British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to make a case for reforming the European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) powers to arbitrarily block UK deportation flights at a Council of Europe summit on Tuesday. Politico writes about it.
"We need to do more to work together across borders and between jurisdictions to end illegal migration and stop the boats," the prime minister said in previously released remarks.
It is noted that Sunak, on the eve of his arrival in Iceland for a European summit and a bilateral meeting with the head of the ECtHR, Siofra O'Leary, will say that "the current international migration system is not working". He, Politico writes, will take aim at the Strasbourg court, which used Rule 39 to block planned deportations to Rwanda after Britain unveiled its scheme in 2022. Rule 39 allows the ECtHR to apply so-called provisional measures if, in its opinion, "there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm".
According to the newspaper, some of the British conservatives have advocated leaving the court, which they believe is blocking Britain's efforts to "stop the boats" - a key goal of the Sunak government.
In April 2023, the British Prime Minister amended the main Illegal Migration Bill, introducing powers to allow ministers to ignore temporary bans under Rule 39 of the ECHR. Under the amended bill currently before the House of Lords, these injunctions will only be enforced in exceptional cases and if the minister personally chooses to enforce them.
European politicians and diplomats are not enthusiastic about the measure and have warned Sunak against trying to circumvent the Strasbourg court, writes Politico. However, instead of advocating to leave the court, the prime minister instead plans to call for pan-European reform of the court so that his ministers do not have to use their new powers.
According to the publication's interlocutor, Sunak will argue that any measures introduced by European governments, such as his bill on illegal migration, must "go hand in hand with a fit-for-purpose global asylum system." The source added that the prime minister would also call for reform of the Rule 39 process to ensure "proper transparency, greater accountability and reviewability of decisions".
Britain expects up to 56,000 immigrants to arrive on its shores in small boats this year.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in April that migrants risking their lives to reach Britain on small boats were "criminals".
