Commissioner’s visit to Greece postponed
[10/12/2012 10:00] The Commissioner's visit to Greece scheduled for 9-13 December had to be postponed because of severe air traffic problems at the Frankfurt airport on Sunday. A new date for the visit in the first months of 2013 should be fixed soon.
Improvements needed in human rights protection in Ireland
[06/12/2012 10:00] "Several changes in the system for human rights protection are planned or under way in Ireland. The authorities should use this opportunity to strengthen this system and make it more compliant with international standards" said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe...
Letter to Georgian authorities
Effective measures needed to eradicate ill-treatment and torture in Georgia
"The Georgian authorities should address long-standing concerns about ill-treatment of prisoners and other detained persons by public officials and take effective steps to repair the system of accountability. Constant vigilance is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the absolute prohibition...
Spain: Commissioner concerned about the pardon of police officers condemned for torture
[03/12/2012 10:00] In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, the Commissioner expressed his concerns about the decision of the Spanish Government to pardon 5 police officers who were condemned in 2008 for a case of torture. Stressing that torture and other forms of ill-treatment are...
Country visit
Human rights of Roma and social cohesion should be strengthened, says Commissioner Muižnieks in Skopje
"The authorities of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" should address more vigorously the factors which continue to undermine social cohesion in this multiethnic country. Targeted initiatives should be developed to build trust and promote social interaction between the communities, as...
Human Rights Comment
Stop chasing Roma. Start including them.
Evictions of Roma are on the rise in Europe In recent years, the situation of Roma has been largely debated in Europe. However, this attention for the situation of the most discriminated minority in Europe has not been matched by much concrete action by governments. European countries continue...
Roma segregation remains a serious problem in the Czech Republic
[15/11/2012 15:00] "The "practical schools" in the Czech Republic perpetuate segregation of Roma children, inequality and racism. They should be phased out and replaced by mainstream schools that need to be properly prepared to host and provide support to all pupils, irrespective of their ethnic...
Statement
Enhancing freedom of expression in Azerbaijan
At the end of a meeting with the Azerbaijani media on the safety of journalists held yesterday in Baku, Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission, stated...
Human Rights Comment
States must take resolute measures to end school segregation of Roma
Roma children are experiencing segregated and substandard education in the school systems in the majority of the 47 Council of Europe member states. The consequences are devastating. It makes it very hard for these children to escape poverty and marginalisation later on in life. Non-integration...
Letter
Albania should make its legal aid system more accessible
"In spite of recent legislative steps aimed at improving the free legal aid system in Albania, concerns remain about its compatibility with the Council of Europe standards in this field" said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, publishing a letter addressed...
Statement
How long must LGBTI persons still wait to live free from prejudice?
"The lives of millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex persons are still burdened by widespread prejudice, stigmatisation and in some cases even violence. Many of them are treated as second-class human beings. This situation is unbearable in today's Europe", said the Council of...
Human Rights Comment
States should do more to protect women from violence
Around the world – and indeed across Europe – women are beaten and threatened. Domestic violence is the most common form of abuse of women worldwide, irrespective of economics, religion or culture. There is a strange acceptance of the prevalence of domestic violence and violence against women in...
Country visit report
Finland: protection against discrimination should be strengthened
"The Finnish Government has started a timely reform of the national equal treatment legislation. It is now crucial to ensure accessibility of the protection framework to all victims of discrimination and avoid unnecessary fragmentation of equality bodies" said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of...
Country visit report
Italy needs to speed up court proceedings and improve the treatment of Roma and migrants
"Lengthy proceedings and the treatment of Roma and migrants in Italy raise serious human rights concerns" said today Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, releasing a report based on the findings of his visit to Italy carried out on 3-6 July. "It is high time that...
Country visit report
Austria should improve the protection of asylum-seekers, women and persons with disabilities
"Despite a well-established human rights system, Austria still needs to bridge some remaining gaps, in particular as concerns the rights of asylum-seekers, women and persons with disabilities" said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks, publishing a report based on the...
Shoah reminds of need to stay vigilant against intolerance in Europe
[05/09/12 10:00] "The Shoah stands out as one of the defining moments of history that shaped the conscience of mankind. While unique in its roots, implementation and envisioned totality, remembrance of the Shoah has become a central part of our efforts to prevent all crimes against humanity" said...
Statement
The Commissioner concerned about the pardon of Azerbaijani army officer convicted of murder
Commissioner Muižnieks expressed today his deep concerns about Azerbaijan's decision to pardon and honour Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani army officer who in 2004 brutally murdered Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan. "Racist crimes must not go unpunished. Violent offences motivated by bias, such as...
Human Rights Comment
Internally displaced persons in Europe: Another lost generation?
The media have frequently raised the prospect of a “lost generation” appearing in Europe as a result of the economic crisis. However, a different kind of “lost generation” has been struggling to cope in many European countries as the result of past military-political crises. I have in mind...
Human Rights Comment
Anti-Muslim prejudice hinders integration
Muslims in Europe want to interact with other Europeans and participate as full and equal members of society, but regularly face various forms of prejudice, discrimination and violence that reinforce their social exclusion. This is the conclusion of recent research by various international...
Human Rights Comment
Restrictions on defenders of migrants’ rights should stop
Defamation, threats, verbal and physical attacks, administrative sanctions and judicial harassment are used to deter human rights defenders from working with migrants and from combating the rising xenophobia and racism in Europe. Perpetrators can be both state and non-state actors. It is not...
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