Which document serves as a primary reference for social rights within the Council of Europe?

The European Social Charter serves as a primary reference for social rights within the Council of Europe because it specifically outlines various social and economic rights aimed at improving the living and working conditions of individuals across member states. Adopted in 1961 and revised in 1996, the Charter emphasizes rights related to employment, health, education, social security, and family life, thereby establishing a comprehensive framework for social justice and equality.

This document distinguishes itself from the European Convention on Human Rights, which primarily focuses on civil and political rights rather than the social and economic dimensions of rights. Regarding the Maastricht and Lisbon Treaties, while they are crucial in shaping the European Union's legal and institutional framework, they do not inherently provide the specific articulation of social rights that the European Social Charter does. Thus, the Charter serves as the central reference for social rights within the Council of Europe.