Ukrainian law enforcement officers insist the European Social Charter
be ratified
The Council of Europe is preparing to introduce a mechanism to supervise
and control the observation of social and economic human rights by states
participating in the European Social Charter. The Charter, legally binding
on participating states, demands state guaranties of labor compensation
"assuring workers and their families adequate living standards," their
right to favorable remuneration for their work, right of elderly people
for social protection, etc.
True, the practice of guaranteeing normal living and working conditions
for citizens is unfortunately not binding on Ukraine. Habitually pleading
the "difficult economic situation in the country," our Parliament has shelved
the bill to ratify the European Social Charter. Because the mechanism of
international control that is now under preparation can be used to cast
yet more stones at our domestic "democracy." This was declared at a practical
seminar organized for Ukraine's defenders of law and order by the Ukrainian
Center on Human Rights in cooperation with the British Embassy in Ukraine.
Experts think that the mechanism to protect social and economic human rights
now being established has only an advisory character politically and juridically.
Still, taking into account the fact that the problem of social protection
is a painful issue for our country, this could lead us to a dead end. Nonetheless,
the experts participating at the seminar agreed that ratification of the
European Social Charter is imperative. "Perhaps, obligations to Europe
will push our authorities to strive to guarantee a decent life for the
country's citizens."






