Commissioner for Human Rights

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.

Strengthening human rights requires stronger alliances. Insightful exchange with @worldeconomicforum@kilogram.makeup Andrew Caruana Galizia on aligning business conduct with international #HumanRights standards.
Smart tech regulation isn't a barrier - it protects people and fosters trust, resilience and long-term competitiveness. Human rights and rule of law are not a constraint on markets - they are the bedrock of stability.

Today in Geneva, with UN experts, state representatives, and Roma #HumanRights defenders from across Europe and the Americas we marked #Durban25. We stressed the need to confront the persistent scourge of antigypsyism and the discriminations that Roma and Traveller communities face.
#RomaRights #HRC61

Inspiring exchange of views with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric on the centrality of human dignity as the basis for all human rights and humanitarian work.

🗓️ JOIN US TODAY Feb 26 | 12pm
I'm bringing together UN experts, state representatives and Roma #HumanRights defenders from Europe and the Americas to discuss the fight against antigypsyism and chart a path forward.
💻Join us online: https://bit.ly/HRCSideEventRomaRights
❔More info https://bit.ly/RomaHRC61 #RomaRights #HumanRights #HRC61

Mission to Geneva continues. Rich exchanges with Ambassador Thomas Greminger on integrating human rights into Ukraine's peace processes, and with Australia's Special Envoy Mark Dreyfus KC on their role in supporting Ukraine and on navigating the current strains on international human rights frameworks.

How do we protect the future of Europe’s human rights system? By being legal, factual, firm, and transparent. In my video address to the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) today, I called for an evidence-based approach that upholds the universality of rights and the independence of the European Court of #HumanRights. We must move beyond political considerations and confusion and return to principled legal analysis. #ECHR @coe@mstdn.social 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/legal-factual-firm-and-transparent-safeguarding-the-future-of-europe-s-human-rights-system-commissioner-to-cddh

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: Tomorrow, Feb 26 | 12pm
I'm bringing together UN experts, state representatives and Roma #HumanRights defenders from Europe and the Americas to discuss the fight against antigypsyism and chart a path forward.
💻Join us online: https://bit.ly/HRCSideEventRomaRights
❔More info: https://go.coe.int/VP5Ii
#RomaRights #HumanRights #HRC61

Valuable first meeting with ITU Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin. We talked about the importance for regional and global alignment on #AI governance grounded in #HumanRights principles.

Exchange on wide ranging topics with Volker Türk. We covered the situation of human rights in Europe, including the need to embed human rights in peace processes for Ukraine and for continued support to the European Convention on Human Rights. Protecting the Convention system is more vital than ever.

#humanrights #ECHR #Ukraine #peace

In a letter to Iceland’s Parliament, I encouraged amending the “Departure Centre” bill to avoid detaining children based on their or their parents’ migration status and to require non-custodial measures instead. 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/iceland-commissioner-encourages-amending-the-bill-on-departure-centre-to-avoid-detention-of-children

The UK government’s new child poverty strategy has the potential to provide a sea change in addressing the ongoing crisis. In my memorandum, I urge its full implementation and outline the steps still needed to address the root causes and ensure no child is left behind. Read my recommendations 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/united-kingdom-council-of-europe-commissioner-welcomes-recent-policies-to-address-child-poverty-urges-their-full-implementation

Very pleased to meet today with the Chair of the @EP_HumanRights@respublicae.eu
@mounirsatouri@respublicae.eu We reaffirmed our partnership and shared resolve to stand with the people of Ukraine and to defend #HumanRights across Europe. In the face of current challenges, we remain fully committed to upholding democracy and human dignity.

At the European Parliament #DROI Committee, I highlighted the #HumanRights risks of externalising migration policy. From asylum procedures to return hubs and border management, we cannot ignore the documented violations and risks.
We need a precautionary approach that puts human dignity first. Read my introductory remarks 👇 https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/neither-innovative-nor-smart-externalisation-as-a-migration-policy-path-of-human-rights-risk

Constructive meetings with Brussels-based civil society organisations on key developments impacting #HumanRights in the #EU and its member states. Civil society’s role in monitoring and shaping policy and legislation remains crucial.

Several European countries are considering social media bans for children. We must regulate platforms, not children. We must shift the burden of safety from the children to the corporations that profit from the environment. I urge caution: ✅ Focus on "safety by design" ✅ Demand algorithmic transparency ✅ Enforce the #DSA & #HumanRights standards ✅ Consult experts, civil society and children Read my Shout Out👇 https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/regulate-platforms-not-children-council-of-europe-commissioner-for-human-rights-urges-caution-over-social-media-bans

#Hungary: The prosecution of activist Géza Buzás-Hábel for organising the 2025 Pécs Pride marks a new step in the restriction of assembly. Charges should be dropped. The crackdowns on the right to gather peacefully and express dissent should be reversed.👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/hungary-crackdowns-on-peaceful-assembly-must-be-reversed

Wrapping up the Munich Security Conference 2026 with a clear message: Europe is at its strongest when human rights are at the core of all our efforts. Human dignity isn't an add-on; it's the beating heart of everything. National security succeeds when we uphold the rule of law and the human rights roadmap. Our stability & prosperity depend on human rights being carried forward as a foundational pillar of the new global order #HumanDimension #humanrights #Security #Ukraine #AI #Climate #MSC2026

Productive meeting today at #MSC2026 with Vanuatu’s climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu on turning the 2025 ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change into robust action and state accountability. States have to protect human rights and climate safety for all through fact-based policy. The International Court of Justice provided the legal blueprint, states now have to provide the political will.
#humanrights #security

A productive first day at #MSC2026. I had extensive meetings on embedding #HumanRights into the heart of #Ukraine’s peace pathways.
Heartened by the growing recognition that conflict resolution and European #security can only succeed when human dignity and the "human dimension" are at the centre of all our efforts.

For more on this, read my memorandum on human rights elements for peace in Ukraine 👇
https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/war-in-ukraine-commissioner-calls-for-putting-human-rights-at-the-heart-of-discussions-around-peace

Bosnia and Herzegovina: I am deeply concerned by recent statements from highest political leaders in the Republika Srpska that risk fuelling hate and intolerance against Bosniaks, increasing inter-ethnic tensions and endangering peace. 👇 https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/bosnia-and-herzegovina-politicians-in-republika-srpska-should-refrain-from-hateful-speech