Latest news with #MichaelO'Flaherty
Euronews
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Council of Europe alarmed by free speech curbs in Germany
The Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, has expressed serious concerns regarding the conduct of German authorities in response to pro-Gaza demonstrations. In a letter addressed to the German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, O'Flaherty highlighted what he perceives as infringements on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. 'Since February 2025, Berlin authorities have imposed restrictions on the use of the Arabic language and cultural symbols during protests. In certain instances, such as the demonstration held on 15 May 2025, marches were limited to static gatherings. Additionally, protestors have reportedly been subjected to intrusive surveillance—both online and in person—and arbitrary police checks,' O'Flaherty stated. The Commissioner also raised alarm over reports of disproportionate police violence during these events. 'I am deeply concerned by allegations of excessive force used by police against demonstrators, including minors, which in some cases led to injuries. The use of force by law enforcement must adhere to the principles of non-discrimination, legality, necessity, proportionality, and precaution,' he said. O'Flaherty has urged the German authorities to thoroughly investigate incidents of excessive force and to hold officers accountable where misconduct is found. He noted that police efforts to suppress Nakba Day commemorations—a remembrance of the 1948 displacement of Palestinians—were especially troubling. The Irish human rights advocate further pointed out that freedom of speech appears to be restricted within some German universities and cultural institutions. He cited reports of foreign nationals facing deportation following their involvement in pro-Gaza activities. 'I am concerned by indications that the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is being interpreted by some German authorities in a manner that equates any criticism of Israel with antisemitism,' O'Flaherty wrote. Tensions have run high in Germany since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, with frequent clashes at pro-Palestinian rallies. During the Nakba protest in mid-May, demonstrators were heard chanting slogans such as 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'—phrasing considered antisemitic under German law. The event saw several injuries as confrontations escalated. In April, five students were arrested during a protest at Humboldt University for chanting anti-Israeli slogans. German police have also taken action against demonstrators displaying banned symbols, including altered Hamas slogans. Bill Gates will visit Brussels next week to participate in a Gavi vaccine alliance summit together with EU leaders to pledge provision of vaccine purchases for developing countries in an event co-hosted by The Gates Foundation and the European Union. The goal of the event is to collect €9 billion between 2026 and 2030. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will likely represent the EU at the event. Gavi is a global vaccine alliance bringing together public and private actors that help vaccinate more than half the world's children against some of the deadliest diseases. The Gates Foundation, alongside the European Union, is its biggest sponsor. Gavi intends to immunise at least 500 million children in the next five years. This, according to their press release, would save 8-9 million lives. It is not immediately clear how much the EU will contribute to this plan financially. The EU has provided €3.2 billion in financing to Gavi since 2003. There was enhanced cooperation between the two during the coronavirus pandemic in the COVAX programme. EU institutions together with individual member states have also contributed €2.55 billion to Gavi's programmes, amounting to one third of the budget of the campaign. 'When the Gates Foundation made its first investment in Gavi 25 years ago, I couldn't have predicted the extraordinary impact it would have on combatting infectious diseases, lifting up economies and saving lives,' said Bill Gates in a press release announcing the summit in Brussels. "Together with Gavi, we have the goal to vaccinate 500 million children by 2030. That is why the European Union is proud to co-host Gavi's High-Level Pledging Summit in Brussels. Our support will remain steadfast,' von der Leyen is cited in the release as saying. Besides the Gavi's pledging summit, Bill Gates will also have other agenda items in Brussels, participating on Tuesday in a debate with MEPs on the European Parliament's Development Committee. The discussion will focus on assistance and innovation as drivers for improving health and living standards in the Global South. The press release of the Parliament adds that several international donors, like the United States and several EU countries, are cutting their aid budgets.
