Dozens of European nations sign off on new interpretation of rights convention in migration cases

Key Points:

• Forty-six countries agreed on a new interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding migration, allowing for stricter measures like deportation centers in third countries to deter irregular migration.
• The Council of Europe emphasized states' sovereign right to control borders while complying with the Convention, supporting new approaches such as "return hubs" and cooperation with transit countries.
• Human rights groups criticized the declaration, warning it could undermine protections against torture and inhumane treatment by pressuring the European Court of Human Rights to weaken established migrant rights.
• Some EU countries, including Italy, have already implemented controversial policies sending rejected migrants to third countries, sparking comparisons to harsh U.S. deportation tactics under former President Trump.
• EU officials praised the declaration as a step toward a unified and firm migration policy, addressing concerns about current legal limits on expelling foreign criminals.