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...
Speech
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three hearings concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus
The Commissioner intervened yesterday in three hearings before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of R.A. and Others v. Poland, H.M.M. and Others v. Latvia, and C.O.C.G. and Others v. Lithuania, in which he encouraged the Court to use the opportunities of these...
Third party intervention
Oral intervention before the Grand Chamber in the case of C.O.C.G. and Others v. Lithuania
Mr President, Distinguished members of the Court, Today’s cases are of particular importance to me as they will have significant implications for the protection of the rights of individuals as well as for the system of human rights protection more broadly. Summary returns are widespread and...
Third party intervention
Oral intervention before the Grand Chamber in the case of H.M.M. and Others v. Latvia
Mr President, Distinguished members of the Court, Today’s cases are of particular importance for me as they will have significant implications for the protection of the rights of individuals as well as for the system of human rights protection more broadly. Summary returns are widespread and...
Third party intervention
Oral intervention before the Grand Chamber in the case of R.A. and Others v. Poland
Mr President, Distinguished members of the Court, Today’s cases are of particular importance for me as they will have significant implications for the protection of the rights of individuals as well as for the system of human rights protection more broadly. Summary returns are widespread and...
Country visit
Greece: the Commissioner calls for accountability for human rights violations committed at the borders and intensified efforts to honour the human rights of Roma
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit Greece from 3 to 7 February 2025, during which he focussed on the protection of human rights in the context of border control operations and on the human rights of Roma. He expresses his gratitude to the...
Speech
Human rights oversight of artificial intelligence
Speech delivered at the Embassy of Ireland in Paris. Monsieur l’Ambassadeur, Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs, Chers amis, Many years ago, I was sitting on a hotel terrace, looking across the lawn. As I sat there, I became aware of a little machine going up and down the grass, cutting as it...
Speech
Commissioner’s video message to the National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy
Video message delivered to the ‘National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy. Valuing Diversity’, organised by the NGO Voice of Romni, Kyiv, 30 January 2025: Dear friends, thank you so much for inviting me to participate in this conference. I'm sorry that I cannot be with you in...
Speech
For a Permanent Platform on Interreligious and Inter-convictional Dialogue at the Council of Europe
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty delivered at the PACE side-event “For a Permanent Platform on Interreligious and Inter-convictional Dialogue at the Council of Europe”, co-organised by the Committee for Interreligious and Inter-convictional Dialogue of the Conference of INGOs. I really welcome this...
Country visit
Georgia: Protect freedom of assembly and expression, ensure accountability for human rights violations and end stigmatisation of NGOs and LGBTI people
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, visited Georgia from 21 to 23 January 2025. He expresses his gratitude to the Georgian authorities for their cooperation and for the open discussions. During the visit he engaged extensively with authorities and civil...
Statement
At First World Congress, the Commissioner makes pledges to support efforts to end enforced disappearances in Europe
This statement was delivered on behalf of the Commissioner for Human Rights. The Commissioner for Human Rights is a non-judicial independent institution created in 1999 by the Council of Europe to promote awareness of and respect for human rights across its member states. Enforced disappearances...
Statement
Member states should enforce standards to combat online disinformation while protecting human rights for all
“The recent measures for adjustments of its fact-checking policy taken by META, which were preceded by similar measures taken by X, may have adverse implications for human rights. Platforms must not retreat from facts. If they do so, they create a vacuum where disinformation thrives unchecked and...
Letter
The Commissioner asks the Italian Senate to amend the ‘security bill’ to safeguard human rights
In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate of Italy, published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks members of the Senate to refrain from adopting Bill 1236 on public security, unless it is substantially amended to ensure that it complies with Council of Europe human rights standards....
Letters
Czech Republic: the authorities should extend the law on compensation for victims of forced sterilisations
Commissioner O’Flaherty published today letters to the Prime Minister and to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic. The letters call for the urgent extension of the law on compensation for victims of forced sterilisations conducted between...
Statement
As Syria shifts, Council of Europe member states must avoid hasty returns of refugees
“In the wake of the developments in Syria and the fall of the Assad regime, several Council of Europe member states have suspended the processing of asylum claims of Syrians and announced plans to forcibly return Syrians currently under their protection. These developments raise urgent questions...
International Day
On Human Rights Day, the Commissioner calls for action to realise the Universal Declaration's vision
Message of Michael O'Flaherty on the occasion of the Human Rights Day 2024 Today is International Human Rights Day 2024. This is a day for me to look back over the past nine months during which I have taken up the mandate of Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner. During that period, we...
Speech
Addressing violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in Europe
Keynote speech by Michael O'Flaherty at the Conference "Addressing violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in Europe," organised by the Parliamentary Platform for the rights of LGBTI people in Europe of the PACE, in collaboration with the Council of Europe SOGIESC...
Statement
Georgian authorities must fulfil their obligation to uphold the right of peaceful assembly
"I am following with serious concern the reports of disproportionate use of force by the police against predominantly peaceful demonstrators and journalists covering the ongoing protests in Georgia. The authorities must uphold their human rights obligations to respect freedom of peaceful...
Speech
It is time to rally to defend human rights, says Commissioner O’Flaherty
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, marked the 25th anniversary of the Institution with a speech in which he emphasised the urgent need for a collective recommitment to human rights amid escalating global challenges. “This moment of crisis for human rights is...
Statement
Commissioner O’Flaherty calls for collective action to defend human rights
Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, hosted a high-level event yesterday to mark the Institution’s 25th anniversary. Part of the activities of Luxembourg’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the event was honored by the participation...
Speech
Exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers
Ambassadors, good morning. By now you will have seen my report covering the period 1 April to 31 August. You will observe that I have built it around my four priority work areas, and it addresses my engagement with states in the form of visits and otherwise, as well as my thematic focus of...
Letter
Azerbaijan: Commissioner asks for release of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists
Commissioner O’Flaherty published today a letter he addressed to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in which he asks the authorities for the immediate release of all human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists who are imprisoned for their legitimate work or for...
Statement
25th Anniversary of the Commissioner for Human Rights: Facing the future with confidence, building on a quarter century of experience
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, will mark the 25th anniversary of the Institution with a high-level event on 21 November at the Hemicycle of the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg. This event is part of the activities of the Presidency of Luxembourg of the...
Interview
AI and Human Rights: Interview at the Web Summit 2024
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/0ElgxEIiMXQ
Statement
Member states must act to end impunity for crimes against journalists
“The lack of justice for murdered journalists across Europe is a troubling sign of the dangers facing the press,” said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. “Far too many journalists have...
Speech
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...
Letter
Cyprus: Commissioner O’Flaherty expresses concern about the situation of migrant and asylum-seeking people stranded in the buffer zone and allegations of summary returns at sea
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a letter sent on 23 October to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides. The Commissioner highlighted the situation of some 35 individuals who have been stranded in the buffer zone...
Speech
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...
Third party intervention
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three cases concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus
Commissioner O’Flaherty has published today his written comments to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of C.O.C.G. and Others v. Lithuania, H.M.M. and Others v. Latvia, and R.A. and Others v. Poland.* The cases relate to the alleged summary returns of asylum...
Speech
Ombuds Institutions / NHRIs amid Turbulent Times: Resilience and Challenges
Online speech by Michael O’Flaherty on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia at the Conference “Ombuds Institutions / NHRIs amid Turbulent Times: Resilience and Challenges” Good morning. Your Excellencies, Madame Human Rights Defender, distinguished...