DW
15 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Europe rights chief flags Germany's Gaza protest response – DW – 06/19/2025
Skip next section Council of Europe raises concerns over Germany's handling of Gaza protests 06/19/2025 June 19, 2025 Council of Europe raises concerns over Germany's handling of Gaza protests The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty expressed concern to German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt about freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Germany over protests related to the war in Gaza. In a letter dated June 6 but made public Thursday , he cited reports of police using excessive force against demonstrators, including minors. "The use of force by law enforcement officials including during protests must comply with the principles of non-discrimination, legality, necessity and proportionality, and precaution," he wrote. O'Flaherty also noted that restrictions on events, symbols, or other forms of expression in this context. He said governments have very limited grounds to restrict political speech or public debate, unless it incites violence, and must assess each case individually. The human rights commissioner also pointed to reports that Germany justified some restrictions on rights as part of an effort to prevention of antisemitism. "I note with concern reports indicating that the working definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has been interpreted by some German authorities in ways which lead to the blanket classification of criticism of Israel as antisemitic," he said. "In that regard, I urge you to be vigilant that the IHRA working definition is not distorted, instrumentalised or misapplied to stifle freedom of expression and legitimate criticism, including of the state of Israel." DW has requested comment from Dobrindt and will update this story if a response is received. The Council of Europe is a Strasbourg-based international human rights organization that protects human rights, democracy and the rule of law. It is not a part of the European Union. Silent protest: Dancing for Iran To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Leading Irish human rights activist calls on politicians to 'push back' against hatred of LGBT+ people
Politicians must not 'turn a blind eye' to anti-LGBT+ hate because doing so comes at the 'expense of real people's lives', a leading human rights activist has said. Speaking 10 years on from Ireland's landmark marriage equality referendum, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights Michael O'Flaherty said the rule of law was in a 'very poor state or in decline in far too many places here in Europe and beyond' and it was 'time to push back'. In his speech in Malta at a key European forum, the Irish man stressed laws and rhetoric were stripping basic human rights from LGBT+ people by banning protest, recognition, and even discussion of their existence. 'I think also of the perverse backlash against gender identity, in a manner that is both in violation of international law, and in defiance of human realities,' Mr O'Flaherty said. As you well know, these are just some of the manifestations of the current LGBTI-related assaults on the rule of law. He linked repressive measures in countries with bids to attain or retain political power, and said countries were using 'populist tools that draw on disinformation and misinformation' that 'scapegoat marginalised groups'. 'We hear lies about not only our contemporary world, but also about our histories and our cultures,' he said. "And all of this is sometimes exacerbated when otherwise law-abiding leaders stay silent, or compromise in the interests of deal-making or coalition-building." Mr O'Flaherty said that these attacks were not isolated but signal deeper democratic backsliding and political opportunism. He called on political leaders to repeal discriminatory laws, call out hate and prioritise LGBT+ rights in foreign policy matters. 'States also need to be very consequent in ensuring that reforms to migration law and practice do not expose LGBTI people to danger, including the risk of refoulement,' he added. Mr O'Flaherty's speech came as Ireland marks 10 years since a referendum backed marriage equality for same-sex couples. Writing in the Sunday Times at the weekend, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he believed there would be a 'much harsher debate' if the referendum was to have run in 2025. On Monday, the Labour Party changed the venue for its event to mark the 10th anniversary over what it referred to as the 'serious threat of protest from the far right'. Its TD for Limerick City said he would not feel comfortable holding the hand of a loved one in public, due to an increased level of toxicity towards LGBT+ people in Ireland. Conor Sheehan described the amount of homophobic abuse he receives as being 'absolutely unbelievable'. 'I suppose, as an openly LGBT member of the Oireachtas, I think it's important to reflect that things for LGBT people in the last couple of years have become more uncertain and more unsafe. That's something that we need to reflect upon as a society as we move forward,' Mr Sheehan said. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable walking around Dublin City, or any city, in Ireland holding, for example, the hand of a loved one or of a partner or whatever. 'I don't think we were at this juncture 10 years ago.' He said there had been a 'conscious effort' across Europe and the US by some actors to unpick 'hard-won rights' for LGBT+ people. 'That's something I believe we need to stand firm about because we live in an open, tolerant, compassionate society. 'The vast, vast majority of Irish people are open, tolerant and compassionate and I don't want to live in a society where any sort of hate, regardless of who it's directed towards, becomes sort of tolerated.'
