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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...
Rule 9
Romania should implement the Strasbourg Court’s judgments regarding rights of persons with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions
The Commissioner published today two communications to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights relating to the protection of the rights of people with intellectual disabilities or mental health conditions in...
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...
Speech
A paradigm shift is needed towards a human-rights approach to mental health care
Speech by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović at Riga Conference on promoting autonomy in mental healthcare (delivered via video) Excellencies, distinguished participants, Dear organisers, dear colleagues, Thank you for your invitation to this important event. I...
Country visit report
Czech Republic: systemic change needed to address long-standing human rights issues for Roma and persons with disabilities
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to the Czech Republic in February 2023, with recommendations mainly focusing on the human rights of Roma and of persons with disabilities. The report also addresses the overall...
Country visit
Denmark: concerns over the impact of shift in asylum policy and need for further progress in the protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities
“While Denmark has a solid track record with regard to international human rights obligations, there are challenges that persist, and actions that should be taken to step up protection. This is particularly the case for some of the most vulnerable groups in our societies, such as refugees, asylum...
Country visit
Breakthrough necessary to ensure the equality and dignity of Roma people and people with disabilities in the Czech Republic
“The Czech Republic should spare no effort to address the long-standing problem of the exclusion of Roma people and people with disabilities, and to ensure that they can live in equality and dignity”, said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, today, following her...
Speech
Addressing the rights of women with disabilities in Europe: observations and perspectives
Online intervention at the University Women of Europe webinar: "Addressing the rights of women with disabilities in Europe" Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Friends, It is an honour to be with you today. Allow me first to thank the organisers for inviting me to this important and timely event. It is...
Memorandum
The Commissioner publishes her memorandum on the human rights consequences of the war in Ukraine
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today a memorandum addressing the human rights consequences of the war in Ukraine. It aims to address some of the humanitarian and human rights consequences of the war and to highlight issues which require urgent...
Third party intervention
Commissioner publishes observations on the human rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities
Today the Commissioner published her written observations submitted to the European Court of Human Rights concerning the case of Clipea and Iapara v. the Republic of Moldova, which relates to alleged human rights violations committed in connection with the applicants’ stay in a psychiatric...
Letter
Romania: the appointment of the new leadership of the CRPD Monitoring Council should be an opportunity to strengthen the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities
In a letter to the President of the Senate of Romania and the Chairperson of its Human Rights Committee, made public today, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights invites the Senate to use the appointment of the new leadership of the CRPD Monitoring Council to strengthen the...
Human Rights Comment
Reform of mental health services: an urgent need and a human rights imperative
Already in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was warning that substantial investment in mental health services was necessary to avert a mental health crisis. The evidence for the devastating impact of the pandemic on mental health is now overwhelming....
Speech
PACE Hearing on deinstitutionalisation of persons with disabilities
Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development Parliamentary Assembly "About two years ago, I had the privilege of addressing the Parliamentary Assembly on the issue of ending coercion in psychiatry and witnessed the unanimous adoption of its Resolution on this question. This...
Human Rights Comments
Corruption undermines human rights and the rule of law
In recent years, in many European countries, including Romania, Malta, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, the Slovak Republic and Ukraine, people have taken to the streets in protests against systemic corruption, demanding respect for the rule of law, accountability of corrupt politicians and a...
Statement
States should deliver on their commitments to persons with disabilities
This year, we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at a time when the COVID19 pandemic is still raging in Europe. The pandemic has disproportionately affected persons with disabilities and exposed all the pre-existing failings in Council of Europe member states. Among many...
Country visit report
The Republic of Moldova should ratify the Istanbul Convention, improve its response to hate speech and advance access to quality healthcare, affordable housing and social inclusion for all
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today a report on her visit to the Republic of Moldova in March this year – which included travel to Comrat (Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia) and Tiraspol - with recommendations on violence against women and...
Human Rights Comment
Learning from the pandemic to better fulfil the right to health
The COVID-19 pandemic has concentrated minds about the resilience of our health care systems and it is challenging member states’ health policies and their effectiveness. In addition, doctors, medical staff and health care staff are under unprecedented pressure. Do we have sufficient medical...
Statement
Persons with disabilities must not be left behind in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic
As governments in Europe react to the rapid spread of the coronavirus through wide-reaching measures, they must not forget that a large proportion of their population is living with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are not only often at increased risk of serious health complications, but...
Letter
Commissioner encourages the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt measures to move forward on deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities
The Commissioner published today a letter she addressed to the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Mirsad Zaimović. The Commissioner calls on the Parliament to use an upcoming debate on the situation in several public...
Statement
Commissioner urges authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to investigate abuses in the Pazaric institution for children with disabilities
The revelations of abuse in the Pazarić institution for children and youth with intellectual and psycho-social disabilities are profoundly shocking. I call upon the authorities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to initiate, as a matter of urgency, an effective investigation into the...
Speech
It is time to end coercion in mental health
Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly’s debate on “Ending coercion in mental health: the need for a human rights-based approach”, the Commissioner delivered the following statement today: Download the speech CommDH/Speech(2019)7 (Pdf) It is a great pleasure to address the Parliamentary Assembly...
Country visit report
Romania should improve the implementation of laws and ensure funding to effectively protect the rights of persons with disabilities and protect women from violence
“There are systemic obstacles which seriously hinder the effective protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Romania”, said today Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, publishing the report on her visit to the country in November 2018. The report focuses...
Country visit report
Report on Armenia recommends measures to improve women’s rights, protection of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, and establishing accountability for past human rights violations
Today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published the report of her visit to Armenia carried out in September 2018. The report focuses on women’s rights, gender equality and domestic violence; the human rights of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups; and...
Letter
Commissioner calls on the Czech Republic to ensure legislative changes do not harm inclusive education efforts
In a letter to the Czech Republic’s Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Robert Plaga, published today, the Commissioner addresses proposed changes to Decree 27/2016 Coll. on the education of pupils with special education needs. The Commissioner expresses her...
Country visit
Romania should improve the protection of persons with disabilities, combat violence against women, safeguard press freedom and maintain the independence of the judiciary
“Romania needs to strengthen its institutional framework to better protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and should step up the efforts to combat violence against women,” said today Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of her five-day visit to...
Country visit
Armenia’s new government should place human rights at the centre of its policies
“Armenia’s peaceful transfer of power in May 2018 has been truly remarkable. However, popular expectations are high that there will be tangible improvements to people’s lives, and the government should devote its attention to upholding the long-neglected rights of those who are most vulnerable”,...
Speech
Upholding the human rights of persons with disabilities in Armenia
The Commissioner delivered a keynote speech today at the closing conference “Social Rights of Persons with Disabilities” organised in Yerevan, Armenia. Download the speech CommDH/Speech(2018)6 (Pdf) Watch the video (Facebook) Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a real pleasure to be here...
Country visit report
Albania should continue improving child protection and inclusion of persons with disabilities
“The protection of children and inclusion of persons with disabilities has improved in Albania, but the authorities still have to address remaining shortcomings”, said today Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, while releasing the report on her visit to the country...
Human Rights Comment
Addressing the invisibility of women and girls with disabilities
Often, women with disabilities are invisible and marginalised in society, including among those promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, and those promoting gender equality and the advancement of women. The exclusion of women with disabilities from decision-making spaces has for a long...
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