Michael O'Flaherty
@MichaelCJT
Followers
7,203
Following
2,102
Media
608
Statuses
5,298
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. All posts on this account are personal. Official account: @CommissionerHR
Strasbourg, France
Joined June 2012
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
어린이날
• 536406 Tweets
こどもの日
• 501971 Tweets
#EğitimHaykırıyorTekinistifa
• 158199 Tweets
子供の日
• 136599 Tweets
#光る君へ
• 106150 Tweets
Mülakatsız68binAtamaistiyoruz
• 85104 Tweets
#ขวัญฤทัยEP12
• 79520 Tweets
GW最終日
• 72762 Tweets
予選突破
• 47466 Tweets
Al Jazeera
• 35248 Tweets
#CHEWHU
• 31796 Tweets
Happy Easter
• 29874 Tweets
Cole Palmer
• 28978 Tweets
Noni
• 28043 Tweets
Gallagher
• 20816 Tweets
柱稽古編
• 19825 Tweets
BINGLING THROUGH IT
• 19188 Tweets
سعد اللذيذ
• 16561 Tweets
Santner
• 15731 Tweets
四塩化一黄酸
• 15681 Tweets
GW終わり
• 15044 Tweets
Kerem Shalom
• 12131 Tweets
#فيصل_ابورميه_المطيري_58
• 11760 Tweets
Madueke
• 11515 Tweets
Happy Cinco de Mayo
• 10711 Tweets
蜜璃ちゃん
• 10065 Tweets
I’m stepping into big shoes. Thank you
@CommissionerHR
for the warm welcome today!
Very pleased to welcome my successor Michael O'Flaherty
@MichaelCJT
who will take on the mandate of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights promoting
#HumanRights
in Europe as of 1 April.
#HumanRightsForAll
25
39
188
43
27
330
My statement of today on the UK Rwanda Bill
I have serious
#HumanRights
concerns about United Kingdom’s
#RwandaBill
. Its adoption by the UK Parliament raises major issues about the rights of
#asylum
seekers and the
#RuleOfLaw
.
👉
30
424
628
6
61
153
If you have 12 minutes to spare - my new TED talk on human rights.
How we can place human rights at the heart of our actions | Michael O' F... via
@YouTube
21
35
112
The last moments of my last attendance at a meeting of the Management Board of
@EURightsAgency
I leave with a heavy heart but greatly encouraged by the wonderful choice of my successor
@sirpa_rautio
5
3
104
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.
10
7
103
I’m looking forward to travel to Helsinki for Council of Europe conference on the impact of artificial intelligence for Europe’s core values of human rights, democracy and rule of law. Event could not be more timely.
@EURightsAgency
@CoE_HRightsRLaw
@Dunja_Mijatovic
@davidakaye
4
23
72
On my way back to Dublin after 8 exhilarating years at
@EURightsAgency
and a wonderful send off last night. I’ll miss all my amazing and talented colleagues - but it is time for the next chapter.
7
1
73
I was a UN human rights monitor in Bosnia in 1993 and 1994 and our reports - which we often thought were falling on deaf ears - have been cited extensively by the
@ICTYnews
prosecutors: Mladic verdict is a reminder of the value of the human rights field work of
@UNHumanRights
“I would like to recognize the extraordinary dedication of all those at
@ICTYnews
& beyond who have contributed to the delivery of justice in this and other cases brought before the Tribunal” –
@UNHumanRights
Chief
#Zeid
on the
#Mladic
verdict
3
57
77
0
29
67
My first mission travel as Commissioner - I am on the second of a three day visit to Ukraine to better understand how I can support respect for the human rights of all Ukrainian children and adults, wherever they are.
On second day in Ukraine, I paid respect to victims in Bucha & visited a destroyed school. Also held talks with Minister of Justice
@minjust_gov_ua
, Prosecutor General
@AndriyKostinUa
& others on the
#humanrights
of children & of all victims of the aggression
3
6
27
3
4
60
I wrapped up three invaluable days of induction at
@coe
in an excellent meeting with
@MarijaPBuric
. My thanks to
@CommissionerHR
for hosting me. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running on 1 April!
