Galway professor elected for Council of Europe’s top human rights role

Galway man and professor Michael O’Flaherty has been elected as Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe.

Originally from Salthill, Professor O’Flaherty was elected to the position of Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe by a vote in the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, and will take up the new role on 1 April 2024 for a six-year term.

Professor O’Flaherty is a renowned human rights expert and previously held the position of Established Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway.

He has had a long and distinguished career with the United Nations spanning 18 years, including setting up human rights field operations in conflict-affected conflicts such as Sierra Leone and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as serving as a member of the UN Human Rights Committee.

Professor O’Flaherty was also Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, an institution set up under the auspices of the Good Friday Agreement. Most recently, he served as Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency from 2015 to 2023.

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, paid tribute to Professor O’Flaherty following the announcement of his appointment:

“Professor O’Flaherty has an internationally respected reputation for dedication to human rights and leadership in the field both on the island of Ireland but also in Europe and around the world. On behalf of University of Galway, I wish to extend congratulations. The ideals and principles which Professor O’Flaherty has pursued and promoted throughout his career are under considerable strain in Europe and it is these qualities that will be at the core of his work in the coming years.”

Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University, added: “On behalf of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, I am delighted to congratulate Professor Michael O’Flaherty on his election as Council of Europe Commissioner of Human Rights. Michael is an outstanding human rights lawyer and advocate, and distinguished academic.

“As the former Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, he helped to build the Centre’s global reputation for human rights research, teaching and international engagement. His election comes at a challenging time for human rights protection in Europe and globally, as core values of democracy, equality and solidarity are under threat. Michael has prioritised the defence of democracy, protection of the rights of minorities, and vindication of the rights of the Ukrainian people. We look forward to supporting this critical and urgent work and wish him every success.”

The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 as an international organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. The Council comprises 46 member states, including Ireland as a founding member.

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