- The UK has joined European ministers in a pledge to adopt a narrower interpretation of human rights law, aiming to make it easier to deport foreign nationals as the continent addresses illegal migration.
- A joint political declaration, driven by the UK, Denmark, and Italy, will be issued by foreign ministers in the Council of Europe, reasserting states' sovereign rights to deport individuals.
- Ministers have agreed to an updated interpretation of Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), hoping to prevent serious criminals from avoiding deportation.
- The UK and other member states believe the threshold for “inhuman or degrading treatment” under Article 3 should be lowered, and the public interest in deporting serious foreign criminals should be properly balanced against family rights under Article 8.
- Human rights organisations, including Liberty, have expressed significant concern, warning that this political statement could lead to a 'gradual weakening of human rights protections' and undermine the vital legal framework.
IN FULL
UK joins Europe pledge to make it easier to deport migrants in bid to curb illegal crossings
