25th Anniversary of the collective complaints procedure
The collective complaints procedure is a human rights protection system for social and economic rights which complements the judicial protection provided under the European Convention on Human Rights for civil and political rights.
The collective complaints procedure is a unique form of collective legal action in the human rights protection system, reflecting a systemic approach in addressing social rights problems. This procedure encourages and provides guidance to states to resolve structural problems and shortcomings that prevent general and effective enjoyment of social rights by all the people living within their jurisdiction.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter Providing for a System of Collective Complaints (ETS No. 158) in 1998, the Social Rights Department of the Council of Europe is hosting an event to discuss effective social rights protection in the European space.
On celebrating the 25th anniversary of the entry into effect of the collective complaints procedure, this event represents an unambiguous call on the Council of Europe members states that have not yet accepted it, to follow the example of the first 16 states that did so. Such acceptance will contribute to a more coherent legal space for the implementation of social rights in Europe.
25 years in pursuit of human rights and social justice - Programme - 6 July 2023
AGORA Building, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2:00 pm-6:00 pm
Recording of the event
Moderator: Cathie BURTON, Council of Europe Communications Department
14:00 – 14:30 Opening remarks
Speakers:
Bjørn BERGE, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Dunja MIJATOVIĆ, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe
Eamon GILMORE, EU Special Representative for Human Rights
Mårten EHNBERG, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Sweden
Aoife NOLAN, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
14:30 – 15:30 Collective Complaints procedure explained
Panel guests:
Karin LUKAS, Former President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
Christophe POIREL, Director of Human Rights, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law
Anna RURKA, President of Social Rights Action Committee, Conference of INGOs
Gerard QUINN, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (tbc)
15:30 – 17:15 Collective complaints procedure in practice: challenges, implementation and impact
Panel guests:
Giuseppe PALMISANO, former President of the European Committee of Social Rights
Stefan CLAUWAERT, Senior Legal and Human Rights Advisor, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
Luis Rodrigo MORALES, Director for Industrial Relations and ILO coordination
Iain BYRNE, Senior Legal Adviser, Amnesty International
Anne BERGHEIM-NEGRE, President of University Women of Europe (UWE)
Karolína BABICKÁ – Legal Adviser, International Commission of Jurists
Senada SALI - Legal Director, European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)
17:15 – 17:30 Summary and way forward
Eliane CHEMLA, Vice-president of the European Committee of Social Rights
Aoife NOLAN, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Council of Europe
17:30– 18:00 Closing of the event