- 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.
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