Letter
Georgian Parliament should not adopt anti-LGBTI law and should refrain from using stigmatising rhetoric
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published today a letter sent to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia in which he asks members of the Parliament to refrain from adopting the draft law “On protecting family values and minors” passed in second reading...
Speech
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...
Third party intervention
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in a case concerning freedom of expression and association in Hungary
Commissioner O’Flaherty has published today his written observations in the case of Hungarian Helsinki Committee v. Hungary which is currently pending before the European Court of Human Rights. The case relates to the introduction of Article 353/A of the Hungarian Criminal Code in June 2018 and...
Speech
Speech at Informal Conference of the Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe on accountability in Ukraine
Speech by Michael O’Flaherty at the Informal Conference of the Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe “Towards Accountability for International Crimes Committed in Ukraine” in Vilnius, Lithuania: Chairperson, Ministers, Secretary-General, Excellencies, dear colleagues, Thank you for the...
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...