Explainer: Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights

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Donald, A. and Grogan, J. 2024. Explainer: Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. UK in a Changing Europe.
TypeBlog
TitleExplainer: Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights
AuthorsDonald, A. and Grogan, J.
Abstract

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has indicated that withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) could be on the agenda if the UK’s membership frustrates policy on illegal immigration or endangers national security. This follows an ‘interim measure’ from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in June 2022, which effectively prevented the first flight carrying asylum seekers from being sent to Rwanda until the UK courts had fully considered the issue, and the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in November 2023 that the Rwanda policy is unlawful.

Joelle Grogan and Alice Donald explain what steps the UK would have to take to leave the ECHR, whether states have left before, and what the likely consequences would be.

KeywordsECHR; European Convention; human rights; UK; withdrawal
Sustainable Development Goals16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
Publication or CollectionUK in a Changing Europe
PublisherUK in a Changing Europe
Publication dates
Online15 May 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted14 May 2024
Deposited13 Jun 2024
Output statusPublished
Web address (URL)https://ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/leaving-the-european-convention-on-human-rights/
LanguageEnglish
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