"Ensuring the exercise of human rights is a responsibility shared by all levels of governance, and is not the exclusive prerogative of national governments," said Congress President Anders Knape during an online meeting on "The path to sustainable and resilient municipalities and regions", organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). He highlighted the importance of local and regional government action in many areas such as freedom of expression and assembly, the right to housing, education, employment and health care.
The Congress President reminded that the rights guaranteed by international treaties, constitutions, national legislation and court decisions correspond to specific competences increasingly delegated by states to local and regional authorities. "The decentralisation of competences, as set out in the European Charter of Local Self-Government, is essential in ensuring that local authorities have the necessary resources to fulfil their obligations" he said.
The sharing and promotion of good practices implemented at local level is a key element in making human rights a reality at grassroot level. This is precisely the aim of a set of Handbooks on human rights for local and regional elected representatives published by the Congress. Many practical examples and recommendations illustrate how local and regional authorities can take advantage of their proximity with inhabitants in order to find creative and game-changing ways to ensure respect for human rights by "thinking outside the box". The first volume was published in 2019 and introduces the issue of combating discrimination against refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, internally displaced persons, Roma and LGBTI persons.
A second volume on social rights has just been adopted by the Congress Monitoring Committee. The handbook features issues with regards to health, education, work, housing, social security, protection, inclusion and integration, with a particular focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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