Human rights official says politicians are playing into the hands of the populist right as they seek to tackle migration
Keir Starmer and Europe’s hardline governments risk creating a “hierarchy of people” as they seek to address migration by curbing fundamental rights, Europe’s most senior human rights official has said.
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, said that “middle-of-the-road politicians” are playing into the hands of the populist right.
Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, he pointed to the “lazy correlation” of migration and crime as an example. “This doesn’t correspond with reality,” he said.
“For every inch yielded, there’s going to be another inch demanded,” he said. “Where does it stop? For example, the focus right now is on migrants, in large part. But who is it going to be about next time around? ”
