Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged European leaders to support reforms to human rights laws in a bid to strengthen efforts against illegal migration.
The appeal comes ahead of high-level talks in Strasbourg on potential changes to how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied in migration cases.
The UK government has already proposed restricting the use of the ECHR’s right to family life by asylum seekers seeking to avoid deportation.
Starmer now wants fellow member states to endorse broader updates to tackle people smuggling and allow the creation of returns hubs for migrants with no legal right to remain in Europe.
Unlike the Conservatives and Reform UK, who advocate leaving the ECHR altogether, Starmer argues the convention should be modernised to meet the challenges of mass migration. Writing jointly with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, he said Europe must confront rising extremism by responding to public concerns while upholding law, order and compassion.
The Strasbourg meeting will address sensitive issues, including the interpretation of Article 8 on family life and Article 3 on inhumane treatment—both central to migration appeals. Justice Secretary David Lammy and Attorney General Lord Hermer will lead the UK delegation, with Lammy expected to argue for clearer thresholds to prevent abuse of human rights provisions in removal cases.
Member states aim to reach a political declaration by spring, potentially marking one of the most significant reforms in the ECHR’s 75-year history. If successful, work could begin immediately on formal guidance to reshape how human rights laws apply to migration across Europe.
