Commissioner for Human Rights

At the 2026 #OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum today in Paris, discussing what truly signals "trust" to investors & companies.

Anti-corruption efforts and human rights due diligence should be better aligned.

#OECDIntegrity #CSDDD #HumanRights

I urge all those involved in the Ukraine peace talks to keep in mind the human rights violations & human suffering brought about by Russia's occupation. Lasting peace cannot be achieved by sidelining victims & allowing gross violations of human rights.👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/commissioner-the-suffering-of-people-in-ukraine-s-temporarily-occupied-territories-should-not-be-ignored-in-peace-talks

L’extension par la France de l'applicabilité de la Charte sociale européenne aux Outre-mer est une décision forte pour garantir l’égalité en droit, quel que soit le lieu de résidence. #HLC_Chisinau2026

France’s decision to extend the applicability of the European Social Charter to its overseas territories is a significant step toward ensuring equality under the law, regardless of place of residence. #HLC_Chisinau2026

At today’s High-Level Conference on media literacy and information integrity in Chisinau, I laid out how a human rights-based approach can help build resilience against disinformation and FIMI. Read my full speech👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/what-would-a-human-rights-based-response-to-disinformation-and-information-manipulation-look-like-
#DemocraticPactforEurope

At the High-Level Conference on Social Rights in Chisinau, I invited states to consider three pledges.
We must bridge the gap between policy and the lived experience of people.
Read my speech 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/social-rights-bridging-the-gap-from-policy-to-people
#SocialRights #SocialCharter #HumanRights #HLC_Chisinau2026

Digitalising social welfare systems isn't just about "speed and efficiency". It is about the delivery of human rights.
I outlined 5 critical risk categories we must address to ensure technology empowers rather than marginalises.
Read my speech 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/protecting-human-rights-in-the-digitalisation-of-social-welfare-systems
#HumanRights #SocialRights #DigitalTransformation #HLCSocial2026

Europe is losing the fight against poverty, I warn jointly with the UNSR Poverty Olivier de Schutter. This is a systemic failure. Europe needs a shift to social protection as an investment, not a burden. We call for the adoption of rights-based anti-poverty strategies, based on European Social Charter commitments. Read our joint statement ahead of the High level @coe@mstdn.social Conference on social rights in Chisinau 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/social-rights-an-essential-component-of-the-fight-against-poverty
#SocialRights #HumanRights #EndChildPoverty #HLCSocial2026

Arrived in Chisinau amid the Nistru River pollution crisis caused by a Russian strike on Ukraine, seriously impacting Moldova’s potable water supply. War causes widespread environmental damage & endangers #HumanRights, in #Ukraine & across borders. Russia’s war against Ukraine must end.

On my way to the High-level Council of Europe Conference on Social Rights in Chisinau.

I’m looking forward to discussing how states can reconcile digital efficiency with their obligations to equality and human dignity and the need to implement human-rights centred policies to combat poverty.

#SocialRights #HumanRights #DigitalRights #EndChildPoverty #HLCSocial2026

Watch live👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-social-charter/high-level-conference-on-social-rights-18-19-march-2026-chisinau

Simplification of digital rules must not come at the expense of human rights safeguards. I warn against any attempt to make human rights secondary to deregulation. Read my Chair’s notes following a consultation with civil society experts on AI. 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/council-of-europe-commissioner-for-human-rights-warns-against-ai-deregulation

Outraged at the surge in antisemitic attacks on synagogues and Jewish community buildings across Europe, I condemn them unreservedly. Today I met with the Chief Rabbi of Strasbourg and Bas-Rhin, Harold-Abraham Weill, and other Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Mendel Samama, representative of the Conference of European Rabbis to the European institutions, to express my firm solidarity and support.

Pleased to welcome the heads of key institutions from the Netherlands: the Vice-President of the Council of State, the National Ombudsman, and the President of the Court of Auditors. We exchanged on important human rights developments in the Netherlands and Europe, including challenges to the #ECHR system.

Important meetings with several NHRIs and Ombudspersons this week. With IHREC Chief Commissioner, the Finnish Human Rights Centre Director, the Netherlands National Ombudsman and the Human Rights Ombudsman of Slovenia. We discussed current #HumanRights challenges and the ongoing debate on the European Convention on Human Rights system.

I call on National Human Rights Institutions and Ombudspersons to be ambassadors for the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights: assist your governments to ensure that the political declaration expected in May will not do harm and, at best, will constitute a timely affirmation of the importance of the Convention and of the work of the Court.

Read my speech at
#CouncilOfEurope ON Forum👇
https://coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/on-forum-commissioner-o-flaherty-calls-on-nhris-and-ombudspersons-to-be-national-ambassadors-for-the-convention-and-the-court

#NHRIs #ECHR #HumanRights
cc: ENNHRI / Equinet

Constructive meeting with Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of IHREC, on the human rights situation in Ireland and the ongoing debate on the European Convention on Human Rights system. #ECHR #HumanRights

In these tumultuous times, my focus is twofold: strengthening international ties from Brussels to Geneva and ensuring @coe@mstdn.social states recommit to human rights as the bedrock of the emerging global order.
From digital governance to protecting civil society and supporting Ukraine's peace process and recovery, read my February News Roundup for a deep dive into my recent work. 👇
https://nl.commissioner.coe.int/nl3/ozQgS3Ug35RCdf7m5_tUfQ
#CivilSociety #Ukraine #DigitalGovernance #ChildPoverty #RomaRights