0
1
52
The Soviet War Memorial looms over the trees in front of my office window. On my arrival to work this morning I saw painters finishing off a new backdrop.
1
10
49
We must keep returning to the fact that
#humanrights
are not a voluntary code, but are enshrined in
#EU
& international law
#rightsreport17
1
43
48
#StandUp4HumanRights
with me and
@unitednationshumanrights
. I nominate
@Dunja_Mijatovic
,
@helenadalli
and
@LoraVidovi
to join in this challenge, and invite you all to do the same.
#RecoverBetter
#BeHopeful
7
7
44
At the end of a short visit to
@coe
I am fortunate to attend the address of
@PresidentIRL
to
@PACE_News
- powerful words about the fundamental importance of human rights for our societies
6
5
45
A beautiful morning in Vienna for the start of @
#RightsForum24
The team at
@EURightsAgency
have put together an amazing program
What will we learn at the
#EURightsAgency
#RightsForum24
?
Follow the panellists as they take stock of the thematic discussions & underline the role
#HumanRights
play in shaping our European societies.
Register here:
0
2
8
2
6
44
I am appalled by the dreadful attacks in New Zealand -my deepest sympathies go to victims, their families and all New Zealanders. Hatred of and hate crime against Muslims is a global issue.
@EURightsAgency
will continue to work for an EU in which Muslims can live without fear.
4
14
43
A fantastic welcome today at
@PaveePoint
in Dublin. They do amazing work and can count on the support of
@EURightsAgency
2
14
41
I am deeply shocked by the heinous attack in Vienna. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and those who were injured. Fear and hate have no place in Europe.
2
7
38
Our first ever
@EURightsAgency
on-line Management Board Meeting comes to an end. The moment to thank the outgoing Chair
@sirpa_rautio
and other departing board members who have contributed generously and expertly to the FRA.
1
3
38
I am greatly saddened at the death of Sir Nigel Rodley. Nigel was a peerless human rights scholar and defender. He will be greatly missed.
1
21
37
On 18 January
@EURightsAgency
will release a report ‘Challenges facing civil society organizations working on human rights in the EU’
And here is the text of our joint Statement on
#HumanRights
- fighting shrinking space for
#civilsociety
0
8
9
0
37
36
In shadow of yesterday's barbaric killing in Malta I addressed EU foreign ministers on vital role of media for rule of law
@EURightsAgency
0
23
38
The Irish ☘️ gang at
@EURightsAgency
with Minister for Europe
@HMcEntee
and
@IrlEmbVienna
- wishing you all a very Happy St Patrick’s Day !
0
3
35
Spent this afternoon at the fascinating exhibition of ‘tronie’ paintings at
@NGIreland
These sensitive respectful portraits honour the dignity and individuality of each of the sitters. A good experience/reminder on the day before I take up my new role as
@CommissionerHR
2
2
33
Great meeting today with
#WebSummit
founder
@paddycosgrave
about future cooperation to strengthen the human rights/tech cooperation
0
5
32
Speaking just now at EU Justice Ministers' meeting. I said I’m more concerned about the situation of human/fundamental rights protection than any other time in past 30 years. I suggested action to take in justice sector.
@EURightsAgency
1
7
34
This was my final mission travel as
@EURightsAgency
director. What an honour to spend it with so many brave and principled human rights defenders.
I’ve spent the last few days in Kiev as guest of
@lubinetzs
and to participate in the major
#UDHR75
event that he hosted. An important opportunity to listen and to present
@EURightsAgency
work for Ukrainians in EU.
0
0
7
4
3
34
What a great choice - congratulations
@sirpa_rautio
. You will be a great leader of this first-rate agency!
We have the great pleasure to announce that
@sirpa_rautio
will become the new
#EURightsAgency
Director in 2024.
Her depth of
#HumanRights
knowledge & experience will guide the Agency over the coming years.
