European justice ministers have agreed to push forward reforms aimed at changing how Europe’s main human rights treaty is applied, as governments seek stronger tools to deal with illegal migration. The agreement was reached during a meeting in Strasbourg, where concerns were raised about how existing human rights rules affect deportation and asylum decisions.
Countries that are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) agreed to begin work on a political declaration that could reshape how the treaty is interpreted in practice. This declaration is expected to be discussed further at a summit scheduled for May next year. All 46 member states of the convention are involved in the talks.
Migration has become a major political issue across Europe, particularly in the UK, where small boat crossings across the English Channel continue to spark debate. Some political parties in Britain have called for a complete withdrawal from the ECHR, arguing that it blocks the removal of illegal migrants. However, the Labour government led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out leaving the treaty, instead supporting reforms within the existing framework.
Sir Keir has stressed that changes are needed to ensure the ECHR works effectively in today’s migration environment. He has argued that better cooperation between European countries is essential to reduce illegal migration, tackle people smuggling, and prevent dangerous journeys that put lives at risk.
Alain Berset, the head of the Council of Europe, said the focus of the talks is not on rewriting the ECHR itself. Instead, he explained that countries are trying to reach agreement through a political declaration that could guide how human rights laws are applied in migration cases, similar to previous agreements on shared European challenges.
If adopted, the declaration could represent one of the most important shifts in how human rights law is enforced in Europe since the convention came into force 75 years ago. However, legal experts say the impact will depend heavily on the final wording and how national courts apply any agreed changes.
In the UK, Labour has already announced plans to restrict the use of the “right to family life” under the ECHR in deportation cases. Supporters of reform argue this will make it easier to remove people with no legal right to stay, while critics warn against weakening human rights protections.
The Strasbourg discussions also included proposals to strengthen action against migrant smuggling networks and to explore the creation of human rights–compliant return hubs outside Europe. These centres could be used to house migrants who cannot safely be returned to their home countries.
Despite ongoing disagreements, European ministers appear united in seeking reforms rather than abandoning the ECHR altogether. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these proposed changes can balance border control, human rights, and international cooperation.