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IRISH HUMAN RIGHTS lawyer Michael O’Flaherty has been elected as the next Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights.
He was elected this evening after he successfully won over 50% of the vote at the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, France, where he competed against Bulgaria’s Megleva Kuneva and Austria’s Manfred Nowak.
The appointment has been welcomed by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister of State for European Affairs Peter Burke.
O’Flaherty, a leading international human rights solicitor, previously served as Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights between 2015 to 2023.
Academically, O’Flaherty holds a Professorship of Human Rights Law from University of Nottingham and the National University of Ireland Galway. He also served as the Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland.
This evening the Tánaiste said: “Professor O’Flaherty has served with great distinction in several high level positions in the field of human rights and his election as Commissioner is a mark of the high regard in which he is held.
Martin added that he believes O’Flaherty’s “extensive human rights expertise” and qualities of leadership, courage, integrity and resilience, are “qualities that will benefit him as he takes up his new role”.
Among his years of work with the United Nations, he most notably was appointed as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission between 2011 and 2013 and as a member of the UN Human Rights Committee between 2004 to 2012.
“The office of Commissioner is central to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. Never have these ideals and principles been more important,” Martin said.
Junior minister for Europe Peter Burke said: “His attachment to the values of the Council of Europe are undeniable and Ireland is proud to have supported his candidacy for the position.”
Earlier, before the vote took place, O’Flaherty was fixed for pole position after unsuccessful voting proved him as the lead contester for the position ahead of his Bulgarian and Austrian counterparts.
Despite the strong lead, O’Flaherty took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: “Regardless of today’s outcome I have the deepest respect for Meglena and Manfred, my competitors for the post. We are united in our commitment to uphold human rights in Europe.”
O’Flaherty has previously been a strong voice to criticise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stand up for migrants fleeing global conflicts and international women’s rights.
His TedTalk in Varese, Italy last year, about how the world should place “human rights at the heart of our actions”, spoke about how to renew the “centrality of human rights” amid war in Ukraine and in a post-pandemic landscape.
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This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work are the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.
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Before the negative comments start I’d like to say I think I’m the midst of these extraordinary circumstances I think our government is doing extremely well in coping with the virus. It’s far to easy for any of us to use this as an opportunity to throw out cheap shots and be critical. We know nothing of what it must be like to make such crucial decisions that will never be able to please or serve all of the people but have to made regardless.
@2thFairy: The only negative comment I have is about Trump thinking Dublin airport was in UK,did I read the article properly?
The Government ‘s emergency packages and all the political leaders including FG’s leader,their health Spokesperson and experts holding regular meetings re Convid19 ,etc has been reassuring to the public.Legislation will be needed to be passed in thee Dail asap.
Thanks too to all the Convid19 testing staff, laboratories,nurses, doctors,etc,those involved in contact tracing,etc.for all your work.
@2thFairy: In fairness those arguments could be made about every single situation a government faces.
Let’s see what happens in a few weeks.
Our health service has been untouched or reformed – by government choice – for the last decade. And cannot cope with a potentially serious crisis. That’s on Leo.
Our economy is extremely exposed thanks to enormous debt and poor fiscal management. It won’t withstand a major economic shock. That’s on Leo and co.
If this goes badly it’s the last decade of stupidity that will make it worse.
Just like the two decades of ignorance leading up to the global economic crisis made it
So much worse
@Shazam37: what planet have you just landed from
@damien ryan: he’s perfectly right
@Shazam37: I agree with you 100%
Though I would never say it but Leo and his top government ministers are playing a blinder…Trump on the other hand God help America!!
@Pat Lonergan: pffft. A blinder my foot. Statements are easy to make. Let’s see how things play out and judge them then.
Irish – so easily led by deeply average speeches.
@Pat Lonergan: what by doing now what should have been done a week ago, he’s a fo0l
Leo doing Ireland proud abroad!
Maybe Leo’s Indian heritage confused the president but the head flick howiya is a distinctly Irish greeting.
Fake leader, more important than being at home with the country in panic. Absolute dope.
@A Cos: What a stupid uninformed thing to say.
@A Cos: You’re being too hard on Trumpy.
@A Cos: these interactions with major trading partners are an essential part of the job. US FDI companies provide a significant number of well-paid jobs here, and Ireland has traditionally used March 17 to maintain an unprecedented level.of access to the Oval Office.
He’s earning his salary this week with these meetings, and still managing to stay on top of issues at home.
Give the guy a break, even if you dislike him for political reasons.
@A Cos: you have just delivered such an uneducated and immature comment.
@John Mulligan: very well said.
@Earth Traveller: That will go so over his head!!
@Pat Lonergan: the Leo lover crew out in force I see. We gave never had a bad relationship with the US in the history of the state, if you honestly believe that a man flying over for a photo op on Paddys weekend is the only reason we have a good relationship with the US well then you are the person who might have comments go over your head
@A Cos: another uneducated comment.
@John Mulligan: as I’ve said earlier, this whole agenda is unprecedented in our history. Do you honestly believe that these yearly photo ops are the reason we have good trade relationships with the US. Do you think if Leo had said, look Donald things are getting serious now, I need to be at home with my people. I’m sure as volatile as Trump is he would not shut the borders a d trade deals to Ireland
@2thFairy: any other input person with anonymous profile?
@A Cos: he is playing a blinder on this virus. Appropriate action at the right time. Look past your inner twisted gizzards and try find some good.
@A Cos: “trade deal with Ireland” .. lol … sweet mother of God.. are you completely ignorant of the EU and trade?
@Pat Lonergan: did you just say ” will so go over his head?” Wow!
@A Cos: to be fair they get more than a photo op. How many world leaders get an annual one on one with POtUS? Their entourages get access. They meet congressional leaders and influential people at lunches etc.
It gives us access most other countries would kill
For. Let’s not down play the significance of it.
I wonder how much did this cost us in spin doctors fees?
While going through customs in Dublin airport trump praised the UK for its strong border!!!am I missing something here
It that two nice bowls of Shamrock on the mantlepiece??
Our smug Taoiseach has stated we have never had a pandemic like this in living history.
What about the spainish fly 1918 that killed 100m.
1968 flu pandemics killed 1m world wide.
H1N1 more commonly known as the flu they say the same.
Take same precautions washing hands etc, can be caught the same way etc.
Symptoms the same.
There seems to be a lot of scaremongering going on. Which makes Irish people more irrational than usual!
However swine flu with about 150,000–575,000 fatalities
Hahaha all the ffg bum L1ckers on looking for any little thing to try repair their failed masters reputation. They’ve done nothing all year but make complete fools out of themselves, bots and masters alike
Would have thought the Donald would be more into a nod of the head accompanied by a swift click of the heels,…
#ABT2020
Did Leo have crazy green socks on?
Bit of tromboning
Hi boys
see the first post on my twitter…
only 18+
@Annaa69: you’re alright
Please self-isolate as Trump met with someone from Brazil last week who has been tested positive for covid-19!
have your say