For more, see:
38
39
182
0
2
34
I had a very useful first meeting this morning with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Bachelet - I Look forward to ongoing and strengthened cooperation of
@EURightsAgency
and
@UNHumanRights
0
7
32
First Dublin Christmas in many a year. Vienna was sedate by comparison!
2
1
33
What can be done to make human rights popular again : Facebook live on 6 March 2018
5
22
29
I am honored today in Vienna to deliver the keynote address at
@osce_odihr
Human Dimension Meeting. I’ll speak on the vital role played by civil society for thriving democratic and rights-respecting communities
@EURightsAgency
1
3
30
Today at
#EUchildforum
I will speak about the unacceptable levels of child poverty in EU, the plight of migrant children and need to combat violence against children.
Looking forward to 2 days of high-level debate on
#childrights
at
#EUchildforum
on where we stand and the road ahead 🛣️
@MichaelCJT
will speak about how to tackle various child rights protection challenges.
Watch the event live from 9 CET!
🖥️
4
22
48
0
9
30
Meeting of EU Justice Ministers gets underway in Helsinki. Important agenda on ‘the future of justice’: items include rule of law and criminal law detention.
@EURightsAgency
@EU2019FI
2
8
29
Strengthening
#childprotection
systems will help take better care of
#migrant
children and also support their
#integration
#rightsreport17
1
21
26
We at
@EURightsAgency
are today launching our in-depth study on the role of national human rights institutions (like human rights commissions) and how to strengthen them. As a former human rights commissioner (
@NIHRC
) I am very glad we did this work.
💬
#NHRIs
too often cannot deliver on their true potential, says FRA's
@MichaelCJT
. Governments & Parliaments should free NHRIs from unnecessary constraints & grant them the power & resources to do their job properly.
📙Our
#StrengthenNHRIs
report has more:
8
21
31
0
6
25
I’m honored to address today’s Vienna meeting of the European Presidents Conference - leaders of lawyers associations in over 40 countries. Topic: Rule of Law. I will argue that lawyers are not just officers of the courts but also their guardians and defenders.
@EURightsAgency
0
8
25
Are you also concerned about
#humanrights
in the EU?
Then I want to hear YOUR views.
Join me at the
#RightsDialogue
on 13 November, as I listen to YOUR questions & suggestions on protecting
#fundamentalrights
!
Looking forward to it!
👉
1
16
26
"Prawa człowieka często postrzega się jako abstrakcyjne. Ale zagrożenia są jak najbardziej konkretne" -
@UAM_Poznan
0
11
25
Here is the link to my lecture delivered yesterday, Human Rights Day, at Leiden University.
How can we boost
#HumanRights
?
#EURightsAgency
Director
@MichaelCJT
in his
#HumanRightsDay
@LeidenLaw
lecture says:
1 get back to the law
2 evidence our claims
3 go local
4 get the message across
5 build alliances
6 human rights education
Full speech here:
4
3
13
1
5
25
Joining the
@UNHumanRights
#HRC38
debate on how best to support
#civilsociety
organisations working on
#HumanRights
.
@EURightsAgency
work in this area provides concrete recommendations for the
#EU
.
3
7
24
My new TEDx talk..,
“All human beings are born free & equal in dignity & in rights. For me these words are a fact, a vision & a challenge,” said
#EURightsAgency
's
@MichaelCJT
at
@TEDxVarese
where he shared his vision of a more inclusive & sustainable future.
Watch here:
6
9
23
0
3
25
We at
@EURightsAgency
are mourning our dear team member Unai Leva who has passed away. We are all enriched by having known so good-natured, enthusiastic and motivated a colleague. He will be missed.
3
3
25
On 23 January the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will elect the successor to
@CommissionerHR
The stakes for this election could hardly be higher. I am one of the three shortlisted candidates. Learn more about me and my views at
2
9
24
What a great celebration of the diversity that we should treasure!
@EURightsAgency
@dipforequality
#ViennaPride
0
0
7
0
3
24
On 15 December I ended my mandate as director of
@EURightsAgency
My colleagues gave me a wonderful send off. Here are my farewell remarks:
2
1
23
It was my great honour to be received in audience by the Grand Duke this morning at the beginning of my visit to Luxembourg
23 février 2021 – Le Chef de l’État a reçu en audience M. O’Flaherty, directeur
@EURightsAgency
pour échanger sur le rôle de l’agence dans la protection et promotion des droits fondamentaux des citoyens 🇪🇺 avant d’aborder les futurs défis à relever. ©MGD
1
7
35
0
2
23
Change of mindset needed to communicate
#humanrights
: add emotion to facts to reach the disengaged. FRA paper
#efa17
0
34
23
My sincere best wishes and those of everyone at
@EURightsAgency
to Dunja as she takes up office. We look forward to maintaining and deepening already great relations with Council of Europe Commissioner. We share the goal of ever strengthened human rights protection.
2
6
22
Today in Vienna we at
@EURightsAgency
had valuable meetings on migration and fundamental rights with
@YlvaJohansson
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Marko Gaspelin, Chair of the Management Board of
@Frontex
1
12
22
It was not really intended to be my ‘wrap-up’ speech but this short address of a few few weeks ago captures some core elements of my work as director of
@EURightsAgency
- a mandate that will end on Friday.
#ICYMI
FRA Director
@MichaelCJT
underlined the need for solidarity, shared responsibility & dialogue among all human rights actors to rise to current challenges, during the
@PolandMFA
’s
#HumanRights
seminar.
For his full speech see:
2
5
13
1
4
22
A sad day for human rights defenders everywhere. Asma taught us so much about courage, integrity, perseverance- and the value of a sense of humor.
@EURightsAgency
Such sad news. The world is a sadder, lesser place today. An incredibly brave and principled woman and human rights campaigner.
@URGthinktank
@ahmedshaheed
1
11
18
0
9
21
Waiting my turn to speak at today’s informal meeting of EU Home Affairs Ministers in Bucharest
@Eu2019Ro
@EURightsAgency
2
2
20
I chanced today on an interesting exhibition in Vienna on the ‘wild geese’ - the Irish migrants who spread out across Europe over the centuries. Appropriately mounted in the Schottenstift which, despite the name, is originally an Irish foundation
@IrlEmbVienna
1
4
21
Today and tomorrow I am at
@coe
in Strasbourg to build on already strong cooperation of it with
@EURightsAgency
-we are getting a warm welcome - I look forward to an exchange of views later today with the Committee of Ministers.
@CoE_HRightsRLaw
1
4
19
Before the election of a new CofE Human Rights Commissioner you should know where I stand on great challenges. Today AI. I delivered a speech on it recently.
Key point: AI is not magic and despite the hype it is eminently capable of being regulated
0
3
20
A big day for us - strengthened mandate to do a better more impactful job in support of the fundamental rights of everyone in the EU.
“A stronger
@EURightsAgency
sends a clear signal that the EU stands firmly behind its core values of
#equality
,
#inclusion
,
#democracy
& justice,” says FRA’s
@MichaelCJT
welcoming our renewed & strengthened founding Regulation.
Find out more:
3
1
12
1
0
20
We don’t just talk at
#RightsForum18
Here is a workshop on inclusion through soccer
@EURightsAgency
0
2
18
My
@EURightsAgency
colleagues are at the EU borders with
#Ukraine
to assess how best we can support efforts to respectfully welcome people fleeing the war.
3
6
20
The annual
@ennhri
@equineteurope
@EURightsAgency
Principals Level Meeting today. Our ever-strengthened cooperation has never been more needed as together we face
#Covid_19
0
1
19
Today I addressed the informal EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Stockholm on respecting human rights in the fight against organized crime in the digital era
@sweden2023eu
@EURightsAgency
1
4
19
I’ve held one of Europe’s most stimulating human rights jobs since 2015 and the moment has arrived to find my successor at
@EURightsAgency
Please share the vacancy notice widely - application deadline is 14 March.
