On 21 October 2020, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted a position paper on follow-up to the report and proposals of the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH), a body that brings together senior officials and human rights experts representing the governments of the 47 Council of Europe member states.
In the paper, the ECSR welcomes the Committee of Ministers’ determination to improve the implementation of social rights within the Council of Europe and invites the Committee of Ministers and Council of Europe member states to translate their declared support for improving the implementation of social rights into action. It also expresses interest about accession by the European Union to the European Social Charter.
The ECSR underlines ongoing changes to the reporting procedure in order to focus on selected issues and provisions, and raises the question of phasing out the system of thematic reports. It also signals that there is room for improvement in the quality of national reports submitted to the ECSR and invites countries that have not accepted the collective complaints procedure to follow the informed advice of those that have a hands-on experience with the procedure.
Finally, in view of the complexity of the issues involved, it proposes a Conference of the parties to the European Social Charter with a view to improving its “a la carte” system, overcoming the optional nature of the collective complaints procedure, and adding new rights to those already protected under the Charter (e.g. the right to a healthy or decent environment).
Tél. +33 (0)3 90 21 49 61
www.coe.int/socialcharter
