The fundamental social rights of the citizens of the member states of the Council of Europe are guaranteed by the European Social Charter and its collective complaints mechanism. As a legal instrument, the Charter refers to young people as having certain rights, notably in terms of education, health and housing. There are still significant disparities, however, in the way these rights are implemented, which is why the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has adopted a report on this issue, presented on 3 April 2019 by the co-rapporteurs Liisa ANSALA (Finland, ILDG) and Piero FASSINO (Italy, SOC).

In order to ensure that young people’s social rights are respected in practice, the Congress calls on local and regional authorities, as bodies which have competences in the social field, to consider these rights a priority for their policies. Member states are invited to ratify the Social Charter, to accept the collective complaints procedures and to involve local and regional authorities in the Social Charter monitoring mechanism. The Congress also emphasises the importance of raising youth awareness through various initiatives and co-ordinating actions at all levels of governance.

In the context of the Congress initiative "Rejuvenating Politics", youth delegates were invited to speak during the debate.

Produced in response to a request from the youth delegates, this report is a continuation of the Congress’s efforts to improve youth integration, participation and engagement at local and regional levels. Since 2014, the Congress has been committed to promoting youth participation, in particular through the “Rejuvenating politics” initiative. Youth delegates from the 47 member states are invited to participate in the debates and to exchange views with Congress members on the issues on session agendas.

• Report CG36(2019)12
• European Social Charter (Revised)
  List of youth delegates to the 36th Congress Session
• Speeches by:

- Presentation by Liisa ANSALA (Finland, ILDG), Congress o-rapporteur
- Presentation by Piero FASSINO (Italy, SOC), Congress co-rapporteur.

• Mediabox Interviews

• Videos of the debate: Lisa ANSALA & Sophia KIRCHER

*** 36th Session of the Congress ***

File 36th Session - Agenda - Videos and photos - Mediabox

On the occasion its meeting on 23 September 2022, in Lelystad, the Netherlands, the Bureau of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, endorsed the President of the Congress’ statements of 31 August and 5 September 2022 and issued the following statement:

"The Bureau of the Congress of the Council of Europe reiterates that the so-called “referendums” announced by the Russian Federation in the militarily occupied territories of Ukraine would be an abuse of this democratic instrument and a further attempt to destroy democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine”.

These referendums are contrary to international law and the Constitution of Ukraine and, as such, are illegal and their results will be null and void. The recommendation adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in 2021, recalls that referendums, like any other electoral process, must take place in accordance with democratic principles and internationally recognized standards, in particular with respect for the rule of law and human rights.

We will never recognise any referendums organised under intimidation in the occupied territories of Ukraine. We reject this denial of the rule of law, human rights and democracy and reaffirm our commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our member State Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders.

We also condemn the pressure exerted on the citizens of the occupied territories as well as the continuing abduction of local elected representatives. This is a clear attempt to intimidate the civilian population through coercion and suppress their resistance in the occupied territories.

The values that we defend of democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout the continent do not weaken us, contrary to what some would have us believe, but strengthen us in our freedoms and our desire to build more inclusive, equitable and resilient societies.”

See also:

• President’s statement of 31 August 2022: Congress President warns of fictitious Russian "referendums" in Ukrainian territories
• President’s statement of 5 September 2022: Congress President condemns the continuing abduction of Ukrainian local elected representatives
• Congress Declaration on the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine
• Russian Federation's war against Ukraine: special file
• Helping Ukraine - Cities4Cities