human rights of trans people: increased visibility and legal recognition contrast with lived experience of discrimination, violence
“Realising the rights of trans people is a matter of applying human rights equally to everyone, and states have the primary responsibility to lift the barriers trans people are facing in exercising their human rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja...
Statement
AI instrument of the Council of Europe should be firmly based on human rights
“I have closely followed negotiations at the level of the Council of Europe Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI). As they reach their final stage, I reiterate my position that the legally binding instrument on AI and human rights should contain unambiguous obligations for states parties to...
Statement
Full realisation of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights – an imperative for empowerment and gender equality
“Unimpeded access to quality sexual and reproductive health care is essential for women’s rights and gender equality’’, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, on International Women’s Day. “In my recent report on sexual and reproductive health and rights,...
Country memorandum
Türkiye: reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society
“Freedom of expression is in peril in Türkiye, with journalists, human rights defenders and civil society operating in a critically hostile environment, marked by systematic pressure and legal action against them”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović,...
Report
Sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe: a mixed picture of progress and challenges calls for robust action and commitment
“Charting the progress made towards the full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe paints a mixed picture. We can rejoice at notable achievements, but pervasive challenges and deficits as well as new retrogressive developments point to the need for member states to take...
Statement
Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, 2 years on: our common struggle in defence of Ukrainian people’s human rights
Tomorrow marks two years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, and two years of immense suffering for the Ukrainian people. The war rages on, and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continue to be committed. Each new...
Recommendation
Europe must end repression of human rights defenders assisting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
“Across Europe, individuals and organisations are facing growing harassment, intimidation, violence and criminalisation simply for contributing to the protection of the human rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. European states must stop this repression”, said today the Council of...
Letters
Commissioner highlights key steps to better respect the rights of victims and deal with the past in the region of the former Yugoslavia
In her letters to the Prime Ministers of the Council of Europe member states in the region of the former Yugoslavia, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends specific steps to be taken to deal with the violent past and move more resolutely toward social...
Statement
Joint commemoration and remembrance of the victims of past genocides brings light into the darkness
“The joint Muslim-Jewish observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a beacon of hope at a time when divisions often seem insurmountable. This commitment to fostering partnerships and meaningful dialogue is a powerful testament to the strength that lies in unity”, said the Council of...
Statement
Holocaust Remembrance Day: Let us heed the warning signs of hatred, intolerance and violence before it is too late
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, released the following statement ahead of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust: “Learning about and acknowledging our history is a painful process but also the precondition for...
Annual activity report
Annual Report 2023: Commissioner Mijatović calls for determined and collective efforts to regain lost ground and advance human rights
“The intensification of challenges to the protection of human rights cannot be an excuse for giving up. Rather, the moment calls for a renewed commitment to the principles and standards for which our Organisation stands”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja...
Speech
Presentation of the 2023 Annual Activity Report of the Commissioner for Human Rights to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Dear Mr. President, esteemed members of PACE, As I stand before you today to present my final annual report as Commissioner for Human Rights, I feel a profound sense of honour and responsibility. It has been, and it is still, a privilege to serve at the helm of this Institution, championing the...
Observations
Armenia and Azerbaijan: effective human rights protection of all persons affected by the conflict over the Karabakh region is key to the success of the peace process
“Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities should ensure focus on human rights protection in their peace talks and establish strong human rights safeguards for all persons affected by the conflict”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, as she published her...
Speech
Reconquering Lost Ground: A Reflection on 75 Years of the UDHR in Europe
Speech (delivered online) at the Conference organised by the Université Paris Nanterre to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Excellencies, Dear participants, It is a great honour for me to be...
Country visit report
Italy should improve legislation and practice on migration and asylum, women’s rights and gender equality
In a report published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends adopting a number of measures to better uphold the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and women. The Commissioner also raises certain issues concerning journalists and the legal...
Letter
Finland: Concern over right to seek asylum and need for human rights safeguards after full closure of Eastern land border
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior of Finland, Mari Rantanen, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, raises concerns about the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants following the temporary closure of Finland’s Eastern land...
Speech
Let us keep doing our utmost to bring all Ukrainian children back home
Speech (delivered via video message) by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović for the Conference “Joint Steps to Bring Kids Back UA”, organised by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Kyiv on 8 December 2023 Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,...
Speech
The resilience of the Ukrainian people stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of freedom
Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović (delivered via video message) for the International conference "Freedom or Fear" dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organised by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for...
Statement
Russia: decision to label the ‘international LGBTI movement’ as extremist is a grave attack against LGBTI people and human rights defenders
“The Russian Supreme Court’s labeling of the 'international LGBTI movement' as extremist is a grave attack on LGBTI people and those who defend their human rights”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic. “This stance goes against the fundamental principle...
Speech
Europe 75 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A journey of progress, setbacks and persistence
Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, at the event organised by the German Institute for Human Rights (Deutsches Institute für Menschenrechte) and Evangelical Academy of Berlin (Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin) to mark the 75th Anniversary of the...
Statement
Andorra: guarantee the right to freedom of expression for women’s rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés and ensure an enabling environment for women’s rights defenders
“The criminal proceedings against women rights defender Vanessa Mendoza Cortés undermine her freedom of expression and have a chilling effect on the work of human rights defenders, as well as on others who stand up for the rights of women and girls in Andorra” said Council of Europe Commissioner...
Statement
Hungary: The proposal for a “defence of national sovereignty” package should be abandoned
“The proposal to establish an ‘Office for the Defence of Sovereignty’ in Hungary, that would be vested with broad powers to investigate any organisation or person suspected of serving foreign interests or threatening national sovereignty, poses a significant risk to human rights and should be...
Issue Paper
Dealing with the Past for a Better Future - Resolute efforts on dealing with the violent past are required in the region of the former Yugoslavia
“The failure to fully deal with wartime atrocities and the root causes of conflicts in the 1990s continues to have devastating consequences on respect for human rights, the rule of law and social cohesion in the region”, said today Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human...
Country visit report
Denmark: refocus on protection and integration in asylum policy and step up measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report on her visit to Denmark in May-June 2023, with recommendations on the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and the rights of persons with disabilities. There have been several positive...
Statement
Anna Politkovskaya: the pardon is an insult to justice. It should not stop the fight for truth
“The pardon by the Russian authorities of one of the men convicted in the murder of Anna Politkovskaya is an insult to justice, compounded by the fact that the masterminds behind this horrific crime were never revealed nor convicted,” said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human...
Rule 9
Georgian authorities should address the underlying reasons behind the discrimination and intolerance towards LGBTI people, and religious and other minority groups
The Commissioner published today her submission to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of the Identoba and Others group of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. This group of judgments relates to discrimination and manifestations of intolerance...
Speech
A paradigm shift is needed towards a human-rights approach to mental health care
Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović at Riga Conference on promoting autonomy in mental healthcare (delivered via video) Excellencies, distinguished participants, Dear organisers, dear colleagues, Thank you for your invitation to this important event. I...
Human Rights Comment
Protecting the human rights of sex workers
The lived realities of sex workers across Europe raise serious human rights concerns. It is crucial to approach this important and complex issue with a full understanding of the human rights consequences of the experience of high levels of violence and inadequate protection from law enforcement...
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