International Day
Victims of enforced disappearances require urgent responses and concerted action: Forthcoming World Congress offers unique opportunity, experts say
To mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Committee on Enforced Disappearances, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Council of Europe...
Statement
Remembering the Roma Holocaust is also recognising the increasing levels of antigypsyism today
Ahead of the European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on 2 August, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, delivered the following video message at the international conference “My testimony is for young people - Passing on Memory for the Future of Holocaust...
Letter
Poland: all laws and practices related to the situation on the border with Belarus should comply with human rights standards
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today two letters sent on 17 July to the Prime Minister and the Marshal of the Senate of Poland concerning the human rights situation on the border with Belarus. In his letter to the Prime Minister, the...
Country visit
Slovak Republic: urgent need to address human rights of Roma and adopt an intergenerational approach
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, calls for emergency interventions to address the dreadful housing conditions of thousands of Roma, following his visit to the Slovak Republic from 8 to 12 July. The Commissioner engaged extensively with Roma communities to...
Statement
Srebrenica Genocide: Remember, honour and act
This year is the first time that 11 July is marked as International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, following the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution designating the day. In his message published ahead of that day, the Council of...
Заява
Комісар О'Флаерті засуджує смертельні ракетні удари по цивільній інфраструктурі в Україні
"Вчорашні смертельні ракетні атаки Росії на цивільну інфраструктуру в Києві та інших містах України є ще одним яскравим прикладом жорстокості російських військ та їхніх керівників. Обстріл київської лікарні "Охматдит", прихистку для дітей та найбільшої дитячої лікарні країни, є моторошною...
End of mission
Commissioner O’Flaherty raises alarm on LGBTI rights, pledges to partner with Roma
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, travelled to Thessaloniki, Greece, on 28 and 29 June to participate in the EuroPride 2024 Human Rights Conference and engage with local Roma communities who live on the outskirts of the city. At the EuroPride Conference...
Speech
Europride2024: Proud and concerned
Speech delivered at the closing session of the Thessaloniki EuroPride 2024 Human Rights Conference (check against delivery) Dear friends, It's a great pleasure to be here. I want to thank you for the invitation. At the end of today, I'm left both proud and anxious. I am proud from all the...
Speech
5 priorities to stand up for the human rights of the people of Ukraine
Speech delivered at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) joint debate on the legal and human rights aspects of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine President, thank you, Honourable members, it's a great pleasure and an honour to be here. Thank you for the trust you have...
Speech
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...
Statement
Paris 2024: Commissioner O’Flaherty engages with the host city and civil society actors about the human rights impact of the Olympic Games
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, visited Paris today to meet with the City of Paris, the French National Consultative Human Rights Commission (CNCDH) and civil society actors to discuss ways to ensure that the Games will strengthen human rights protection...
Speech
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...
Speech
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. ...
Letter
Finland should reject the draft law on instrumentalisation of migration, protect access to asylum and prevent summary expulsions
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Parliament of Finland and several Committee chairpersons, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expresses concern about the human rights compatibility of the draft law to curb instrumentalised...
Speech
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...
Speech
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...
Letter
Slovak Republic: new draft laws risk having a chilling effect on civil society and interfering with independence of public service media
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic (Parliament) and several Committee chairpersons, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, expresses concerns about the compatibility of two draft laws...
World Press Freedom Day
Commissioner O'Flaherty calls for greater efforts to protect press freedom
Ahead of World Press Freedom Day 2024, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued the following statement: “Despite a growing awareness of the importance of the press for democracy and of the threats it faces, journalists across Europe face increasing challenges....
Country visit
Комісар з прав людини закликає посилити підтримку України
Новий Комісар Ради Європи з прав людини Майкл О’Флаерті перебував з візитом в Україні у Києві 23 – 25 квітня. Це був його перший візит до держави-члена з моменту вступу на посаду 1 квітня. У зв’язку з тим, що у теперішньому стані справ з правами людини у Європі превалює війна Росії проти України,...
Statement
Serious human rights concerns about United Kingdom’s Rwanda Bill
“The adoption of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill by the UK Parliament raises major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law more generally”, said Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. “The United Kingdom government...
Speech
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...
Letter
Georgia: concerns about the compatibility of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” with the rights to freedom of association and expression
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty expresses concerns about the compatibility of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” with the human rights standards in the field of freedom of association and expression, and...
Speech
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....
Speech
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,...
Statement
The protection of the human rights of Roma and Travellers must become a top priority in our member states
“The discrimination experienced by Roma and Travellers in Europe and the scale of human rights violations that they face is shocking and calls for firm action”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty today ahead of International Roma Day on 8 April. “There...
Statement
Michael O'Flaherty takes up office as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
The Council of Europe's new Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, begins his six-year mandate today with a pledge to put human rights at the heart of member states’ agendas. "I intend to inject a human rights perspective into the greatest challenges facing our societies," said...
Statement
Dunja Mijatović ends her term as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
“At the end of my term as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, I am both grateful and reflective. Over the past six years, I have witnessed the extraordinary commitment to human rights displayed by partners of my Office, and by ordinary citizens in the face of an ever-changing...
Statement
Georgia: political manipulation and harassment of LGBTI people and human rights defenders have no place in a democratic society
“I am concerned about the present political discourse in Georgia, as illustrated by the announcement made by the Georgian Dream Party of their initiative to amend the Constitution and to adopt a new constitutional law on ‘Protection of Family Values and Underaged Persons’. It is reflective of...