Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, hosted a high-level event yesterday to mark the Institution’s 25th anniversary.
Part of the activities of Luxembourg’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the event was honored by the participation of Their Royal Highnesses Henri and Maria Teresa, Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and featured prominent leaders such as Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity; Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Pierre-Alain Fridez, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and Marko Bošnjak, President of the European Court of Human Rights.
Discussions highlighted the Commissioners’ achievements over the past 25 years in addressing pressing human rights challenges. Two high-level segments defined the program: the first reflected on the institution’s impact, with contributions from former Commissioners Álvaro Gil-Robles, Nils Muižnieks, Dunja Mijatović, and a message from Thomas Hammarberg. The second emphasised collaboration among international organizations, with reflections from representatives of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Union and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions.
“It is time to rally, imbue each other with urgency, and strengthen the human rights system with more resolve,” urged Commissioner O’Flaherty, highlighting the importance of a unified, global commitment to defending human rights in an era of growing challenges.