The European Committee of Social Rights published on Wednesday 23 March its “Conclusions 2021” on the articles of the European Social Charter relating to health, social security and social protection. 33 Council of Europe member states are involved; 18 of them are also members of the European Union.
“In many countries, the level of poverty is far too high”, says the Committee, which deplores “insufficient measures” to “address this fundamental problem” “exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
The pandemic is also having “devastating effects” on the elderly, he said, calling for a “shift from institutionalisation to community-based care and independent living” for the elderly.
The Committee also points to the lack of effective vaccination programmes and epidemiological surveillance in some countries, deficiencies in access to health and/or social security systems, the number of accidents at work, ineffective labour inspections, etc.
Some things have changed for the better in some countries, it notes. This includes access to care for the homeless, health and sexuality education in schools and the rights of LGBTI people.
Composed of 15 members elected by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the European Committee of Social Rights judges the conformity of national laws and practices with the European Social Charter. It publishes decisions called “findings”. In case of non-compliance, these are followed by a “recommendation” to the country concerned. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)