20 Jun Annual Report 2022 of the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights

“The protection of human rights in Europe has suffered serious setbacks in 2022,” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, presenting her Annual Report. “

The report largely focuses on the atrocities committed by the Russian Federation in its military attack on Ukraine. This includes addressing violations of the human rights of Ukrainian children transferred to the Russian Federation or temporarily occupied territories, some of whom have been given Russian citizenship in blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

The report also made a reference to a mission the Commissioner carried out to Kosovo from 30 May to 3 June, focusing on issues relating to transitional justice and social cohesion, freedom of the media, and issues related to women’s rights and gender equality. Following the mission, the Commissioner published a memorandum on 18 October where she noted the need for Kosovo to tackle shortcomings in the investigation, prosecution and trying of war-related crimes now under the responsibility of its justice system and enhance cooperation with the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office. She encouraged cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina on the search for persons who  remain missing as a result of the conflict. The Commissioner further underscored the need to ensure all civilian war victims are given access to reparations and safe conditions to come forward, as well as the need to address obstacles to sustainable returns.

Furthermore, the Commissioner also stresses that the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Europe shows a consistent and deliberate failure by many member states to uphold their international human rights obligations in this area. “Pushbacks, refusals to rescue boats in distress, inhumane conditions and treatment are the common features of an approach to migration disproportionately focused on security that endangers human lives. Instead of continuing down this path, member states should focus on providing safe and legal routes, humanitarian assistance along migration routes and search and rescue at sea.”

According to the Report, 2022 was also marked by a pervasive climate of intolerance, hostility and even violence against LGBTI people. “The political instrumentalisation of issues related to their human rights, such as the legal recognition of same-sex couples or their right to family life, has only served to increase hostility and disinformation against LGBTI people and to polarise society,” writes the Commissioner, stressing that this situation is a symptom of a wider problem of regression in the commitment to ensuring equal rights for all.

The Commissioner also stresses that the space for civil society, human rights defenders and individuals in general to exercise fundamental freedoms has continued to shrink. Another area where progress is still needed is the protection and promotion of women’s rights and gender equality. Women and girls in Europe still face significant challenges, such as gender-based violence and obstacles in accessing their sexual and reproductive health and rights, including due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Reference from the Council of Europe