At the end of March, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) published its annual conclusions about the social rights of children, families and migrants in Europe. The ECSR had assessed 37 European countries, and whether their decisions and measures are in compliance with the provisions of the European Social Charter relating to the social rights of children, families and migrants.
In their report the Committee’s main concerns were about child labour, the protection of children from all kinds of violence, exploitation and abuse, as well as the ‘treatment of children in an irregular migrant situation’ (for example, whether or not asylum-seeking children are able to access appropriate and safe accommodation). They shed light on gender discrimination as well, and emphasized the protection of the rights of employed women during maternity.
The Committee furthermore warned that States should take all measures to end social exclusion and child poverty. They highlighted the increasing number of stateless children in Europe ‘with reduced access to basic rights and services’. In connection with this, the Committee also expressed their concerns about the inadequate housing conditions of ‘Roma and Travellers in many countries’ and stressed the many insufficient measures to reduce statelessness and homelessness.
Finally, Giuseppe Palmisano, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, stated that ‘in our Conclusions 2019, the Committee has examined state efforts to give effect to the fundamental rights of children, families and migrants, as well as to the right to adequate housing. The Conclusions show some progress has been made. However, key shortcomings remain in terms of European states’ implementation of their social rights obligations’. He also suggested that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Social Charter should be a key tool for states to make and analyse decisions.
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