On the occasion of the High-Level Conference on Social Rights and the European Social Charter held under the Moldovan Presidency of the Committee of Ministers (Chișinău, March 18–19, 2026), the “Committee on the European Social Charter and its Monitoring Mechanisms” of the Conference of INGOs welcomes the Revised European Social Charter as the most comprehensive counterpart, in terms of economic and social rights, to the European Convention on Human Rights. In this regard, the Committee supports the principle of regularly organising a high-level conference on the European Social Charter.

The Committee reiterates that CINGO is committed to ensuring that all member states accede to the Revised European Social Charter and sign the Additional Protocol on collective complaints, without opting out of certain chapters or choosing territorial exclusions: “For us, it is unacceptable to create second-class citizens and deprive part of the population of the protection of the Social Charter.” The Declaration also emphasises that “the protection and effective enjoyment of social rights are essential to restoring confidence in democracy and ensuring long-term stability throughout Europe.” Consequently, the NGOs involved will continue to mobilise civil society actors to urge all member states to ratify the revised Charter. A key factor will be the opening of collective complaint procedures to national NGOs.

 Link to the abridged statement

 Link to the full statement

 Link to the Live Conference

 Link to the Revised Social Charter and the Additional Protocol (with the status of signatures and ratifications)