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Human rights

Labour MPs Call for Reform of European Convention on Human Rights Amid Migrant Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Senior Labour figures are mounting pressure on party leader Sir Keir Starmer to reform the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to facilitate the deportation of more migrants. The move comes as the UK grapples with a record number of asylum seekers and a growing crisis at the UK's borders. Labour MPs, including Jo White, leader of the Red Wall caucus, and Graham Stringer, a veteran MP, have called for a review of the treaty to address the issue of "rights being exploited by thousands of illegal migrants to avoid deportation and stay in the UK".

Key Takeaways:

  • Jo White, leader of the Red Wall caucus, has called for a review of the ECHR, stating that "it has had its time" and is in need of a review to ensure it continues to protect migrants in the UK.
  • Former Labour home secretary Jack Straw has urged Sir Keir to "decouple" British laws from the ECHR to allow the deportation of more migrants and foreign criminals.
  • Lord Blunkett, another former Labour home secretary, has urged Sir Keir to suspend the treaty to give the Government time to "get a grip" on the crisis.
  • Labour MP Jonathan Brash has suggested that if Sir Keir's measures do not stop the boats, "then we must go further and faster, including declaring a national emergency if necessary and closing our country to all asylum claims except for unaccompanied children".
  • Downing Street has denied that suspending the ECHR is "something we are looking at".
  • Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is drawing up plans to rewrite laws to limit the scope for judges to use articles three and eight of the ECHR to block the Home Office's removal of failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals.

Statistics:

  • Over 200 hotels are being used to house more than 32,000 asylum seekers in the UK.
  • Thousands of illegal migrants are exploiting the rights in the ECHR to avoid deportation and stay in the UK.
  • Sir Keir has pledged that Labour will never withdraw from the ECHR and will treat international law with "profound respect".

Sources:

  • [1] "Labour MPS Call for Reform of European Convention on Human Rights Amid Migrant Crisis" (The Telegraph)
  • [2] "Labour grandees call for overhaul of human rights laws" (Financial Times)
  • [3] "Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged to 'decouple' Britain from European Convention on Human Rights" (The Telegraph)
  • [4] "Home Secretary Yvette Cooper draws up plans to limit human rights judges' powers" (The Telegraph)

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