War in Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Commissioner has been responding to its human rights consequences by identifying patterns of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, engaging with national authorities and international institutions, addressing the needs of displaced people, and supporting human rights defenders.
Make human rights in Ukraine central to any peace process
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Ukraine from 17 to 21 March 2025, during which he focussed principally on placing human rights at the heart of the discussions towards peace.
During his visit, the Commissioner expressed concern at the continuing plight that people in Ukraine have endured since the start of the war and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including bombardment, mass displacement, and human suffering on an unimaginable scale. Building on his recent human rights elements central to a roadmap to peace in Ukraine, the Commissioner called for the inclusion of human rights as important guiding principles to any peace discussions.
