9 EU countries want a new interpretation of European rights to ease deportations
ROME (AP) — Leaders of 9 European Union countries say they want a reinterpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in order to better tackle irregular migration to the continent and increase deportations.
The leaders said in an open letter made public in Rome on Thursday that interpretations of the rights convention by the European Court of Human Rights have limited the flexibility of national governments and prevented them from expelling migrants who commit crimes.
The letter was signed by leaders of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
The court's interpretation of the convention in 'cases concerning the expulsion of criminal foreign nationals' has protected the 'wrong people' and placed too many limits on deciding who can be expelled, the letter said.
The European Court of Human Rights handles complaints against the 46-member states of the Council of Europe, under the European Convention on Human Rights, including many cases involving migrants and asylum-seekers. The intergovernmental organization is not an EU institution and was set up in the wake of the Second World War to promote peace and democracy.
Irregular border crossings into the European Union are down by 27% this year, according to the European Union Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex.
While numbers of unauthorized migration have fluctuated in recent years, they are nowhere near what they were at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015 when more than one million people arrived on European shores, mainly fleeing the Syrian civil war.
___
Follow AP's global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Slovakia will veto Russian sanctions if they harm national interests, Fico says
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on June 8 that Slovakia will block EU sanctions against Russia if they are deemed to harm the country's national interests. "If there is a sanction that would harm us, I will never vote for it," Fico told reporters. Fico's comments come as Slovakia's parliament passed a resolution on June 5 urging the government to oppose any new international sanctions or trade restrictions against Russia, citing alleged negative economic impacts. The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry. The resolution calls on government ministers to 'defend national economic interests' in international forums and resist further punitive measures targeting Moscow. Since taking office in 2023, Fico has reversed Slovakia's previous pro-Ukraine policy, ending military aid to Kyiv and questioning the value of EU sanctions on Russia. EU foreign policy decisions, including sanctions, require unanimous approval by all member states. A Slovak veto could force concessions or delay enforcement in future rounds. Unlike Ukraine-skeptic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who has repeatedly obstructed and delayed the bloc's sanctions against Russia and military aid for Ukraine, Slovakia has not previously attempted to block EU sanctions. "I am interested in being a constructive player in the European Union, but not at the expense of Slovakia," Fico said, without elaborating on how he will vote on any upcoming EU sanctions packages. Fico added that he would not support any measure that halts Russian fuel imports that are used to power Slovakia's nuclear power plants. Discussions are underway as the EU is preparing an 18th sanctions package against Russia. EU ambassadors on May 14 agreed on the bloc's 17th package of sanctions against Russia, primarily targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers. Ukraine's European allies are tightening sanctions against Russia as Moscow refuses to cease fire. Despite Russia's refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far. Read also: After 3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe announces plan to ban all Russian gas imports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
On GPS: Ukraine's drone attack was a ‘Trojan horse' moment
Retired US Navy Adm. James Stavridis tells Fareed why Ukraine's recent drone attack on Russian bases was a 'Trojan horse' moment — and shares some advice for President Trump on how he should deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
UK finance minister Reeves to meet China's vice premier on London trip
LONDON (Reuters) -British finance minister Rachel Reeves will hold a meeting with Chinese vice premier He Lifeng during his visit to Britain this week for trade talks with the United States, a British government source said on Sunday. China's foreign ministry said He would be in Britain between June 8 and June 13 when there will be talks in London with three of U.S. President Donald Trump's top aides to try to resolve a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies that has kept global markets on edge. The British government source said Reeves would host He for a bilateral meeting during the trip, although there were no details on when the talks would be held. The British finance minister met He during a visit to China in January, part of British attempts to improve ties with Beijing, one of the main policy goals of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government. However, many British lawmakers remain sceptical of China amid regular accusations of espionage by spies working for Beijing, and plans for a new large Chinese embassy in London remains a divisive subject, with the opposition Conservative Party saying it must be blocked. The Chinese government wants to build the embassy at Royal Mint Court, a historic site near the Tower of London, which would be its largest in Europe but its requests for planning permission have been rejected by the local council, and the government will make a final decision. The Sunday Times reported that a senior U.S. official had said Washington was "deeply concerned" about the plans, due to its proximity to London's financial hubs and three significant data centres, and approval could impact UK-U.S. trade talks. "These (security) issues will be taken care of assiduously in the planning process," British technology minister Peter Kyle told Sky News on Sunday. Sign in to access your portfolio
