I was delighted to meet today with a sporting legend and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, @JeanTodt. We discussed the multiple human rights issues around road safety and the need to strengthen awareness and action to prevent avoidable deaths and injuries.
Commissioner for Human Rights
4,010 posts
Official account of Michael O'Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, independent, non-judicial institution promoting human rights in Europe.
- United Kingdom: instrumentalisation of criminal acts spurring racist hate must stop Read my statement ⬇️ coe.int/en/web/commiss…
- I am concerned by reports that criminal proceedings for serious police misconduct against a female student during the July 2025 Belgrade protests may be stopped through deferred prosecution. #Serbia
- Visite en France, jour 2: excellente rencontre avec la défenseure des droits, Claire Hédon. A l'approche du terme de son mandat, je la remercie pour son engagement et la remarquable coopération de nos institutions. #droitshumains Visit to France, day 2: excellent meeting with
- At the Gender Equality Commission's annual conference, I set out four areas in which we need to engage to reclaim women’s roles in peace and security: overcoming patriarchy and misogyny, eradicating gender-based violence, embedding women, peace and security in peacetime and
- 1er jour de ma visite en #France dédiée aux personnes âgées en institution: à Schiltigheim et Strasbourg, j'ai visité deux Ehpad et j'ai été honoré par l'accueil chaleureux des résidents et du personnel. Je les remercie pour le temps accordé et la qualité de nos échanges.
- At the Ukrainian Global Summit in Bern, I explained how Europe's approach to the next phase of protection to displaced Ukrainians must be based on evidence, transparency, international law, consultation and inclusion. The welcome must be extended. #UWC ➡️ coe.int/en/web/commiss…
- Useful exchange with UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders Andrea Bolaños Vargas on the deteriorating environment for Europe's human rights defenders. They face an alarming combination of funding shortages, crackdown and harassment, and restrictive laws. Read more on
- Inspired by the environmental #humanrights defenders and civil society actors I met at the first European Forum on #EHRDs. Their courage in exposing environmental harm offers hope for our planet. States have an obligation to ensure they can work freely and safely.
- At the first European Forum on Environmental #HumanRights Defenders, I joined the call for a Council of Europe legally binding instrument on the right to a healthy environment. Nothing less will match the urgency of the moment. Read my speech ⬇️ coe.int/en/web/commiss…
- Europe is at a pivotal crossroads for #HumanRights. In my newsletter for May 2026, I call for principled leadership to defend our shared values. ⬇️ nl.commissioner.coe.int/nl3/8PiyzTRD-M… #HumanRights #ECHR #migration #Ukraine #AIethics
- At @HealthyenvCoE event, I highlighted that the gravity of the environmental crisis demands a legally binding Council of Europe instrument recognising the right to a healthy environment. This step will advance human rights across the continent and light the way for global





















