European Nations Push for Reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights Amid Migration Challenges

Twenty-seven European nations, including Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, Hungary, Norway, Slovakia, and Poland, are advocating for reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to address contemporary migration challenges. This initiative aims to modify the treaty to allow for stricter deportation policies and greater flexibility in handling migration-related cases.

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The push for reform follows increasing tensions between national security policies and the ECHR's existing provisions, particularly regarding the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. Critics argue that the ECHR has been overly restrictive, hindering governments' abilities to manage migration effectively. The joint declaration signed by these nations on December 10, 2025, marks a significant shift in the approach to human rights in the context of migration.

Britain calls on EU to change human rights laws to combat illegal immigration

Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt has been a prominent advocate for the changes, asserting that the law must evolve with societal realities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also called for urgent amendments to the ECHR, emphasizing the need to combat illegal immigration while maintaining compassion and fairness. The Council of Europe, which oversees the ECHR, is tasked with drafting a political declaration to address these issues.

Britain calls on EU to change human rights laws to combat illegal immigration

Van Bossuyt stated, “The law should not be divorced from societal evolutions,” emphasizing that the declaration aims to enhance, not weaken, the ECHR. Starmer echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the convention must adapt to counter the “forces of hatred and division” in Europe. However, critics, including Conservative MP Robert Jenrick, argue that reforming the ECHR is insufficient and advocate for a complete withdrawal from the convention.

Britain calls on EU to change human rights laws to combat illegal immigration

Opponents of the proposed changes warn that altering the ECHR could undermine fundamental human rights protections established over decades. Legal experts and human rights advocates express concern that the reforms may lead to a deterioration of individual rights, particularly for vulnerable populations. The Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset defended the ECHR, stating it remains a crucial safeguard for rights and freedoms across Europe.

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While proponents of reform argue that the ECHR has alienated many governments with its strict stance on migration, supporters contend that the court's role in protecting human rights is often overstated. There is a significant divide in perspectives on whether the ECHR is a barrier to effective migration management or an essential protector of individual rights.

Britain calls on EU to change human rights laws to combat illegal immigration

The Council of Europe is expected to continue discussions on these reforms, with a political declaration anticipated by May 2026. This declaration could represent the most significant alteration to human rights law in the ECHR's 75-year history, reflecting a broader political realignment in Europe regarding migration and human rights.

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• “This is not an attack on the system, nor a demand to weaken any article of the ECHR, but an investment in the future of the Convention.” — Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration

Belgium joins push to reinterpret European human rights convention

• “The European Convention on Human Rights is the final safeguard of individual rights and freedoms across our continent and a pillar of democratic security,” — Alain Berset, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe

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• “The idea that you can meaningfully reform the ECHR is a trick,” — Robert Jenrick, Conservative MP

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• “A fair society protects us all and gives us the tools we need to enforce these protections.” — Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales

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