Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Pippa Crerar and Rajeev SyalDecember 9, 2025 at 09:00 PM

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long article 5 min

Keir Starmer is urging European leaders to revise the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to allow for stricter border controls and counter the rise of the far right. Ahead of a European summit, Starmer argues that asylum seekers are using the ECHR to avoid deportation, necessitating an update to the convention. The proposal has faced criticism from human rights campaigners, Labour peers, and public figures who fear it could harm vulnerable individuals. Conversely, Conservatives and Reform UK have advocated for withdrawing from the ECHR altogether. Starmer, along with the Danish leader, believes that modernizing the ECHR is crucial to addressing mass migration and preventing division across Europe.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Strasbourg 40% Mette Frederiksen 50% European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) ×380% Keir Starmer ×4100%

Keywords

european convention on human rights 90% far right 80% asylum seekers 70% keir starmer 70% human rights law 60% migration 60% deportation 50% border control 50% council of europe summit 50%