The European Social Charter

The 50th anniversary of the European Social Charter presents the opportunity for a comprehensive and informative review of one of the Council of Europe's fundamental treaties. What are its origins? Which states does it cover? What are its strengths? What are the new challenges that the Charter needs to address?

This dynamic and accessible publication allows the reader to find out more about an instrument that is of vital importance for the protection of human rights in Europe and elsewhere.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The main principles of the European Social Charter
1. Context and definition
2. Rights and duties
3. Links with the Council of Europe's European Convention on Human Rights, the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights, United Nations treaties and International Labour Organization conventions

Chapter 2 - The European Committee of Social Rights
1. Supervising the application of the European Social Charter
2. The international non-governmental organisations (INGOs)
3. Practical examples of collective complaints: the rights of Roma

Chapter 3 - The European Social Charter: a point of reference for the states parties
1. The ratification process
2. The European Social Charter and national legislation and standards
3. The future of the European Social Charter

Conclusion

Bibliography
Conventions, treaties
Internet sites, blogs

Appendices
Appendix I - Opening address by Mr Polys Modinos, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, at the first session of the Committee of Independent Experts of the European Social Charter on 16 December 1966
Appendix II - List of collective complaints
Appendix III - List of INGOs entitled to submit collective complaints
Appendix IV- Greece and the European Social Charter