1
10
19
I’m looking forward to speak later today at
#EU4Women
on how women’s rights are human rights
@EURightsAgency
0
7
17
Congratulations to the editors and authors of the first academic volume about
@EURightsAgency
Thanks to
@SallaLoi
and
@EU_Justice
for today’s launch event. Great to catch up with my predecessor
@Morten_RWI
and other colleagues including
@Babsmaylou
2
3
18
‘Pervasive and relentless’ racism on the rise in Europe, survey finds. Our survey on racism in the EU, published today.
2
6
19
Congratulations to
@EU2019FI
Thank you for your leadership for EU Fundamental Rights. We at
@EURightsAgency
deeply appreciate the great cooperation over the past 6 months.
It has been an incredible six months. From the bottom of our hearts, all of us here at the 🇫🇮 Perm Rep in Brussels want to say:
KIITOS! TACK! THANK YOU! ✨
15
117
810
2
3
18
I’m honored to represent
@EURightsAgency
for its first participation at
#CSW62
to present and discuss its wide ranging work in support of the human rights of women . Just now listened to the powerful opening address of
@antonioguterres
0
6
19
I am horrified by the death toll in the Mediterranean. In coming weeks I will go to Lampedusa to better understand the situation and offer the further support of
@EURightsAgency
#EURightsAgency
Director
@MichaelCJT
is deeply saddened by the recent tragic migrant deaths off Italy’s coast. FRA calls on the EU and its Member States to take urgent steps to avoid future loss of life at sea.
For more see:
1
7
18
1
4
18
Angel Hurria OECD SecGen gets proceedings underway at
#DiversityForum
2018. I look forward to addressing the meeting this morning on how human rights are a golden thread for effective diversity strategies
0
10
18
This podcast interview with me was published yesterday. It’s about my work in human rights over the years. I hope you find it interesting.
0
6
18
Tatiana Termacic of
@CoE_HRightsRLaw
reports to
@EURightsAgency
Management Board on very valuable cooperation of the two institutions in support of human rights of Europe’s most vulnerable people
0
7
17
After a few virtual meetings it was good today to finally sit down in Vienna with Greek Alternate Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy
@GKoumoutsakos
We discussed migration policy in general and also the
@EURightsAgency
programme in Greece.
0
6
17
Thanks to
@helenadalli
for our excellent meeting today on how
@EURightsAgency
can best support her vital equality mandate. Wonderful to catch up with so great a friend of FRA!
0
5
17
We welcomed
@TimmermansEU
to
@EURightsAgency
this morning to discuss how to ensure that values are at heart of EU Affairs.
Roundtable meeting mit dem Ersten Vizepräsidenten der
@EU_Commission
@TimmermansEU
, dem Direktor
@MichaelCJT
und leitenden Expert*innen der Grundrechteagentur
@EURightsAgency
in Wien zu Herausforderungen durch Migration, Rechtsstaatlichkeit, Respekt der Grundrechte in Demokratien
0
2
2
1
5
16
It was a huge honour for me that
@IrlEmbVienna
hosted this lovely farewell reception, bringing together many diplomats and other Vienna-based friends of
@EURightsAgency
Still a few weeks to go though…!
Michael O'Flaherty is the Director of the Fundamental Rights Agency which is based in
#Vienna
, his term lasts until the end of the year. As he is
#Irish
, the Irish ambassador to Austria invited him to a fare well and many friends and companions came along.
#HumanRights
0
0
6
0
2
18
In Zagreb today I met with
@OmbudsmanHR
@LoraVidovi
to discuss her work and the challenges faced by national human rights institutions. See our recent report
1
3
17
#Integration
is key to our security & our democracy. We need a new narrative stressing the benefits
#migrants
bring
0
19
17
Rescuing victims of shipwreck is not a policy issue - it’s a basic requirement of law and humanity. Today I presented to
@EP_Justice
a set of practical actions that if implemented will save lives.
