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Memorandum
Türkiye: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for reforms to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and judicial independence
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released a memorandum today addressing freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and aspects of the administration of justice in Türkiye, following his visit to the country in December 2025. Ensuring freedom of...
Country visit
Serbia: Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights observes deteriorating human rights situation
Following his visit to Serbia from 18-21 May 2026, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued the following end-of-visit statement, which should be considered in conjunction with his previous interventions: The Commissioner’s visit to Serbia focused on issues...
Country visit
Georgia: Commissioner O’Flaherty calls for law enforcement accountability, repeal of restrictive ‘foreign influence’ laws and sustained support for the human rights of internally displaced persons
Following his visit to Georgia from 14 to 15 April 2026, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued the following end-of-visit statement, which should be considered in conjunction with his previous interventions: The Commissioner’s visit to Georgia focused on...
Memorandum
Germany: Commissioner calls for protection of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
Commissioner O’Flaherty released a memorandum today addressing freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as efforts to combat racism and discrimination, with a focus on antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred. This follows his visit to Germany in October 2025. While acknowledging the...
Statement
Hungary: crackdowns on peaceful assembly must be reversed
I am concerned about the prosecution of Géza Buzás-Hábel, a young teacher and community activist now facing criminal charges and the possibility of imprisonment for organising Pécs Pride in October 2025. His wrongdoing was organising a peaceful march for human rights and equality, and the...
Statement
Georgian Parliament should reject amendments stifling civil society
“I am concerned by the proposed amendments to seven different laws, which if adopted, would impose significant restrictions on civil society organisations. These proposals are inconsistent with Georgia’s obligations under international law to guarantee the right to freedom of association. I ask...
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...
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...
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,...
Letters
United Kingdom: Commissioner addresses human rights issues in policing of protests and the situation of trans people
Today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published two letters on the United Kingdom. These letters, which expand on his initial observations following a recent visit, address the policing of protests and the situation of trans people. Policing of protests...
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...
Statement
Montenegro: Parliament should not adopt legislative amendments that excessively restrict freedom of peaceful assembly
“I am concerned about the draft amendments to the Law on Public Gatherings and Public Events currently under consideration by parliament in Montenegro. These proposals are incompatible with international human rights standards, in particular Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights...
Country visit
United Kingdom: tackling poverty is crucial to protect children’s human rights; a number of other areas also call for attention
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to the United Kingdom from 30 June to 4 July 2025, during which he focused primarily on child poverty. He also addressed certain other human rights issues, including the management of irregular migration,...
Statement
Commissioner is concerned about intrusive inquiries into NGOs that are at odds with Georgia’s human rights commitments
“I am following with concern recent developments in Georgia, which represent a significant escalation in the pressure being applied to civil society” said Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Two weeks ago, at least eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs)...
Letter
The Commissioner asks the German authorities to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the context of the conflict in Gaza
In a letter addressed to the Federal Minister of the Interior of Germany published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty raises concerns about restrictions to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly of persons protesting in the context of the conflict in Gaza, as well as about reports of...
Statement
Serbia: authorities should ensure safety of demonstrators and improve working environment for civil society and human rights defenders
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a mission to Serbia from 25 to 27 April 2025, focusing on policing of demonstrations and on the working environment for civil society and human rights defenders. The mission was carried out in the context of the...
Letter
Hungary should reconsider the law on assemblies and refrain from adopting legislative proposals which threaten the human rights of LGBTI people
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks members of Parliament to reconsider the amendment to the Law on the right to assembly, which effectively bans events like Pride marches. He also urges them to refrain from adopting pending...
Memorandum
Commissioner for Human Rights Calls for Stronger Protection of Human Rights in Georgia
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on the human rights situation in Georgia, outlining his concerns and recommendations regarding the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, the protection of civil society, and...
Statement
Turkish authorities should uphold the right to freedom of assembly and expression in the context of ongoing protests
“I am following with concern the reports about disproportionate use of force by the police and widespread restrictions of the right to receive and impart information in Türkiye in the context of the protests of the last days. These have followed the arrest and detention of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem...
Country visit
Georgia: Protect freedom of assembly and expression, ensure accountability for human rights violations and end stigmatisation of NGOs and LGBTI people
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, visited Georgia from 21 to 23 January 2025. He expresses his gratitude to the Georgian authorities for their cooperation and for the open discussions. During the visit he engaged extensively with authorities and civil...
Letter
Azerbaijan: concerns about the disproportionate use of force by police during environmental protests and restrictions to the work of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Vilayat Eyvazov, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, raises concerns about the recent dispersal of environmental protests and the arrests of participants in the Soyudlu...
Country visit report
Spain: address housing and health inequalities, safeguard freedoms of expression and assembly and provide safe and legal access to the territory for people seeking asylum
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović published today the report on her visit to Spain carried out in November 2022, with recommendations on social rights, in particular the right to housing and the right to health, the freedoms of expression and assembly and the human...
Statement
The Turkish authorities must protect democratic freedoms
The Turkish authorities should put an end to the hostile environment affecting human rights defenders, journalists, NGOs and lawyers and stop silencing them by means of administrative and judicial action. Ahead of elections, the pressure on these important actors in a democratic society has...
Annual report 2022
Annual Report 2022: Commissioner Mijatović calls for renewed commitment to human rights protection to address numerous systemic problems
“The protection of human rights in Europe has suffered serious setbacks in 2022,” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, presenting her Annual Report today. “A renewed commitment to human rights is needed to reverse the trend.” The report largely focuses on the...
Statement
Demonstrations in France: freedoms of expression and assembly must be protected against all forms of violence
"In the context of the social movement against the pension reform in France, the freedoms of expression and assembly are being exercised under worrying conditions," the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, said today. "It is the responsibility of the authorities to...
Letter
Commissioner urges the Georgian Parliament to reject the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence”
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia published today, Commissioner Mijatović expresses concerns that the adoption of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” may have a serious chilling effect on the work of civil society organisations in Georgia. “Such a...
Country visit report
United Kingdom: Commissioner warns against regression on human rights, calls for concrete steps to protect children’s rights and to tackle human rights issues in Northern Ireland
“Both the overall system for protecting human rights, and the rights of specific groups, are currently under pressure in the United Kingdom (UK). The authorities should spare no effort to reverse this trend”, warns today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, while...
Country visit
Spain should advance social rights, better guarantee freedoms of expression and assembly and improve human rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
“Spain has made significant efforts to advance the protection of social rights in recent years. Crucial legislative reforms, currently pending in Parliament, provide an opportunity to align Spanish legislation with international and European human rights standards, including in the field of the...
Human Rights Comment
Crackdowns on peaceful environmental protests should stop and give way to more social dialogue
Environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss are among the most urgent existential threats to humankind and to human rights. In response, many people in Europe and beyond have seen fit to take to the streets and to try new, often disruptive, forms of peaceful protest to demand...
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