46 Council of Europe States Urge Human Rights Rethink on Migration

All 46 member states of the Council of Europe have endorsed a declaration calling for a renewed interpretation of the European human rights system due to increasing migration pressure. Approved in Chișinău, Moldova, the declaration warns that failure to adequately address migration challenges could weaken public confidence in the Convention system, affirming countries' sovereign right to decide who enters their territories.

This declaration follows an open letter nearly a year ago from Denmark and Italy, supported by about ten other countries including Poland, Austria, and Hungary. That letter accused European Court of Human Rights judges of overstepping their mandate in migration cases. The new declaration also endorses 'return hubs,' which would allow EU countries to transfer migrants with rejected asylum claims to non-EU third countries.

Human rights groups, such as PICUM, fear the declaration could impact the court's legal practice. Chiara Catelli of PICUM called it a «direct attack» on the human rights convention, arguing it seeks to pressure the court into weakening protections to facilitate deportations, potentially endangering individuals. Denmark's acting foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, welcomed the declaration, stating it allows nations to safeguard security and deport foreign criminals. Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot emphasized the need for clear discussion on migration but stressed upholding the rule of law, the Strasbourg Court's independence, and universal human rights.