Presenting the
#EURightsAgency
’s report on
#MigrationEU
in the
@EP_Justice
meeting today, our Director
@MichaelCJT
highlighted the need for better search & rescue protocols, more focus on shipwreck survivors and legal pathways to Europe, including through talent partnerships.…
1
6
6
0
6
17
The EU's generosity in supporting
#humanrights
beyond its own borders must be matched by unwavering commitment at home
#rightsreport17
1
13
17
The view from my hotel room in Brussels this morning. Surprisingly quiet despite the location. The Palace of Justice in the background apparently was the largest building in the world when it opened in 1883.
1
0
17
Congratulations to
@Dunja_Mijatovic
honoured today for her work for free media by
@LinhartBMEIA
on behalf of Austria government
0
8
17
My first ever podcast!
💬If I didn’t believe that we can eradicate hatred, then I shouldn’t be doing this job, says FRA's
@MichaelCJT
in our first
#FundamentallyRight
podcast.
Listen to what motivates him to champion
#humanrights
.
🎧
1
7
13
0
5
16
A sad day for human rights defenders everywhere. Asma taught us so much about courage, integrity, perseverance- and the need for a sense of humor!
Remembering Asma Jahangir, one of the greats of the human rights movement.
9
175
324
0
9
15
I’m in Florence today and never cease to be astonished by its beauty.
0
0
17
What an impressive programme at #
#AHRI2018
! It shows that human rights studies are in good shape and well positioned to be part of the push back against those who violate human rights standards and who seek to undermine the protection systems.
Great contingent of Centre staff, PhD students and alumni participating in
#AHRI2018
@GlobalJusticeEd
@UoELawSchool
The programme is available here:
@JoseanHenrquez
@SilviaGaMac
@BHRIblog
@MichaelCJT
@TVA1607
@AHRI_Network
@NUIGLaw
@ResearchatNUIG
0
4
16
0
8
16
Excellent meetings in
#Helsinki
this afternoon to prepare for Finland's EU Presidency in 2019.
@EURightsAgency
will be a key partner in bringing
#FundamentalRights
work forward across the Union's activities. Special thanks to
@thpoysti
& team.
0
5
17
I’m on the island of Lesvos today. On the way to view a new migration reception facility we stopped at what is left of the Moria camp that was such a huge focus of attention until it’s destruction by fire in 2020. Here a photo I took in 2019 and another at the same spot today.
1
6
17
Thank you Ioannis. Much appreciated.
Proud to see the strong support among PACE for my former director. We achieved much working together at FRA over the past eight years and I'm convinced he would be an ideal HR Commissioner!
@MichaelCJT
0
2
9
5
1
17
As the campaign for the new Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner draws to a close, I wanted to share my stance on one of the greatest human rights issues of our time. In a recent speech I spoke about the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
#EURightsAgency
Director
@MichaelCJT
was honoured to address the Freedom or Fear
#HumanRights75
event in Kyiv as guest of 🇺🇦 Ombudsman
@lubinetzs
. It was a chance to listen & learn, show solidarity & outline how FRA supports the people fleeing Ukraine.
FRA…
3
1
10
0
11
16
If elected as Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner I would continue to struggle against domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I laid out some of the key issues in a speech last year:
2
2
17
I met this morning with newly appointed Director General of the IOM, Antonio Vitorino. We discussed the already great cooperation of
@UNmigration
with
@EURightsAgency
and how we can further cooperate for rights-respectful migration policies
1
6
16
Heading home after three intensive days. My statement is below.
At close of my first visit to
#Ukraine
, I urge close attention to the
#humanrights
of Ukrainian civilians, especially children, wherever they are, and redress for individual victims of the Russian aggression. See my statement
10
27
42
1
1
16
What good news! We at
@EURightsAgency
look forward to a great partnership in support of the human rights of everyone in the CofE’s EU States.
Warm congratulations to
@Dunja_Mijatovic
from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who has just been elected by the Assembly as the
@CoE
's new Commissioner for Human Rights! She will serve a six-year term, beginning in April.
20
360
575
0
3
16