Nine European leaders are advocating for a reinterpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights, aiming to simplify the expulsion process for migrants who commit crimes. This collective stance has been prominently voiced by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who argue that the European Court of Human Rights has broadened the scope of the Convention beyond its original intent.
Calls for political debate on migration policies
During a statement made on Thursday evening, Meloni emphasized the need for a political dialogue regarding certain European conventions that, given the passage of time since their inception, may no longer adequately address contemporary challenges, particularly in relation to migration. She said, “open a political debate on some European conventions to which we are bound and on the capacity of those conventions, a few decades after they were written, to address the great issues of our time, starting precisely with the issue of the migration phenomenon.”
Collective action from multiple nations
The statement has garnered support from leaders of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. These nations are calling on the European Court of Human Rights to grant them enhanced authority in deciding when to expel foreign nationals who engage in criminal activities. Additionally, they seek to improve mechanisms for tracking individuals who cannot be expelled.
Moreover, the document highlights the importance of addressing the exploitation of migrants by antagonistic states. For instance, Lithuania has recently initiated legal proceedings against Belarus at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of inciting political unrest within the EU by facilitating illegal border crossings.
This move signifies a growing concern among European leaders about the interplay between human rights and national security, particularly in relation to immigration and criminal activity.