Social rights in post-crises

: a relfection on the shortcomings of international social rights protection

Abstract

Social rights, such as the right to education, health, housing and an adequate standard of living, are fundamental pillars for guaranteeing human dignity and equality in modern societies. Playing a crucial role in promoting social justice, reducing inequalities and protecting the most vulnerable, they become even more relevant in times of crisis. The international community has played a key role in promoting and protecting social rights. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the creation of treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966, the European Social Charter and the various monitoring Committees are indispensable mechanisms for ensuring that states fulfill their obligations to protect and promote these rights. However, despite these efforts, the protection of social rights faces significant challenges, especially in times of crisis. Given the inherent need to restore the economic and financial order resulting from these periods and the countervailing obligation of states to guarantee the protection of social rights, this master thesis aims to understand and analyze the reasons why, despite the joint efforts of the international community and states, it is still so difficult to guarantee the full realization of these rights.

Date of Award	30 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Catarina Santos Botelho (Supervisor)