Euronews
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Europe's human rights watchdog urges Greece to end 'pushbacks' of migrants
ADVERTISEMENT Greece has been urged to implement stronger legal safeguards at its borders and adopt a "zero-tolerance approach to summary returns" as reports of illegal deportations of migrants continue in the face of mounting international criticism, the Council of Europe (CoE) has said. Michael O'Flaherty, the CoE's commissioner for human rights, issued the recommendations following a visit to Greece in February. "The commissioner is concerned about the allegations received during his visit regarding persistent practices of summary returns — also referred to as 'pushbacks' or 'informal forced returns' — at both land and maritime borders," a memorandum said. "Returning people without carrying out an individual identification procedure prevents member states from establishing whether they may be sending them back to human rights abuses." Migrants accompanied by a Frontex vessel at the village of Skala Sikaminias on the Greek island of Lesbos, 28 February, 2020 AP Photo But the statement added that O'Flaherty had noted that the number of allegations had dropped in recent months. Athens has consistently denied the pushback allegations, maintaining that its border control measures comply with international law. In a written response to the commissioner, Greek Police said its officers are involved only in the "lawful prevention of illegal border crossings while migrants are still in Turkish territory and have not yet reached Greece." Related Local residents mobilise to help survivors of deadly migrant shipwreck off Greek coast Greek coast guard defends actions as up to 500 migrants feared dead in shipwreck 'After the explosion': Migrant arrivals plummet in Greece The pushback allegations gained legal significance after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece in January, finding that Athens had violated European human rights conventions by systematically expelling migrants without due process. Meanwhile, the Greek government is tightening its migration policies. Migration Minister Makis Voridis has announced plans to extend the maximum detention period for rejected asylum seekers from 18 to 24 months. "The illegal migrant whose asylum application is rejected and who nevertheless does not leave for his country will face a much more unfavourable institutional environment than exists today — essentially to encourage voluntary departure," Voridis told the Action 24 TV news channel. Members of Frontex rescue 56 people who were lost in open seas as they tried to approach the Greek island of Lesbos, 8 December, 2015 AP Photo On Tuesday, the coast guard reported rescuing 158 migrants from three dinghies south of the island of Crete, with assistance from nearby commercial vessels and Frontex, the EU's border protection agency. Last month, Frontex also said it was investigating multiple alleged human rights violations by Greece in the way it deals with illegal immigration. Frontex said it is looking into 12 alleged serious incidents that mostly occurred in 2024 but gave no further details. A spokesperson for the agency, Chris Borowski, said it had recently boosted its complaint mechanism. ADVERTISEMENT "There are currently 12 active serious incident reports related to Greece under review by the Fundamental Rights Office. Each is being examined thoroughly," he said.
06-05-2025
- Politics
Europe's human rights watchdog urges Greece to end summary deportation of migrants
ATHENS, Greece -- ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece was urged Tuesday to implement stronger legal safeguards at its borders and adopt a 'zero-tolerance approach to summary returns" as reports of illegal deportations of migrants continue despite mounting international criticism. Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, issued the recommendations following a visit to Greece in February. 'The commissioner is concerned about the allegations received during his visit regarding persistent practices of summary returns — also referred to as 'pushbacks' or 'informal forced returns' — at both land and maritime borders,' the Council of Europe memorandum said. 'Returning people without carrying out an individual identification procedure prevents member states from establishing whether they may be sending them back to human rights abuses,' it added. It said O'Flaherty noted that the number of allegations had dropped in recent months. Athens has consistently denied the pushback allegations, maintaining that its border control measures comply with international law. In a written response to the commissioner, the Greek Police said its officers are involved only in the 'lawful prevention of illegal border crossings while migrants are still in Turkish territory and have not yet reached Greece.' The pushback allegations gained legal significance after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece in January, finding that Athens had violated European human rights conventions by systematically expelling migrants without due process. The Greek government is tightening its migration policies. Migration Minister Makis Voridis has announced plans to extend the maximum detention period for rejected asylum seekers from 18 month to 24 months. 'The illegal migrant whose asylum application is rejected and who nevertheless does not leave for his country will face a much more unfavorable institutional environment than exists today — essentially to encourage voluntary departure,' Voridis told the Action 24 TV news channel. On Tuesday, the coast guard reported rescuing 158 migrants from three dinghies south of the island of Crete, with assistance from nearby commercial vessels and Frontex, the European Union's border protection agency. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, the Council of Europe is an international organization dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It has 46 member states.
