THE POWER OF THE WORD (The President's podcast) #2: Dunja Mijatović

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, was one of the speakers on the presidential panel entitled "Global Challenges – Voices from the Youth" during the Bled Strategic Forum on 28-29 August 2023. The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, took the opportunity to interview Commissioner Mijatović for her podcast.

In this engaging conversation, Commissioner Mijatović, whose mandate ends on 1 April, shared her perspectives and personal reflections on the atrocities taking place in conflict war zones. The discussion focused on the role of politics in resolving national conflicts and addressing pressing global issues, such as climate change, the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and others. The President and the Commissioner also touched on the importance of freedom of expression and of the media, without which there is no democracy.

Ms Dunja Mijatović has been the Council of Europe's first female Commissioner for Human Rights since April 2018. As Commissioner, she has focused her thematic work on a range of human rights issues, including freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, the protection of human rights defenders, the rights of migrants and refugees, and the fight against discrimination and hate speech. She has also worked on the challenges faced by women, children and vulnerable groups, in particular those affected by conflict and displacement, and on the human rights consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, she was the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (2010–2017), Director of Broadcasting at the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2001–2010), Chair of the European Platform of Regulatory Agencies (2007–2010), and of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Freedom of Expression and Information in Times of Crisis (2005–2007).