Law Society agrees ECHR is no barrier to immigration reform
11 Dec 2025
2 minute read
News
The Council of Europe met to discuss the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and migration, with its 46 member states backing plans to tackle concerns over addressing migration within the existing legal framework.
Law Society of England and Wales president, Mark Evans, said: “A fair society is one that protects us all and gives us the tools we need to enforce these protections. We all benefit when we can uphold the interests of everyone in our community and challenge government decisions that directly affect our lives.
“The ECHR is a vital part of these protections. It protects everyday rights, such as living our lives freely without unwarranted government interference or having public services that act for our common good. These rights have served us time and again.
“In times of global instability, our membership of the ECHR shows that we are a country that respects and upholds our international obligations, as well as the fundamental protections – protections we helped to define – that are set out in the Convention.
“The ECHR and the Council of Europe provide a foundation of shared values which enable us to work with other countries to navigate modern global challenges. Inter-state collaboration is vital to addressing these issues.
“We can address concerns about border controls without stripping people of their rights under ECHR. The Law Society strongly rejects calls to leave the ECHR.
“This process provides an opportunity for the UK government to show strong leadership. As the UK negotiates with its partners, we encourage it to do so based on clear evidence and with the purpose and values of the ECHR and the Council of Europe in mind.”
The European Convention of Human Rights is an international treaty between the 46 Council of Europe member states. The UK was one of the first to ratify in 1951. The UK is also part of the Council of Europe, which predates and is separate from the European Union, and which promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
About the Law Society
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