Letter
The Slovak Parliament should not adopt legislation that threatens civil society
In a letter addressed to the Slovak Parliament, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks parliamentarians to refrain from adopting a draft law on non-profit organisations or any amendments which are not fully in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. Following a letter about the draft law...
Letter
Hungary should reconsider the law on assemblies and refrain from adopting legislative proposals which threaten the human rights of LGBTI people
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks members of Parliament to reconsider the amendment to the Law on the right to assembly, which effectively bans events like Pride marches. He also urges them to refrain from adopting pending...
Letter
Poland: Proposed amendments to asylum law should be rejected to ensure human rights observance at the border with Belarus
In a letter to the Marshal of the Polish Senate, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks the Senate to refrain from adopting the draft law amending the Act on Granting Protection to Foreigners in Poland because it raises concerns as to its compatibility with human rights standards. “The proposed amendments...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Country visit report
Germany: Follow through with human rights commitments and improve access to social rights
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Germany from 27 November to 1 December 2023, with recommendations regarding the available structures and legal frameworks to protect human rights, and on access to social rights, in...
Looking tough on migration is eroding human rights
Politico, 06 March 2024 Curtailing migrant rights may help score quick political gains, but electoral success doesn’t give governments carte blanche to place themselves above the law. The upcoming adoption of the United Kingdom’s Safety of Rwanda Bill, currently working its way through the House...
Letters
Commissioner highlights key steps to better respect the rights of victims and deal with the past in the region of the former Yugoslavia
In her letters to the Prime Ministers of the Council of Europe member states in the region of the former Yugoslavia, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends specific steps to be taken to deal with the violent past and move more resolutely toward social...
Country visit report
Italy should improve legislation and practice on migration and asylum, women’s rights and gender equality
In a report published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends adopting a number of measures to better uphold the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and women. The Commissioner also raises certain issues concerning journalists and the legal...
Country visit report
Denmark: refocus on protection and integration in asylum policy and step up measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report on her visit to Denmark in May-June 2023, with recommendations on the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and the rights of persons with disabilities. There have been several positive...
Opinion article
Recognizing and addressing the erosion of human rights and democracy in Europe: a way forward
The Slovinian Times, 22/08/2023 Respect for human rights and the rule of law are the core principles of the Council of Europe and the lifeblood of democracy, Dunja Mijatović, the organisation's Commissioner for Human Rights, writes in her op-ed for Bled Strategic Times as she calls on member...
Letter
Pylos shipwreck: the Greek authorities must ensure that effective investigations are conducted
In a letter to the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, published today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, stresses that Greece has the legal obligation to conduct effective investigations into the Pylos shipwreck, which resulted in the death of more...
Letter
Ireland: Secure dignified accommodation for all refugees and asylum seekers through a government-wide approach
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Ireland, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published today, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović raises concerns about the...
Country visit report
Spain: address housing and health inequalities, safeguard freedoms of expression and assembly and provide safe and legal access to the territory for people seeking asylum
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović published today the report on her visit to Spain carried out in November 2022, with recommendations on social rights, in particular the right to housing and the right to health, the freedoms of expression and assembly and the human...