Speech by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment
Mr President, distinguished members of the Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a privilege to address you on your 150th Meeting, a significant milestone which shows the long-standing importance of the work of the Council of Europe on social rights.
Let me begin by congratulating the Committee for the substantial work carried out since our last plenary session in November 2024. Your efforts led to 37 recommendations being forwarded to the GR-SOC as a follow-up to the 2023 conclusions of the European Committee of Social Rights. This is a testament to your commitment and collaboration.
I commend the Committee’s ongoing implementation of the reforms adopted by the Committee of Ministers in 2022-2023. Of particular significance is today’s scheduled debate - and possible adoption - of a draft recommendation on education about the European Social Charter. This step is crucial in embedding knowledge of the Charter, and the case law of the ECSR, within university curricula and professional training. It also lays the groundwork for the HELP programme to develop tailored courses on social rights, strengthening domestic awareness and application.
I also welcome today’s discussion on the possible ratification of the 1991 Amending Protocol. The proactive submission of questions by Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Luxembourg to the Treaty Office is an important move towards consensus and progress.
This meeting marks another historic first: the Committee will discuss the follow-up to the ECSR’s review of ad hoc reports on the cost-of-living crisis. This unprecedented review demands a meaningful response. A dedicated event is already planned in Brussels on 4 June to bring stakeholders together and explore how the findings can support rights-based policymaking. The GC’s leadership will be essential in promoting this review and relaying its significance to the Committee of Ministers.
I want to acknowledge the preparation of the Committee’s first-ever Handbook-a strategic and timely initiative. This document will not only preserve our institutional memory but also explain the enhanced working methods that resulted from the recent reform. It will serve as a reference for new representatives and strengthen the long-term effectiveness of our work.
The Committee has also done excellent work in ensuring follow-up to the European Code of Social Security. A set of 21 draft resolutions, based on ILO conclusions, will be presented to the Committee of Ministers for debate and possible adoption on Tuesday.
I would also like to highlight the invitation extended to the Council of Europe to participate in the EU Social Summit in Portugal in September 2025. This is a unique platform to amplify the social rights dimension of the Council’s work.
Preparations are underway for the High-Level Conference in Chisinau, scheduled for 18-19 March 2026. As in Vilnius, the GC will have a central role. The ECSR is expected to hold its session there from 16-18 March, with a joint meeting also planned. I’m pleased to confirm that the Secretary General has already committed to attending.
On a broader front, I inform you of the Secretary General’s initiative for a New Democratic Pact for Europe - a bold project to renew and strengthen democratic principles in our continent. Social rights and their implementation, as interpreted through the Charter and the ECSR, must be central to any democratic renewal.
Let me close by referring to the 2025 Report by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, published recently and discussed last week by the Committee of Ministers at their ministerial session in Luxembourg.
Entitled “Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe,” the report encapsulates a major political initiative and issues a clear and urgent call to action: Europe is facing a perfect storm - war, democratic backsliding, disinformation, digital threats, and a retreat from cooperation. In response, the Secretary General advocates for a reset rooted in democratic security, human rights, and the rule of law. The report places strong emphasis on the transformative impact of breaking down silos and tackling challenges through a comprehensive, human rights-based approach.
In this context, your work and the Charter itself stand out as a textbook example of that strategy in action. Your efforts embody the Organisation’s mission to deliver concrete results that improve people’s lives across Europe.
As we face growing threats to freedom and dignity, the Council of Europe must, indeed, remain - as the Secretary General writes - a lighthouse in the storm. The Committee and by extension the European Social Charter system is helping to keep that light shining.
You can count on my full support and that of the Secretariat to ensure the continuation and development of this essential work and your mandate and strong commitment to innovation, cross-sector cooperation, and social justice.
Lastly, I wish to remind you of the outstanding call for four secondments. I appeal to all representatives to seek the support of their national authorities and permanent representations to respond to this request. I also ask for your backing of the proposed staffing reinforcements under discussion in the 2026-2027 budgetary cycle.
Thank you for your dedication and continued efforts to uphold the European Social Charter.