He Labor government of the United Kingdom has joined more than one twenty European countries and has claimed review the European Convention on Human Rights (ECDH) to stop the arrival of immigrants to the continent. The declaration, signed by countries with ultra-conservative governments such as Italia y Hungarywas written this Wednesday within the framework of the meeting in Strasbourg of the Justice Ministers of the Council of Europe, which was attended by the British Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy. Pressure from the United Kingdom to tighten European legislation, especially articles that make it difficult deportation of foreigners who commit crimes in their host countries, have been increasing in recent months in an attempt to stop the rise of populist right.
In the joint declarationsigned by 27 of the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe, the Ministers of Justice recognize that governments must guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms but, at the same time, they point out that they must also “preserve values” of their societies and “effectively protect borders”something that includes preventing illegal crossings and fighting migrant smuggling networks. “The rights and freedoms of our populations are threatened by people who They take advantage of our hospitality to commit serious crimes; trafficking in human beings and the instrumentalization of migrants,” the document states.
ECHR Review
The signatory countries have focused specifically on the articles 3 and 8 of the ECHRwhich protect foreigners convicted of serious crimes from deportation if there is a risk that they will suffer a “inhuman and degrading treatment” if they are expelled or if their right to family life —for example, if they have dependent children—. The declaration calls on the Council of Europe to provide greater clarity on the definition of “inhuman and degrading treatment”, while calling for more importance to be given to nature and seriousness of the crime committed than to the social, cultural and family ties of the foreign criminal with the host country.
The petition has been taken up by the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Alain Bersetwho has taken note of the concerns of the signatory countries and has committed to adapt European legislation to current circumstances. “The new forms and magnitude of irregular migration put pressure on governments in their efforts to maintain public order, guarantee national security and protect the safety of people,” said Berset. “These challenges are real and legitimate”he added. Member States have scheduled a new meeting next spring to discuss ECHR reforms, although there are significant differences between them. Countries like Spain, France or Germany have remained on the sidelines of the declaration.
Anti-immigration speech
The UK Labor Government is toughening its anti-immigration rhetoric to confront the rise of the populist right-wing party. Reform UKled by the ultra Nigel Faragewho has been in favor of abandoning the ECHR to avoid judicial setbacks such as the one that overturned the implementation of the deportation plan to Rwanda promoted by the previous conservative government. Labor has not gone that far and insists on its willingness to respect international human rights laws, but it has shown itself in favor of modify national legislation in this matter to make it more restrictive.
The Minister of the Interior, Shabana Mahmoodannounced at the end of November new limitations on obtaining British nationality for foreign citizens, something that adds to the efforts to reduce the number of asylum seekers as soon as possible and close temporary accommodation. Mahmood has vowed to press ahead with his plan despite recent warnings from some independent bodies, including the National Audit Officewhich warned this Wednesday that the reform of the asylum system could lead to “unintended consequences”such as increased homelessness or new delays in processing applications.
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