Council of Europe: social rights shield not used enough

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Europe’s top human rights body says more of its members need to ratify a legal process that could help protect the social rights of society’s most vulnerable groups, including migrants.

Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, the deputy secretary-general of the Council of Europe, told a conference Friday that only 15 of the Council’s 47 member states have ratified the Collective Complaints Procedure.

The procedure enables bodies such as international NGOs and trade unions to take cases to the European Committee of Social Rights to defend victims’ rights to education, housing and health care.

The Council’s top human rights official, Christos Giakoumopoulos, said the committee’s decisions aren’t directly enforceable, but can pressure national authorities to amend laws.

Giakoumopoulos said an “explosion” of such cases is expected in the near future.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles