UK Joins EU Ministers in Pledge to Ease Deportation of Foreign Nationals

The UK has joined EU ministers in a pledge to make it easier to deport foreign nationals as European countries address illegal migration. Foreign ministers will issue a joint political declaration on Friday that agrees on a stricter implementation of human rights law and reasserts states' sovereign rights to deport people from their countries.

The declaration was driven by the UK, Denmark and Italy and will be issued by foreign ministers in the Council of Europe, a group of 46 member states. Ministers have agreed to an updated interpretation of Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Article 3 protects against sending someone to a country where they would face torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. The UK and other member states believe the threshold for what constitutes inhuman or degrading treatment is too high and should be lowered so that people cannot prevent their deportation to countries with established records of respecting democracy and the rule of law.

Article 8 guarantees the right to respect for private and family life. The declaration is expected to state that the family rights of serious foreign criminals need to be properly balanced against the public interest in deporting them. Officials hope the statement will help independent courts ensure that serious criminals are not able to avoid deportation.

Human rights organisations warned that the political statement would lead to a gradual weakening of human rights protections. One group described the move as a hugely significant moment and expressed concern that changing how the ECHR is interpreted by UK courts could open the door to reduced protections.

The group added that the convention acts as a vital safety net and that undermining it could jeopardise the legal framework that protects everyone. Ahead of meetings in Moldova on Friday, officials said the UK had been working with neighbours across Europe to ensure that countries can take strong action against illegal migration, control borders, uphold the rule of law and respect international standards.

Officials added that the ECHR has protected democracy, human rights and the rule of law across Europe for 75 years and that a common-sense approach is needed to reflect current realities. They stated the goal is to ensure immigration systems cannot be unfairly used to prevent foreign criminals or those accused of crimes abroad from being lawfully returned.

The attorney general said the UK was proud to be part of efforts to modernise how the ECHR works, including how to protect borders in the national interest, to ensure the convention endures for another 75 years and beyond.