‘Who’s it going to be next time?’: ECHR rethink is ‘moral retreat’, say ECHR rights experts

TL:DR

• 27 European countries recently called for a reevaluation of post-WWII human rights laws, citing migration issues.
• Amnesty International condemned this move as a “moral retreat.”
• Critics worry this approach could create a “hierarchy of people” and undermine universal human rights.
• Europe’s chief human rights official highlighted misperceptions linking migration to crime as harmful.
• Concerns rise about populists exploiting these changes, potentially leading to broader violations of rights.

‘Who’s it going to be next time?’: ECHR rethink is ‘moral retreat’, say rights experts | European court of human rights

European Nations Challenge Human Rights Laws Amid Migration Crisis

This week, 27 European countries issued a joint call to reassess post-war human rights laws, deeming them obstacles to effective migration management.

This collective stance has sparked significant debate among EU member states regarding the balance between human rights and national sovereignty.

The tension stems from a letter published in May by nine EU states, including Denmark, Italy, and Poland, which argued that existing human rights legislation hindered their ability to deport criminals. They claimed a need to restore a “right balance” in the context of contemporary challenges.

What Happened

The 27 nations convened to express their grievances, with major countries like France, Spain, and Germany opting not to sign the letter, highlighting a fractious divide over the European Convention on Human Rights.

Human rights advocates, including Europe’s top official Michael O’Flaherty, condemned this rhetoric, asserting it risks establishing a harmful hierarchy of rights based on assumptions linking migration to crime.

O’Flaherty described such claims as “lazy correlations” that misrepresent realities and stoke societal fears.

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Prominent figures, including O’Flaherty, voiced concerns over politicians’ language regarding human rights. O’Flaherty affirmed the necessity for accurate representation of the Convention’s role, particularly in safeguarding vulnerable populations.

Reaction and Fallout

The reaction has been overwhelmingly critical, with organisations like Amnesty International deeming the push for revising these laws a “moral retreat.” O’Flaherty warned that this could embolden populist movements and ultimately undermine the principle of universality in human rights.

Next Steps

O’Flaherty insists that yielding ground on human rights may create false expectations about controlling migration and cautioned against the broader implications of undermining established conventions.

The discussion on human rights reform is expected to remain contentious as nations grapple with migration issues and public sentiment grows increasingly divided.

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