The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) adopted during its 353rd session (19–22 January 2026):
The complaint was registered on 1 July 2024. It relates to Articles 1§2 (the right to work), 11 (the right to protection of health), 16 (the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection), 30 (the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion), 31 (the right to housing) of the Revised European Social Charter as well as Article E (non-discrimination) read in conjunction with these articles.
EBCO alleges a violation of the abovementioned provisions of the Charter due to the fact that the conditions whereby conscientious objectors in Greece are obliged to perform an alternative civilian service are punitive and discriminatory: that alternative service is imposed under threat of severe criminal and financial sanctions, is longer and harsher than military service, and is accompanied by either no remuneration at all or a manifestly inadequate allowance, while food and housing provided by host institutions are often inappropriate or unsafe.
The ECSR declared the complaint admissible on 20 January 2026.
The complaint was registered on 28 August 2025. It relates to Article 6§2 and 6§4 (the right to bargain collectively) of the Revised European Social Charter.
JUPOL alleges that the mechanism of collective bargaining in respect of the personnel of the National Police in Spain is ineffective because: it does not allow actual and effective negotiations on fundamental conditions, does not ensure the active role of the trade union organisations in determining the basic labour rights, and the prohibition of the right to strike for the members of the National Police lacks constitutional basis and there are no alternative mechanisms to compensate for the prohibition of the right to strike, in violation of the abovementioned provisions of the Charter.
The ECSR declared the complaint admissible on 20 January 2026.
Tél. +33 (0)3 90 21 49 61
www.coe.int/socialcharter
