The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 351st session (13-17 October 2025):

• The decision on admissibility in European Disability Forum (EDF) v. Spain, Complaint No. 246/2025

The complaint was registered on 6 May 2025. It relates to Articles 15§3 (the right of persons with disabilities to independence, social integration and participation in the life of the community), 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 23 (the right of elderly persons to social protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion), 31 (the right to housing) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) read in conjunction with each of the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social Charter. 

In its complaint, EDF alleges that the legal framework, public policy and administrative practice in force in Spain concerning housing accessibility for persons with disabilities and older persons are in breach of the abovementioned provisions of the Charter. In particular, EDF claims that by not adopting effective and coordinated legislative, administrative and financial measures to ensure the accessibility of housing – especially in the case of existing residential buildings, subject to the Horizontal Property Law – Spain perpetuates a legal framework that results in indirect discrimination against persons with disabilities, older persons, and those living in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The ECSR unanimously declared the complaint admissible on 15 October 2025.

• The decision on the merits in European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) v. France, Complaint No. 224/2023

The complaint was registered on 3 April 2023. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion), 31 (the right to housing) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) read in conjunction with the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social Charter.

In their complaint, FEANTSA and FIDH alleged that there has been a proliferation of municipal decrees across France that prohibit and penalise life-sustaining conduct and conduct inherently linked to poverty and homelessness, such as begging, occupying public spaces for prolonged periods, congregating in groups with or without dogs, misusing communal facilities, consuming alcohol, playing music loudly, or urinating in public. The complainant organisations submit that these measures are grounded in prejudice against persons living in poverty and that their systematic enforcement intensifies those persons’ social exclusion in violation of the abovementioned provisions of the Charter.

Pursuant to Article 8§2 of the Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints, this decision will not be made public until after the Committee of Ministers has adopted a resolution or a recommendation, or no later than four months after it has been transmitted to the Committee of Ministers.

• The decision on the merits in Amnesty International and Médecins du Monde – International v. Sweden, Complaint No. 227/2023

The complaint was registered on 19 June 2023. It relates to Articles 11 (the right to protection of health) and 13 (the right to social and medical assistance) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) read in conjunction with each of the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social Charter.

In their complaint, Amnesty International and Médecins du Monde alleged that vulnerable EU migrants in Sweden (defined as citizens of another EU country, who in their home country live in poverty and social exclusion and have made their way to Sweden to support themselves) are in many cases denied necessary healthcare; are billed for the full cost of necessary healthcare; and that this has a chilling effect leading the persons concerned to refrain from seeking necessary healthcare, in breach of the abovementioned provisions of the Charter.

Pursuant to Article 8§2 of the Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints, this decision will not be made public until after the Committee of Ministers has adopted a resolution or a recommendation, or no later than four months after it has been transmitted to the Committee of Ministers.

• The decision on the merits in European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) v. France, Complaint No. 230/2023

The complaint was registered on 18 September 2023. It relates to Articles 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion) and 31 (the right to housing) as well as Article E (non-discrimination) read in conjunction with each of the aforementioned provisions of the revised European Social Charter. 

In its complaint, ERRC alleged that  the imposition of “AFD” fixed fines (amende forfaitaire délictuelle) for the criminal offence of illegal settlement in order to set up a home, even temporarily, on a site, is in breach of the abovementioned provisions of the Charter in that France has failed in its obligation to provide effective access to housing for Travellers.

Pursuant to Article 8§2 of the Protocol providing for a system of collective complaints, this decision will not be made public until after the Committee of Ministers has adopted a resolution or a recommendation, or no later than four months after it has been transmitted to the Committee of Ministers.