The growing crisis caused by rising living costs, which is making it increasingly difficult for citizens across many European countries to make ends meet, and the role of the European Social Charter in addressing this challenge and protecting human rights, were the focus of a parliamentary conference held on 5 December 2025 at the National Assembly in Paris.

Deputy Ombudswoman Tatjana Vlašić participated as a representative of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI). Other participants included Saskia Kluit, Chair of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health, and Sustainable Development; Paul Galles, Chair of the Sub-Committee on the European Social Charter; Aoife Nolan, Chair of the European Committee of Social Rights; and Seamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee.

During the conference, it was emphasized that the crisis caused by rising living costs has deepened inequalities across Europe, limiting access to housing, employment, food, and energy, with the most severe effects on vulnerable groups. Participants jointly called for stronger parliamentary action to ensure that the obligations under the Charter are implemented in concrete national policies, underlining that investment in social rights is essential for safeguarding democratic stability.

This includes ensuring dignified work, adequate social protection, and equal access to social services, all of which are essential for combating social exclusion and restoring public trust in institutions. The protection of social rights is a democratic imperative and a fundamental obligation reaffirmed in the Reykjavik Declaration.

Deputy Ombudswoman Tatjana Vlašić underlined the importance of national human rights institutions and their role in promoting social rights through the submission of alternative reports to the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on the implementation of the European Social Charter (ESC). These reports are based on complaints received, field visits, collaboration with civil society, and participation in legislative activities.

The event was organized by the Committee on Social Affairs, Health, and Sustainable Development of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in cooperation with the Council of Europe’s Department of Social Rights and the PACE Department of Parliamentary and Electoral Cooperation.