The ECHR will not stop us in the fight against illegal migration, said the Minister of Justice

A group of migrants, including small children, in Dover after a small boat incident in the English Channel. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA

International law The Justice Minister said that the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) should not prevent countries from fighting illegal migration.

In his speech at a meeting of justice ministers Alex Chalke of the G7 in Vienna said laws and treaties must be “adapted to reality” so that countries can respond to 21st century challenges such as the international migration crisis.

“Our countries now face new, complex challenges: from how to respond to mass migration as millions of people march across the world, to the specter of climate change and the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, with all the opportunities and risks they carry. «, he said.

» If our citizens want the law to be respected, it must benefit them. Its framework must be able to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. To be unwanted means to be ignored or, worse, despised, which risks compromising our freedom, safety and security.»

Mr Chalk is known to oppose any move to withdraw the UK from the ECHR, which has been proposed by Rishi Sunak and supported by Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, and Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister.

Alex Chalk, the justice minister, is not in favor of leaving the ECHR. Photo: Viktor Shimanovich/Getty

However, Mr Chalk has been an advocate for reform, helping to negotiate changes to Rule 39, which was used by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to block the first flight of deported migrants to Rwanda in June 2022. The changes have tightened the requirements. for their use.

For example, the new codified version of the court's guidance states that migrants must be at «imminent risk of irreparable harm» if deported. It reflects the wording of the Government's own legislation.

Mr Chalk said: “Some are of the view that the law should not be an obstacle to tackling the problem of illegal migration. But it's important for all of us here to be the voice that says no. We must uphold the rule of law, but it can also help us protect our borders if we approach it correctly.

“The law is a living instrument, not suspended in time. It must underpin the rights and freedoms of our citizens, and to do this it must also be modern and adapted to reality.

“As a group of nations, it is right that we take into account together the direction of international law in order to revitalize the basis rules of order so that it is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”