Rights Groups Fear New ECHR Declaration Could Weaken Migrant Protections

All 46 member states of the Council of Europe have agreed to the Chișinău Declaration, a political statement aimed at clarifying aspects of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Although not legally binding, critics argue it signals courts to interpret human rights laws more restrictively, particularly in asylum and immigration cases. Rights groups fear this will weaken protections for migrants by providing governments more leeway to deport individuals, even to countries where they may face inhuman treatment or poor conditions. The declaration specifically impacts the interpretation of Article 3 (prohibition of torture) and Article 8 (right to family life), allowing stricter balancing factors in deportation decisions. In the UK, where the ECHR has become a political battleground, the government claims the move will help crack down on system exploitation. The declaration also opens the door for controversial measures like third-country return hubs to deter irregular migration, despite ongoing debates about their efficacy and legality.