Opening speech by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment
Chair, distinguished members of the Committee, colleagues,
It is a pleasure and an honour to address you today, as you prepare to approve your new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030.
When I addressed you last June, I emphasised the importance of consolidating and enhancing transversal cooperation across the Organisation, and of giving greater visibility to the Council of Europe’s substantial contributions to human rights - and particularly social rights - in the health field. I am pleased to report that we have already taken a major step forward in this direction.
The high-level Conference on Health Protection on 15 October* reaffirmed the renewed focus on health-related activities across the Council of Europe and underlined the enduring relevance of our holistic, rights-based and ethical approach.
All relevant sectors participated, from the European Social Charter to the Pompidou Group, from EDQM to the anti-discrimination, from, youth, to education, and from the intergovernmental to the parliamentary, not to forget civil society, local and regional authorities and academica among others.
In a rapidly evolving public health landscape, shaped by scientific and technological advances, environmental pressures, and profound social change, this transversal and multidisciplinary approach is more essential than ever. I know that this is a view you share as indeed your Committee has been pursuing it actively in the Council of Europe not only through its expertise but also through its working methods.
The Conference acknowledged that despite progress, major challenges persist: inequalities in access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable groups; ageing populations; digital transformation that creates both new opportunities and new disparities; disruptions to healthcare systems; and the rise of mis- and disinformation that undermines public trust.
It identified five priority directions for action:
- Strengthening the implementation of legal standards;
- Ensuring equitable, affordable and inclusive healthcare, with particular focus on children, youth, older persons, and others in vulnerable situations;
- Safeguarding patient rights and ensuring quality and safety in healthcare, including through responsible, transparent and fair use of AI;
- Promoting the rights and mental well-being of children and young people, and supporting their engagement;
- Integrating environmental and ethical dimensions, including ethical governance of innovation, health literacy, and the fight against misinformation.
The conference was a success in showcasing the wreath of Council of Europe’s work in the area of health and identifying directions for action. It was a success in itself by bringing together all relevant sectors of the Organisation together with our partner international organisations and stake holders. I wish to thank you Chair and the UK delegate former Chair of the Committee for their participation and valuable inputs.
The conference will be followed by specific actions in different sectors and we do envisage more of this sectoral conferences in the years ahead since they are very useful indeed.
The Strategic Plan you are about to adopt reflects these priorities closely. Your Committee is already making substantial progress in each area. Yet, as highlighted during the Conference, success will increasingly depend on multidisciplinarity, cross-sector cooperation, meaningful youth engagement, and innovative solutions anchored in human rights. Your Committee’s working methods - its horizon-scanning, cross-committee links, engagement with youth, and strong interplay with other international organisations - are exemplary in this regard and fully aligned with the spirit of the Reykjavik Declaration.
Dear members of the Committee,
The Council of Europe remains fully committed to defending human rights - including social rights - in the field of health. Your Committee plays a central role in this mission, both as the Organisation’s principal steering body on human rights challenges in biomedicine and health, and as guardian of the Oviedo Convention. I am pleased to note that the Convention has now been ratified by 31 member States, with recent ratifications by Armenia and, last week, by Cyprus of the Additional Protocol on biomedical research.
Looking ahead, health-related activities will remain high on our agenda in 2026, with strong cooperation across all relevant sectors. The Committee of Ministers has asked the Parliamentary Assembly to provide its opinion on the draft Additional Protocol on the protection of human rights and dignity with regard to involuntary measures in mental health services. Your Committee will also pursue its statutory work, including re-examination of additional protocols, and continue advancing on AI, neurotechnologies, the rights of the child, and health literacy.
Allow me also to express my gratitude to the authorities of Monaco and Italy for their interest in supporting specific initiatives on youth, social networks and health literacy.
As we advance, two major international reference points will be particularly relevant:
- the Doha Political Declaration, which underscores the centrality of equity, solidarity and human-centred approaches in global health; and
- the High-Level Conference on Social Rights in Chisinau in March 2026, which will reaffirm that health is a fundamental human right protected by Article 11 of the European Social Charter.
Both underscore that protecting health is inseparable from protecting human dignity.
Before closing, I would like to recall the words of the Secretary General and his call for a new Democratic Pact: “Our health depends on the health of our democracy - on trust, on science, and on solidarity. Here in Europe and beyond.”
At a moment when we face worrying signs of democratic backsliding and erosion of rights, a broad human-rights-based approach - founded on collective responsibility - is essential. Issues such as misinformation, digital literacy, transparency, civic participation, and critical thinking are integral to your agenda and central to our shared future.
Your continued commitment, reflected in the new Strategic Plan, shows the way forward.
I wish you a fruitful and productive meeting and remain at your disposal for any questions.
Thank you for your attention.
(*) See https://www.coe.int/en/web/human-rights-rule-of-law/conference-on-health-protection