--- title: "Humanists UK at UN: Challenging misconceptions about the European Court of Human Rights" date: "2026-10-06T11:56:03+01:00" modified: "2026-10-06T13:38:32+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/10/06/humanists-uk-at-un-challenging-misconceptions-about-the-european-court-of-human-rights/" post_id: 199444 categories: ["News"] --- # Humanists UK at UN: Challenging misconceptions about the European Court of Human Rights ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/globe-europe-5.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)Speaking at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Humanists UK challenged misleading rhetoric about the extent to which the European Court of Human Rights prevents the deportation of foreign national offenders, highlighting evidence that successful claims before the Court are exceptionally rare. The intervention comes amid growing political and media scrutiny of the role of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in immigration and deportation cases, and moves by some European states to limit the application of Convention rights. **The role of the ECHR** ------------------------ The [ECHR has been fundamental to democracy across Europe for over 75 years](https://humanists.uk/2025/11/04/celebrating-75-years-of-the-european-convention-on-human-rights/). Its founding purpose was – and remains – to provide legal protection for the minimum standards everyone, regardless of their situation or background, requires to live with dignity. Crucially, it enables individuals to hold the state to account when their human rights are violated. In an increasingly unstable and reactive world, the ECHR is needed now more than ever. A [report by the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights](https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr-immigration-control/european-convention-human-rights-and-immigration-control-uk-informing) shows that media coverage and political commentary on deportation cases are often misleading, mischaracterising UK immigration law, the appeals system, and the role played by the ECHR and European Court in such cases. There is a disproportionate focus on a relatively small number of cases, which misrepresents just how exceptional successful claims before the European Court actually are. Since 1980, there have been only 13 times in which the European Court found that a UK government decision to extradite or deport someone would violate the ECHR, and only four of these were based on Article 8 – the right to respect for a private and family life, which is often cited by commentators as a reason foreign national criminals are not deported. The Bonavero Institute concludes that misreporting and inaccurate or incomplete information can undermine public confidence in the legal system and legal processes, leading to an erosion of trust in the rule of law. **The Chișinău Declaration** ---------------------------- Humanists UK made the intervention following the adoption of the Chișinău Declaration by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May 2026. ### **The intervention was delivered via video by Humanists UK representative Archie Longrigg. He said:** > **‘**As a non-binding political declaration, it reflects a broader climate that is increasingly hostile to migrants. Countries such as [Denmark](https://www.reuters.com/world/denmark-plans-tougher-deportation-laws-challenging-european-human-rights-2026-01-30/) and the [UK](https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4254) have recently introduced legislation that purports to limit the application of Convention Rights, amid [misrepresentations in reporting](https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-09-04-misrepresentations-around-human-rights-and-immigration-fuelling-calls-quit-echr) that the European Court of Human Rights obstructs the deportation of foreign national offenders. This is despite the Court already having an [extremely limited impact on national migration and asylum decisions](https://ks.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr-ks/focus-on-immigration). Over the last ten years, just 2% of the just under half a million applications submitted to the Court concerned immigration. Of those, the Court ruled against states in just 6% of cases.’ Humanists UK expressed concern about the implications of the Declaration for the human rights protections of migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers, as well as for the principle of universality – that human rights belong to everyone, regardless of their status or circumstances. The ECHR provides fundamental rights protections to everyone within a state’s jurisdiction; weakening the rights of particular groups therefore risks undermining the rights of everyone. The Declaration also calls for increased dialogue and communication between state parties and the European Court of Human Rights. Yet, Protocol 16 to the ECHR already provides such a mechanism, allowing the highest courts and tribunals in a country that has ratified the Protocol to obtain advisory opinions from the Court. However, despite the Declaration itself encouraging states to consider ratifying the Protocol, some countries that supported the process leading to the Declaration – including Denmark and the UK – have not done so. Humanists UK also called on European states to ratify Protocol 16 of the ECHR, reminding states that its advisory function already provides a means for the open, informed, and constructive dialogue called for in the Chișinău Declaration calls. #### Notes For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only). Read the [full intervention](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-09-01-AL-Item-4-General-Debate-Chisinau-Declaration.pdf). Read our news item [celebrating 75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights](https://humanists.uk/2025/11/04/celebrating-75-years-of-the-european-convention-on-human-rights/). Read more about our [international work](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/global-challenges/). Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.