Britain joins some European governments in advocating for ‘constrained’ human rights laws. This move is likely to lead to changes that permit Rwanda-style migration deals with third countries and allow for the deportation of more foreign criminals.
27 of the 46 Council of Europe members, which included the UK, Hungary and Italy, have signed an unofficial statement that also urges a new framework for the European Convention for Human Rights. This is likely to narrow the definition of ‘inhuman & degrading treatment’.
This statement follows a meeting of the council in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, as part of a push to change the manner in which laws apply in migration cases.
The UK’s deputy prime minister, David Lammy, attended the meeting and was expected to argue that the rules must not halt the process of countries tackling the issue of illegal migration.
France, Spain & Germany are among the many countries that have refused to sign this statement. Instead, these 3 countries have opted to indicate their names in a separate, official declaration which is backed by all 46 governments.
The two separate statements are signs of deep divisions across Europe over how to tackle irregular migrations. This also concerns issues of whether to guarantee rights to refugees and economic migrants.
The agreement signed by 27 countries said that Article 3 of the convention tends to ban ‘inhuman or degrading treatment’, but this ban should be constrained to the most serious issues, allowing state parties to take proportionate decisions on the expulsion of foreign criminals. This includes addressing issues related to healthcare and prison conditions.
It also argues that Article 8 of the convention should be ‘adjusted’ in relation to criminals so that more weight is thrust on the nature & seriousness of the offence committed, with less emphasis on the criminal’s links with the host country.
