Opinion editorial
Eastern Ukraine: the humanity behind the headlines
The government in Kyiv, aid organisations and the international community must work together to address the humanitarian crisis created by the fighting in the east.
Report on visit to Hungary
Hungary: progress needed on media freedom, anti-discrimination measures and migrants’ rights
“Hungary should better ensure media freedom, combat widespread intolerance and discrimination, and improve the protection of the human rights of migrants” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, while releasing a report based on the findings of his July visit...
Statement
Commissioner concerned about arrest of journalists in Turkey
I am following with deep concern the events unfolding in Turkey. The arrest yesterday of journalists and media workers is a serious setback for media freedom in the country. Irrespective of the reasons which may have motivated them, such measures are disproportionate and unnecessary in a...
International Human Rights Day
Roma inclusion is mission possible
“In my two-and-a-half years in office, I have encountered one serious human rights problem in practically every member state - the prolonged exclusion and discrimination of the Roma population. This holds true whether the country is rich or poor, lies within or outside the European Union, and...
Publication of an Issue Paper
Do not switch human rights off
Issue Paper “The Internet and digital environment are not virtual worlds when it comes to human rights. Standards and principles that apply offline must also be upheld online” said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, releasing a report on the application of...
Visit to Ukraine
Conflict in eastern Ukraine has dire impact on human rights
“The armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has had devastating effects on the human rights of the population. The humanitarian situation is also extremely difficult and people continue to suffer greatly” stated today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, following a visit...
Report on mission to Kyiv, Moscow and Crimea
In Crimea serious human rights violations and attacks on minorities and journalists require urgent action
Report “All cases of serious human rights violations that have occurred in Crimea[1] since February 2014, including the recent cases of abductions, must be effectively investigated and those responsible held accountable. Urgent steps must also be taken to ensure minority rights and security, as...
Visit to Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan: Stop reprisals against human rights defenders
“The targeting of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan must stop” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, at the end of a two-day visit to the country. “The urgency of this visit was dictated by the arrest and detention over last summer of virtually all the...
Country visit report
Migrants’ and children’s rights need better protection in the Netherlands
“The Netherlands has a solid human rights protection system, but in practice there are shortcomings, in particular as concerns migrants and children, that need to be addressed” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, while releasing the report on his visit to...
Human Rights Comment
Preserving Europe's social model
PRESERVING EUROPE’S SOCIAL MODEL As we enter the 7th year of the economic crisis, the end is not yet in sight. Worse, in most countries, the adoption of austerity measures has so far contributed little to recovery, but has exacerbated the dire living conditions of millions of people. Not...
Country visit
Armenia should address gender inequality and enhance the independence of the judiciary
“Much remains to be done in Armenia towards ensuring the equal protection of human rights of women and men”, said the Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, at the end of a 5-day visit to Armenia. “The adoption in 2013 of a Law on Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women and...
Human Rights Comment
LGBTI children have the right to safety and equality
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) children are often victims of bullying and violence in schools, at home and via social media. This has a serious effect on their well-being and prevents openness about their personal identity. Like all children, LGBTI [i] children are entitled to...
Opinion article
Europe, Wake up!
In an opinion editorial published yesterday by New Europe, the Commissioner calls for a change in European migration policy, in order to make it more humane and human rights compliant. “Just a few days ago more than 700 people died in two shipwrecks near Malta and off the coast of Libya. Stories...
Visit to France
France must keep its promises concerning equality
“Despite efforts to implement the principle of equality in France, many forms of discrimination remain and show that a number of the Republic’s major undertakings are still to be honoured in this vital area for social cohesion and human rights”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human...
Mission to Kyiv, Moscow and Simferopol
Human rights abuses in Crimea need to be addressed
“Cases of serious human rights violations, including killings, enforced disappearances, severe physical ill-treatment and arbitrary detention in Crimea[1] since March 2014 have to be addressed" said Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of a mission to Kyiv,...
Human Rights Comment
Missing persons in Europe: the truth is yet to be told
Tens of thousands of persons remain missing and still haunt Europe decades after the demise of dictatorships and the end of armed conflicts. For example, Spain has yet to come to terms with its past and shed light on the fate of more than 150 000 persons who remain missing as a result of the...
Human Rigths Comment
Maintain universal access to health care
Universal access to health care has been undermined by austerity measures and the economic crisis. Cuts in health services and difficult economic and social conditions are beginning to have a measurable impact on the health of the population in many countries. Yet the right to health is...
Statement
Concerns over the situation of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan
The arrest of Rasul Jafarov and the travel ban imposed on Emin Huseynov provide yet another disturbing illustration of how human rights defenders in Azerbaijan are systematically threatened with an instrumental use of criminal suits. These cases happen shortly after the arrest of Leyla Yunus and...
Opinion article
Safeguarding human rights in the fight against terrorism
In an opinion editorial published today by New Europe, the Commissioner underscores the importance of safeguarding human rights in the fight against terrorism. “Anti-terror policies and actions must become more human-rights compliant. By doing so, state security is not reduced. On the contrary,...
Human Rights Comment
Protecting Children's Rights: Europe should do more
25 years of child rights protection Twenty-five years ago, on 20 November 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It was a landmark development: for the first time, states recognised children as fully-fledged bearers of a range of human rights,...
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