European Social Charter, 1965

The European Convention on Human Rights is an international agreement to protect civil and political rights in Europe. Adopted in 1950 by the Council of Europe* following the destruction of World War II, the convention was modeled on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Like the UDHR, the European Convention protects the right to life and liberty, as well as freedom of expression and religion. Additionally, the Convention prohibits torture and discrimination.

The European Social Charter was established by the Council of Europe in 1961 (and revised in 1996) to broaden the scope of the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly in the areas of social and economic rights (e.g. housing, labor rights, employment, protection from social exclusion, etc.).

*The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, is an international organization whose goal is to protect human rights, democracy, and rule of law in Europe. There are currently 47 member states in the organization. The Council of Europe cannot make binding laws but can enforce existing human rights laws.