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Exchange of view with the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM)
Transcript of remarks by Michael O’Flaherty given at the exchange of view with the Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) Chairperson, dear colleagues, it's a great pleasure to be with you today. I think that the work of CDDEM is of enormous significance, and I want you to count on my support as...
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Remarks by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, on receiving the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria
What can I say, dear Ambassador, Excellencies, so many friends, colleagues in this room. I want to thank you very much. I want to thank you for the great honour that you have done me. I accept the honour, but I accept it, and I'm very clear on this, not just for myself, but for all those who work...
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Speech at ECRI's annual seminar with Equality Bodies
Edited transcript of the speech by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty, delivered at the annual seminar with Equality Bodies of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) “Exposing racism, intolerance, and inequalities – Commemorating 30 years of...
Keynote address
The Artist as Defender of Human Rights
Keynote address 'The Artist as Defender of Human Rights', by Michael O’Flaherty, delivered at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin, Ireland, at the Special Evening Lecture organised as part of the exhibition La Grande Illusion by artist Brian Maguire on 9 October 2024. When I was a child of eight or...
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Human rights and migration: 5 key elements
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered at the Joint debate of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on “Missing migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers – A call to clarify their fate”and “A shared European approach to address migrant...
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Speech at the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered at the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. (A shorter version of this speech was delivered at the joint debate on “Missing migrants,...
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Commissioner’s video message to the Berlin Process Ministerial meeting on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process
Video message delivered to the Ministerial meeting on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process, organised in the context of the Berlin Process Meetings 2024, Berlin, 18 September 2024: Hello, and thank you so much for inviting me to this important meeting. I apologize that I can only...
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Speech at the 2nd International Conference on Migrant Smuggling
Speech by Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the 2nd International Conference on Migrant Smuggling, organised by the Council of Europe European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC), in collaboration with the Office of the Special Representative on Migration and...
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Social Rights are Human Rights!
Introductory speech at the opening session of the High-Level Conference on the European Social Charter, organised in Vilnius, under the auspices of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Minister, as part of the follow-up to the 4th Summit of the Council of Europe Ministers, Excellencies,...
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How standing up for social rights can help counter Russia's war on human rights in Ukraine
Opening remarks at the side event “Protecting social rights in times of war in Ukraine” on the occasion of the High-Level Conference on the European Social Charter, organised in Vilnius, under the auspices of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Minister, as part of the follow-up to the...
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A Commissioner’s call to action for civil society
Speech delivered by Michael O’Flaherty at the 100th session of the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH), Conference on the Protection and the Promotion of Civil Society Space in Europe. Chairperson Oinonen, distinguished members of the steering committee, Friends, I apologise for not being...
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Exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty at the Exchange of view with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe President, distinguished Ambassadors, Thank you for the invitation to engage in dialogue with you today. I have been in office for ten weeks. During that time, I have engaged the human...
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Journalism Excellence Awards 2024: the media is a key ally in defending the human rights of Roma
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty on the occasion of the Journalism Excellence Awards Ceremony - “Ethical media reporting on Roma and combating racism and antigypsyism through the media” Good evening, everybody. It is a great pleasure to be here on the occasion of the Journalism Excellence Awards. ...
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Ministerial 2024: a vision for an agile and flexible Commissioner's mandate
Address at the 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Mesdames et Messieurs les Ministres, Monsieur le Président, Excellences, Il y a un an, à Reykjavik, les chefs d’État et de gouvernement ont décidé de renforcer l’institution du Commissaire aux droits de l’homme du...
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IDAHOT+ Forum 2024, not a time for business as usual: wake up!
Speech given at the Opening Plenary Session of IDAHOT+ Forum 2024 at The Hague Minister, Excellencies, Friends, It is a great pleasure to be with you. I'm a 65-year-old gay Irish man, and this means I have lived through significant times of social development. For the first 20 years of my life, I...
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Exchange of views between the Commissioner for Human Rights and the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
Speech delivered on the occasion of the exchange of views between the Commissioner for Human Rights and the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination Chairperson, esteemed members of the Committee, Thank you very much for this opportunity to exchange views. Cooperation between this...
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Commissioner pledges to prioritise the defence of civil society
Speech delivered at the exchange of views with the Council of Europe's Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (CINGO): “Dear friends, Thank you for inviting me to this exchange of views with the Council of Europe’s Conference of International non-Governmental Organisations....
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The Commissioner calls for an enhanced respect for the dignity of Romani people
Participating in an event to mark International Romani Day in Strasbourg today, the Commissioner delivered the following speech: “Excellencies, esteemed representatives of the city of Strasbourg, distinguished chair of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues,...
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Commissioner addresses the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Speech at the 46th Session of the Congress of the Council of Europe Dear Mr President, distinguished members of the Congress, I am grateful for the opportunity to address this assembly today. As my mandate comes to an end in the coming days, this moment offers a valued space to reflect with you...
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Presentation of the 2023 Annual Activity Report of the Commissioner for Human Rights to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Dear Mr. President, esteemed members of PACE, As I stand before you today to present my final annual report as Commissioner for Human Rights, I feel a profound sense of honour and responsibility. It has been, and it is still, a privilege to serve at the helm of this Institution, championing the...