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...
Letters
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands should put in place strict human rights guardrails in their plans for ‘return hubs’
In letters published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, asks ministers responsible for migration policy in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands to ensure that any plans for ‘return hubs’ align with international human rights law. The...
Açıklama
Türkiye: Ekrem İmamoğlu hakkındaki yasal süreçlere ilişkin açıklama
İstanbul’un seçilmiş belediye başkanı Ekrem İmamoğlu ve İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi ile ilgili davanın diğer sanıklarına karşı yürütülen ceza yargılamasındaki gelişmelerden endişe duyuyorum. Söz konusu yargılama süreci, silahların eşitliği ilkesi dahil olmak üzere adil yargılanma hakkı ve...
Letter
Azerbaijan: Council of Europe Commissioner concerned about criminal case against journalist Afgan Sadigov
Commissioner O’Flaherty published a letter today addressed to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan, seeking clarification regarding the criminal proceedings against journalist Afgan Sadigov, who was arrested on 8 June 2026 and subsequently remanded in pre-trial detention. In 2024,...
Third party intervention
Council of Europe Commissioner intervenes in ECtHR case on the risk of eviction of a Roma settlement in Greece
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published his written comments today in the case of Nikoleta Zereliga and Others v. Greece, currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights. The case, lodged by five Greek citizens of Roma origin, concerns...
Country visit
Bulgaria can go further to enhance long-term care for older people and secure housing for Roma communities
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, conducted a visit to Bulgaria from 29 June to 3 July 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
Statement on the escalating violence and attacks against civilians in Ukraine
“The Russian war against Ukraine continues to escalate with horrendous consequences for the people of Ukraine. I condemn the brutal overnight air attacks on Kyiv, which have killed at least 13 civilians, wounded over 80, and left more missing. Children are reported among the injured. My heartfelt...
Observations
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for continued solidarity and human rights protection for displaced Ukrainians in Europe
Today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released Observations warning against the premature winding down of protection and assistance for the millions of Ukrainians displaced across Europe by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. The Observations build on the...
Memorandum
Georgia: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for accountability of law enforcement and expresses concerns regarding mounting restrictions on democratic freedoms
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, released today a memorandum asking the Georgian authorities to make progress in ensuring accountability for the disproportionate use of force against protesters and to reverse legislation curtailing freedom of assembly,...
Country visit
The situation in long-term care facilities in France: the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights encourages the accelerated implementation of measures to safeguard the human rights of older people
Following his visit to France from 8 to 16 June, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, sets out his findings on the human rights situation of older people living in long-term care facilities (‘EHPADs’). This visit forms part of a wider initiative by the...
Memorandum
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for sustained support and long-term integration measures for Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia
"Karabakh Armenians displaced to Armenia need sustained support and further integration measures”, says Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, releasing a memorandum today, following his visit to Armenia. While welcoming the initial response of the Armenian...
Statement
United Kingdom: instrumentalisation of criminal acts spurring racist hate must stop
The horrific stabbing incident in Belfast this week, as well as other extensively reported crimes elsewhere in the United Kingdom, such as last year’s murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton, have been instrumentalised to whip up an unacceptable, often violent backlash against people purely because...