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EU nations launch talks to reshape human rights in migration cases
High-level negotiations begin Wednesday in Strasbourg to reinterpret the European Convention on Human Rights, aiming to simplify deportations and combat people smuggling across the continent.
Leaders push for legal overhaul
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen have urged fellow governments to modernise human rights protections to prioritise border security. In a joint Guardian op-ed, they argued uncontrolled migration erodes public trust in democratic institutions.
"Europe has faced big tests before and we have overcome them by acting together. Now we must do so again," the leaders wrote. "Otherwise, the forces that seek to divide us will grow stronger."
The proposed reforms could mark the most significant shift in the 75-year history of the European Convention on Human Rights if member states reach consensus by next spring.
Controversial proposals on the table
The Strasbourg talks will address contentious measures including:
- Establishing "returns hubs" outside Europe to detain migrants ineligible for asylum
- Narrowing interpretations of Article 8 (right to family life) to prevent removal delays
- Raising the threshold for Article 3 (prohibition of inhumane treatment) to allow deportations to higher-risk countries
Deputy UK Prime Minister David Lammy will lead Britain's delegation, affirming commitment to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) while insisting its rulings must not obstruct anti-smuggling efforts.
Political divisions deepen
The reform push follows months of pressure from nine Council of Europe members, including Italy and Denmark. While the UK didn't sign their earlier joint statement, it has actively lobbied for these discussions.
Domestic UK politics reflect the divide: Conservative and Reform UK parties have threatened to withdraw from the ECHR, while Liberal Democrats warn such moves would undermine civil liberties without addressing migration challenges.
"The convention upholds our freedom," said Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey. "Leaving would do nothing to stop the boats or fix our broken immigration system."
Balancing act for human rights framework
Council of Europe President Alain Berset acknowledged the need for reform while defending the convention's core principles. "Our task is not to weaken the Convention, but to keep it strong and relevant," he told the BBC in October.
The UK has already introduced domestic legislation to limit how family life rights apply in deportation cases. If successful, the Strasbourg talks could produce a political declaration by May 2026 clarifying human rights applications in migration contexts.
(Updated 10 December 2025 - Talks commence 11:00 CET)
