Opening remarks by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the Council of Europe, to the 15th meeting of our Collaborative Platform on Social and Economic Rights. I extend my sincere thanks to the Scottish Human Rights Commission for co-hosting us here in the Scottish Parliament, and for their enduring partnership and friendship.
This year, our focus is on a theme that goes to the heart of the European social model: the protection and promotion of social and economic rights for rural communities. These rights are not abstract principles; they are the foundation for resilient societies and robust democracies. When social rights are respected and accessible to all, communities thrive. When they are denied, inequalities deepen, trust erodes, and the very fabric of democratic life is weakened.
Rural communities, home to millions of Europeans, often face persistent barriers – limited healthcare and education, gaps in employment opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient digital connectivity. Yet there is no single “rural reality.” Communities are diverse. The needs of a village in the Scottish Highlands are not the same as those of a farming community in Eastern Europe or an island settlement in the Mediterranean. One-size-fits-all solutions will not work. Policies must be tailored, attentive to context, and developed in partnership with those who know these realities best.
At the same time, we must be clear: the responsibility for guaranteeing rights lies with States. They cannot outsource this responsibility to the voluntary sector. Civil society can and does play a vital role – raising awareness, giving voice to communities, and bridging gaps in service delivery – but the ultimate duty to respect, protect, and fulfil rights rests squarely with public authorities.
This is why the European Social Charter remains so essential. It provides binding obligations and concrete guidance for States, setting out rights to housing, healthcare, education, work, and social protection. The European Committee of Social Rights has been clear: governments have positive duties to make these rights real for all, including those in remote or disadvantaged areas.
Other bodies of the Council of Europe – such as the Commissioner for Human Rights and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities – also reinforce this message. By promoting equality, non-discrimination, and local solutions, they ensure that rights are not only recognised but put into practice in the daily lives of people.
National Human Rights Institutions and Equality Bodies, meanwhile, are often the bridge between international standards and local realities. They monitor the situation on the ground, expose gaps, and hold governments to account. And civil society remains indispensable: by documenting lived experiences, empowering communities, and pushing for policy change, it ensures that the realities of rural life cannot be ignored.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of our Collaborative Platform. Over the past decade, it has become a unique space for dialogue, learning, and action. Together, we have strengthened awareness of the European Social Charter and advanced socio-economic rights at the national level. Yet, even as we celebrate this milestone, we recognise how much more remains to be done – particularly for communities whose voices are too often unheard.
As we begin today’s discussions, I invite us to think critically but constructively: What gaps remain in protection for rural populations? How can we better use existing monitoring mechanisms to ensure rights are delivered in practice? What good practices can we share and replicate? And how can we put the lived experiences of rural communities at the very centre of our human rights agenda?
Social rights are the pillars of strong, resilient societies. They strengthen communities, build trust, and sustain our democracies. When States honour their responsibilities, when civil society is empowered, and when policies are tailored to real needs, we not only improve lives – we reinforce the democratic foundations of Europe itself.
I look forward to the insights, exchanges, and commitments that will emerge from today’s meeting.