Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent institution established in 1999. The commissioner is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for a non-renewable six-year term and is tasked with promoting awareness of and full respect for human rights in the organization's 46 member states. The role combines country visits, thematic work, and public advocacy, with the commissioner able to act on any matter falling within the Council of Europe's competence. Álvaro Gil-Robles served as the first commissioner.
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Council of Europe rights chief calls for ceasefire, evacuation in occupied Oleshky
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty has called for an immediate local ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and the evacuation of civilians from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Kherson region, where residents face severe hunger, lack of medicine, water, and electricity. No food deliveries have reached the town since late May, and the only road in is mined and monitored by drones. O'Flaherty cited the Fourth Geneva Convention in holding Russia, as the occupying power, responsible for providing for the population.