Britain today joined other European countries in pushing for a human rights overhaul to allow Rwanda-style migrant schemes – despite Sir Keir Starmer having scrapped the UK’s own deal.
A total of 27 nations, including the UK, delivered a joint statement to a Council of Europe meeting on Wednesday to demand reform of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
They called for action to make it easier for them to tackle illegal immigration, deport foreign criminals, and cooperate with ‘third countries’ on asylum and return schemes.
The group of nations, which also included Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands, warned a failure to act would ‘erode confidence’ in the whole ECHR.
They insisted that human rights laws should be ‘constrained’ so countries are not prevented from taking ‘proportionate decisions’ on migrant removals.
The Government’s decision to add the UK’s voice to the demands – including on ‘third country’ deals – comes despite Labour having previously junked plans to send Channel migrants to Rwanda.
Sir Keir scrapped the scheme, devised by the previous Tory government to deal with the small boats crisis, on his first full day as Prime Minister.
There has since been a push by some European nations to establish their own ‘return hubs’ for the deportation of asylum seekers.
Britain joined other European countries in pushing for a human rights overhaul to allow Rwanda-style migrant schemes – despite Sir Keir Starmer having scrapped the UK’s own deal
A group of people, thought to be migrants, wait in the sea to board a small boat in Gravelines, northern France
Italy has agreed a deal to send migrants intercepted at sea straight to Albania to have their asylum claims processed, but has seen the scheme encounter legal difficulties.
In their joint statement to Wednesday’s meeting in Strasbourg, the 27 countries called for ‘innovative and durable solutions to address migration’.
‘A state party should not be prevented from entering into cooperation with third countries regarding asylum and return procedures, once the human rights of irregular migrants are preserved,’ they added.
They also demanded that Article 3 of the ECHR, which prohibits torture and ‘inhuman or degrading’ treatment, to be ‘constrained to the most serious issues’.
The statement added this should be ‘in a manner which does not prevent state parties from taking proportionate decisions on the expulsion of foreign criminals, or in removal or extradition cases’.
The group of nations also said Article 8 of the ECHR, which protects the right to family life, should not prevent countries from applying ‘clear rules’ on migration cases.
They statement added that ECHR reform should find the ‘right balance’ between migrants’ individual rights and ‘the weighty public interests of defending freedom and security in our societies’.
However, in a sign of the divisions among European nations over how to tackle migration issues, the statement was backed by less than two-thirds of the 46 member states signed up to the ECHR.
France, Spain and Germany were among the 19 countries who declined to sign the ‘breakaway’ statement and instead put their names to a separate, official declaration backed by all 46 governments.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, attended Wednesday’s meeting in Strasbourg
Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe – the body which oversees the ECHR, said the ‘living instrument’ is possible to adapt.
But he said work to adopt Wednesday’s official declaration would not begin until May next year.
‘This is really the starting of a process on a consensus basis. That’s the most important point for today,’ he said.
‘All 46 member states have reaffirmed their deep and abiding commitment to both the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.
‘This is not rhetoric. This is a political decision of the highest order.
‘But ministers have also expressed their concerns regarding the unprecedented challenges posed by migration and the serious questions governments face in maintaining societies that deliver for citizens.’
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, attended Wednesday’s meeting and said afterwards: ‘The UK is committed to the Convention.
‘But to secure its future, we must ensure it evolves – striking the balance between individual rights and public interest to deliver peace, stability and security for the 21st century.’
Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have committed to quitting the ECHR in order to help tackle illegal migration across the Channel.