Country visit
Norway encouraged to improve long-term care for older persons and better align climate action with human rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, conducted a visit to Norway from 19 to 23 October 2026. The visit focused on the human rights of older persons living in long-term care facilities, as part of the Commissioner's broader engagement on this issue across...
Statement
Commissioner O'Flaherty calls for the protection of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and human rights-compliant policing
"As protests continue across Europe, with young people and students playing a prominent role, and ahead of further demonstrations planned this weekend, I call on member states to protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and ensure human rights-compliant policing", said Council of Europe...
Video message
Commissioner calls for action against hateful and discriminatory narratives at ECRI Annual Seminar
The following video message was delivered by Michael O'Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, at 2026 ECRI Annual Seminar with Equality Bodies on "The role of Equality Bodies in addressing hateful and discriminatory narratives in political and other public discourse"....
Speech
Taming the technology: AI, human rights, and the future of justice
The following closing remarks were delivered by Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the 17th Warsaw Human Rights Seminar on “Justice in the digital era” on 12 October 2026. Minister, Judges, Dear friends, It is a great pleasure to be back at the Warsaw Human...
Letters
Bulgaria: Commissioner O'Flaherty recommends stronger protection for older persons in care homes and Roma
Following his visit to Bulgaria, Commissioner O’Flaherty, sent two letters to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Nataliya Efremova. The letters, published today, address long-term care for older persons and the housing situation of Roma communities. Regarding long-term residential care for...
Letter
Malta: Proposed Bill to establish a National Human Rights Institution is a step in the right direction
The Commissioner sent a letter to Malta’s Minister for Equality and Civil Rights, Rosianne Cutajar, welcoming the introduction of Bill N.3 to establish a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality. The Commissioner welcomed several features of the bill, including the Commission’s proposed...
Speech
Saving our planet… Doing nothing is not an option
Speech by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, at the General policy debate on “Europe, the fastest-warming continent: Accelerating climate action with young people”, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. President, Rapporteur, Honourable delegates to...
Statement
Ukraine: The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Oleshky demands attention and action
The following statement is attributable to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty: “I am alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, a town in the temporarily occupied parts of the Kherson region of Ukraine. Civilians, including children,...
Speech
Between erosion and hope, aspects of human rights in Serbia today
Transcript of remarks by Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the side event “Fundamental Freedoms Under Pressure: Human Rights and Accountability in Serbia”, organised by the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council....
Statement
Türkiye: Authorities should refrain from restricting the human rights of LGBTI civil society
“I am concerned by reports of a series arrests, raids and the blocking of websites and social media accounts targeting LGBTI civil society and human rights defenders across Türkiye”, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty. In a public statement, the...
Speech
Principles for a human rights approach to tackling poverty
Speech delivered on the occasion of the Scottish Human Rights Commission event on poverty in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. It's a really great pleasure to be here and thanks. As the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, it's my job to support the 46 member states of the...
Letter
France: Commissioner calls for stronger rights protection for older persons in care homes
Following his June visit to France, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty addressed a letter to the French Minister for Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities, encouraging systemic improvements in long-term care facilities (EHPADs). While welcoming reforms,...
Third party intervention
Commissioner intervenes in ECtHR case on Georgia’s ‘Foreign Agents Registration Act’
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today his written comments in the case of Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and Others v. Georgia (no. 2), currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights. The case concerns Georgia’s 2025 Foreign Agents...
Statement
Glorification of war criminal Ratko Mladić is unlawful and an affront to victims
I abhor the public glorification of Ratko Mladić, a deceased war criminal convicted for the Srebrenica genocide and crimes against humanity, including statements by officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entity of Republika Srpska and in Serbia. Such glorification constitutes a criminal offense...
Speech
Reclaiming international human rights law amid conflict and volatility – keynote lecture at ESIL Annual Conference
Keynote lecture at the XXI Annual Conference of the European Society of International Law. Dear friends, Back in September 1979, at the UN General Assembly in New York, the late Pope John Paul II delivered a remarkable speech about human rights. In essence, it was a paen of praise for the...
Joint statement
Victims first: Commissioner for Human Rights supports action on enforced disappearances
On the occasion of the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearance, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expressed his unwavering solidarity with all those who have suffered enforced disappearance, and with their families and loved ones who are left...
Speech
The artist as defender of human rights - 2026 Nuala O'Flaherty Memorial Lecture
On 14 August 2026, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty presented the 2026 Nuala O'Flaherty Memorial Lecture at the QVMAG Arts Foundation in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (updated version of a Lecture at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin on 11 October 2024). Your...
Speech
WorldPride: Honouring and celebrating those differences that unite us as humanity
Keynote speech at "WorldPride Human Rights Conference" in Amsterdam, Netherlands Dear friends, At the outset I extend my deepest sympathy to the loved ones of the person killed in the attack at Berlin Pride, as well as my solidarity with all those who were injured, and all the participants in...
Memorandum
Italy needs to sustain its efforts to end child poverty – Council of Europe Commissioner
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a memorandum on child poverty in Italy. The Commissioner appreciates that child poverty is recognised as a serious issue by the Italian authorities and that considerable efforts have been made over the years to...
Letter
Council of Europe Commissioner raises challenges regarding care homes for older persons in Romania
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a letter to the Prime Minister of Romania following his visit to the country from 26 to 29 May 2026. The Commissioner welcomes progress in social service reform and the dedication of staff working in care...