Commissioner for Human Rights

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović has announced her decision to intervene in a case against jailed Turkish rights activist Osman Kaval before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

"And it has caused immense suffering and hardship to thousands of people who sought our protection.

Mijatovic was elected by Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) at its plenary session in Strasbourg, for a non-renewable term of six years starting on April 1, 2018, the CoE announced.

She obtained 107 of the votes cast in the second round, a relative majority. Pierre-Yves Le Borgn' (France) obtained 103 votes and Goran Klemencic (Slovenia) obtained 19 votes.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks says that the reconciliation process in the Western Balkans has stalled.

In his latest Human Rights Comment, Muiznieks also noted that ethnic divisions and polarization have been growing in the region.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks has called on the Ankara Governor’s Office to reverse a blanket ban on events organized by LGBTI NGOs “immediately,” calling it a “blatant human rights violation.”

It is difficult to believe that after Greece's judiciary offered protection to eight members of the Turkish military, rejecting Ankara's request for their extradition, the government would agree to the illegal, secret and inhuman expulsion of people who requested asylum here. Yet unease grows.

CoE Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks says he was "deeply concerned to learn that the Hungarian parliament approved a bill on border management."

In a statement on Wednesday, Muiznieks said the legislation was "likely to exacerbate the already highly problematic situation of asylum seekers in Hungary."

Turkish authorities must "change course" and reverse violations of media freedoms and the rule of law, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks said Feb. 15.

Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks says he remains concerned about the Slovenian Aliens Act.

In comments posted on Facebook and on his website, Muiznieks said:

Council of Europe (CoE) Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks has criticized the National Assembly of the Serb Republic (RS).

According to a statement from his office, the assembly has presented "convicted war criminals with appreciation certificates."