Starmer to curb asylum seekers using human rights to avoid deportation
Starmer announces U-turn on laws stopping asylum seeker deportations
- Sir Keir Starmer has said he will re-examine how human rights law is applied in UK courts, aiming to deter migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.
- This potential policy shift is considered a significant victory for new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has been lobbying for changes to relevant legislation.
- Ms Mahmood seeks to alter the effects of laws concerning modern slavery, the Refugee Convention, and ECHR Articles 3 and 8, which have been used to block deportations.
- The prime minister's consideration follows record levels of Channel crossings and his comments suggesting a distinction in deportation cases based on conditions in destination countries.
- The proposed re-examination faces internal opposition from Attorney General Lord Hermer, while Reform UK and some Conservative figures advocate for Britain to withdraw from the ECHR.