Michael O'Flaherty

It is disheartening to see @rightscon 2026 called off. Engaging on human rights in the age of AI is critical, and I was eager to do so in Lusaka next week. My thoughts are with all participants, and I look forward to alternative spaces for necessary dialogue. cc: @accessnow

Exchanging on my 2025 annual report with the @coe Committee of Ministers, I closed with a message of resilience and hope: in a time of hard winds, we must move forward without complacency but with deep appreciation of how well the organisation delivers already on its core business. #HumanRights 👇 coe.int/en/web/commiss…

Great meeting today with the Minister of Equality of Spain, Ana Redondo. From pioneering policies and measures to combat gender-based violence and protecting the rights of LGBTI people, Spain continues to show that progress is possible with bold political will. @IgualdadGob @_anaredondo_

As I presented my Annual Report 2025 to the Parliamentary Assembly, I spoke about the "polycrisis" threatening our foundations. The institutions and human rights law we rely on are not guaranteed to survive into the future. To carry the European Convention system safely forward, we must be extraordinarily vigilant in four key areas: 🔹Judicial independence: reaffirming the independence of the European Court of Human Rights 🔹Universality: defending rights for every human, regardless of who they are 🔹Non-instrumentalisation: preventing the Convention from being tempered with in service of policy goals 🔹Unintended consequences: guarding against future unanticipated erosion of protections Human rights are modernity’s greatest achievement. Together, we must ensure they are carried safely into whatever new era we are entering. #ECHR #HumanRights #RuleOfLaw #CouncilOfEurope #PACESpring2026 @Pace_News @coe coe.int/en/web/commiss…

Standing up for Europe’s Roma and Travellers must remain at the heart of EU policy, planning, and resource allocation. This is not a short-term project, it is an intergenerational responsibility - one that requires political leadership matched by adequate resources. To make a real difference for Europe’s largest ethnic minority, planning and budgeting should adopt an explicit #HumanRights approach, which both demands and delivers: 🔹True participation: especially for Roma and Traveller-led CSOs, Roma women and young people 🔹Local action: ensuring that funding reaches the villages and streets, and that mayors are challenged to fulfil their vital role 🔹Calling out hatred: tackling antigypsyism 🔹Investing in both remembrance and the celebration of diverse cultural identities 🔹Vindicating rights: investing in strategic litigation to ensure rights are enforceable in the courtroom Read my speech at the #EUMFF event today, part of the Roma Week 2026, organised by the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network) in Brussels 👇 coe.int/en/web/commiss… #RomaWeek2026 #OpreRoma #Equality #RomaRights #RomaEU

#Georgia: authorities must uphold democratic freedoms. 🔹Ensure accountability of law enforcement for alleged ill-treatment 🔹Repeal or amend restrictive laws that have a chilling effect on civic space 🔹Sustain attention to the #HumanRights of persons in and displaced from occupied territories Read my full statement👇 coe.int/en/web/commiss…

Valuable discussions with High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina @OHR_BiH Christian Schmidt and EUSR @KajsaOllongren on human rights developments

EU and Council of Europe. Human Rights. Fighting the good fight. Together. @MichaelCJT

Pleased to take part in the #ADF2026 panel on the future of the Global Refugee Protection System, as displacement reaches record levels. #RefugeeProtection

Useful first meetings with the UNHCR High Commissioner @BarhamSalih and @ICMPD Director General Susanne Raab to discuss Europe's refugee protection challenges. The protection of refugees must remain a European and global priority.

I am in #Antalya, #Türkiye for the 2026 #AntalyaDiplomacyForum. Looking forward to engaging dialogue with global leaders on today’s most pressing challenges, with a view to ensure that people and their rights remain at the centre of all our efforts. #ADF2026 #humanrights

Last night’s Russian massive attack on #Ukraine injured & killed dozens of civilians, including children. CoE member states must stand united in ensuring accountability. We need broad support for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. See my Memorandum: coe.int/en/web/commiss…

Poland’s suspension of access to asylum and removal practices remain a cause for concern. In my letter to the Minister of the Interior, I requested information on the measures taken by authorities to ensure their asylum and migration policies comply with the ECHR. Read my letter👇 coe.int/en/web/commiss…

In my memorandum on #Germany, I call for: 🔹Protecting civic space, freedom of expression & peaceful assemblies 🔹Distinguishing better between legitimate criticism of state policies and antisemitism 🔹Building on existing measures to protect Jewish communities and combat antisemitism 🔹Recognising anti-Muslim hatred as a societal problem and enhance efforts to address it 🔹Strengthening the anti-discrimination framework Read more 👇 coe.int/en/web/commiss…

Concluded my visit to Georgia on pressing human rights issues, meeting today with the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of IDPs, Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the Prosecutor General. Also went to the Odzisi occupation line and met IDPs in Tserovani settlement.

Visit to #Georgia, day 1: gaining a deeper understanding of pressing #HumanRights issues. Met with the Minister of Internal Affairs, the State Minister for reconciliation and civic equality, the Auditor General, the Public Defender, and representatives of civil society and int'l organisations.

We must resist the narrative that #HumanRights are an obstacle to efficiency, to progress or to innovation. Human rights are the only universally agreed roadmap to honour human dignity. Read my newsletter for March 2026 👇 nl.commissioner.coe.int/nl3/SWg2G0gthm…

On #InternationalRomaDay, and every day, we must stand with Roma and Travellers across Europe, honouring their rich cultures and contributions. This day is also a call to action against racism, poverty, exclusion; to invest in equality, and work with communities. Their narratives - reclaimed with pride and anchored in dignity and #equalrights - must be respected. #RomaRights

The news about the loss of lives of at least 37 people in two devastating shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, between Libya and Lampedusa and between Bodrum and Kos, is deeply saddening. Regardless of migration policies, it is imperative to rescue people at sea and not let people drown. Search and rescue is a fundamental issue of international law, including #HumanRights. #SAR

Marking the start of #OpreRoma! month at the @coe, I met the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (ADI-ROM) and Roma and Traveller-led civil society and highlighted 6 pillars to drive change for Roma and Travellers across Europe: 1️⃣ Confront racism: To progress, we must tackle the racism in our societies. 2️⃣ True partnership: We must do better work with Roma and Travellers. 3️⃣ Celebrate diverse cultures to break through the wall of indifference. 4️⃣ Never forget: Remembering and educating on the Roma Holocaust and past injustices, such as forced sterilisation, is crucial. 5️⃣ Go local:Very often, meaningful solutions depend on bridging national initiatives at the local level. 6️⃣ Choose hope: Every Roma and Traveller child’s dream deserves a fair shot. We cannot stand by while Europe’s largest ethnic minority still awaits equality and justice. Together, we must strive to deliver on their human rights. For insight into the stories of resilience of Roma and Traveller communities and the women driving change, I invite you to read my book THE UNHEARD 12 MILLION go.coe.int/IaNC0 #RomaRights #HumanRights