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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...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Climate action and accountability for survival
Across the world, the sirens of the climate crisis have shifted from distant warnings to devastating realities. We are not only driving our planet to its breaking point, but are also witnessing serious impacts on human rights. We see the evidence every day: lives are lost, health is at risk, and...
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...
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...
Letter
The Commissioner asks the Italian Senate to amend the ‘security bill’ to safeguard human rights
In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate of Italy, published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks members of the Senate to refrain from adopting Bill 1236 on public security, unless it is substantially amended to ensure that it complies with Council of Europe human rights standards....
Oral submission
Hearing of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Others
Oral submission by Dunja Mijatović "Madam President, Distinguished members of the Court, I decided to intervene in this case concerning climate change because of its special importance for the protection of human rights and the environment, a priority of my mandate. There is no doubt that climate...
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
Georgia should ensure effective implementation of the anti-discrimination legislation and improve protection of human rights in the fields of labour and the environment
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Georgia in February 2022, with recommendations on combating discrimination against LGBTI people and those belonging to religious minorities, as well as protecting human rights...
Country visit
Georgia should step up the fight against discrimination and better ensure labour rights and the human right to a healthy environment
“Georgia has taken significant steps to reinforce labour rights including by adopting broad legislation and setting up the labour inspectorate. However, increased efforts and additional measures are required to address the negative impact of a decade of deregulation on occupational safety and...
Speech
Climate change, human rights and environmental defenders – what role for the academia?
"Human Rights and Climate Change", International virtual symposium convened by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Professor Jaspars, Professor Zenner, Dear Dr Boyd -- dear David, Dear Friends, What a pleasure to be with...
Human Rights Comment
Let us make Europe a safe place for environmental human rights defenders
In 2017 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a group of dedicated grassroots environmental activists staged a 500-day-long protest against the construction of new hydropower dams on the Kruščica river. The fight led by local women, who later came to be known as the Brave Women of Kruščica, met with many...
Third party intervention
Commissioner publishes observations on the human rights impact of climate change
Today, the Commissioner published her written observations to the European Court of Human Rights concerning the case of Cláudia Duarte Agostinho and others v. Portugal and 32 other States which relates to the negative impact of climate change on a range of human rights, in particular those of...
Report
Environmental Rights Activism and Advocacy in Europe: Issues, Threats, Opportunities
“Environmental protection is a critical pillar in ensuring that everyone in Europe can fully enjoy human rights,” the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, said today upon the release of a report on a round-table with environmental human rights defenders from across...
Speech
Commissioner calls on member states to support the recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the UN
Addressing the High Level Conference “Environmental Protection and Human Rights”, the Commissioner delivered the following speech today: I would start by thanking Georgia for making Environment and Human Rights the priority of its Presidency and raising the profile of the theme of Environment and...
Human Rights Comment
Living in a clean environment: a neglected human rights concern for all of us
Tomorrow, 5 June, is World Environment Day. Initiated as an annual event by the United Nations to draw attention to pressing environmental problems, this year’s theme is air pollution. The urgency of the problem cannot be overstated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 9...
Visit to Kosovo*
Commissioner Hammarberg calls for stop of forced returns and immediate evacuation of Roma from lead-contaminated camps
After the second visit within ten months to the lead-contaminated Roma camps of Česmin Lug and Osterode in northern Kosovo, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, deplored that the situation for the inhabitants remains the same: "The fact that the camps have been...
Viewpoint
Climate change is causing an unprecedented, global human rights crisis – and must now be countered by co-ordinated, rights-based action
The daily lives of millions are already being affected by the effects of global warming: desertification, droughts, flooding or cyclones. Basic human rights - such as the right to life, health, food, water, shelter or property - are threatened. The ones who will suffer most are those who are...
“All people in Kosovo1 should benefit from European standards of human rights protection” says Commissioner Hammarberg on publishing his report
Strasbourg, 02.07.2009 – Presenting his special mission report on Kosovo today, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights stressed that all people living in Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity, must benefit from European standards of human rights protection. They should not be held...
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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