Commissioner's Shout Out
Safeguarding Ukrainians displaced across Europe
Over four years ago, at the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, while leading an EU agency, I deployed a team to Ukraine’s borders. The extraordinary solidarity shown by the people of Europe’s villages and towns was striking. Host countries provided Ukrainians with the right to stay and...
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...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Regulate platforms, not children – Commissioner urges caution over social media bans
As several European countries consider introducing a minimum age to access social media platforms, I urge caution in imposing sweeping bans. The focus on restricting access should not deflect attention from ensuring that platforms respect human rights through clear legal duties, independent...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Efficiency through dignity: why Europe’s return policies need human rights
For far too long, the conversation around migration in Europe has been framed as a zero-sum game. We are told we must choose between a system that is “tough” and one that respects human rights. In recent years, I have watched this false choice take centre stage in the political discourse, with...
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...
Commissioner's Shout Out
Alarming trends: the crisis facing civil society and human rights defenders in Europe
Alarming trends: the crisis facing civil society and human rights defenders in Europe – Commissioner O’Flaherty “Last week, I met with human rights defenders and civil society activists in Strasbourg and in Brussels. Some are in exile, some are on the brink of leaving their country, others are...
Commissioner's Shout out
Attacks on the Human Rights of migrants put all our rights at risk
Recent days have witnessed horrific scenes in the small town of Ballymena in Northern Ireland. There, night after night, rioting thugs have tyrannised men, women and children simply because they come from somewhere else. The shocking scenes remind me of the recent repeated arson attacks on...
Commissioner's Shout-out
Human rights should be an integral part of any peace talks on Ukraine
Amidst tectonic geopolitical shifts and the retreat of multilateralism, we are witnessing how human rights are being sidelined. A stark illustration of this are the current discussions about peace negotiations over Russia’s war against Ukraine. Every day since the start of Russia’s full-scale...
Commissioner's Shout Out
US aid freeze is leaving a void. Europe must fill it.
The decision by the Administration of the United States of America to suspend international aid has a negative impact on millions of people around the world, including in Europe. In response, Council of Europe member states should redouble their efforts to uphold the Organisation’s principles. I...
Regulate platforms, not children – Commissioner urges caution over social media bans
Efficiency through dignity: why Europe’s return policies need human rights