UK and Europe plan human rights law changes to boost migrant deportation

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCopy linkMigrants cross English Channel from France in a small boats (Getty)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 fullUK joins Europe pledge to make it easier to deport migrants in bid to curb illegal crossingsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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