Europe’s most senior human-rights official has cautioned that Keir Starmer and other leaders risk creating a dangerous “hierarchy of people” by seeking to limit protections under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). 

 

In an exclusive interview, Michael O'Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights at Council of Europe, slammed what he called a “lazy correlation” between migration and crime — a rationale being used to justify weakening core human rights protections. 

 

Recently, 27 Council of Europe nations, including the UK, signed a non-binding statement urging a reinterpretation of key articles in the ECHR. Under the proposed changes, the definition of “inhuman or degrading treatment” (Article 3) could be narrowed, and deportations of foreign criminals — even those citing poor health or prison conditions — would become easier. Critics warn these moves could erode fundamental civil liberties, not just for migrants but anyone at risk of losing legal protection. 

 

O’Flaherty warned that once rights begin to be restricted for one group, it sets a precedent for further cutbacks. “For every inch yielded,” he said, “there’s going to be another inch demanded.” Legal experts and human-rights organisations argue that this shift could weaken protections for protestors, detainees, and people with serious health needs — undermining the universal principles at the heart of the post-war human-rights system. 

 

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

Human-rights alarm raised: Michael O’Flaherty warns curbing ECHR could establish a divisive “hierarchy of people.” 

 

Legal changes proposed: 27 European states — including the UK — want to reinterpret Articles 3 and 8 to ease deportation of foreign criminals. 

 

Broader impact feared: Rights restrictions aimed at migrants could end up undermining protections for all, including detainees, protestors, or vulnerable individuals. 

 

 

Adapted From 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec/10/keir-starmer-hierarchy-of-people-constraining-human-rights

Europe is going to get swamped as the rules stand...these numbers are nothing compared to what's coming.