Rapid Response Webinar: The Chişinău Political Declaration on the ECHR

Event Details

On 15 May, States Party to the European Convention on Human Rights are expected to adopt a political declaration on migration in the context of the Convention.

The declaration is expected to address fundamental issues regarding the scope and application of Article 3 (Prohibition of Torture) and Article 8 (Right to Family life) and the role of the European Court of Human Rights in light of contemporary migration matters. It is set to cover mass arrivals, decision-making processes, the instrumentalisation of migration, 'innovative solutions to address migration' and the interplay between human rights and security.

The declaration comes at the end of a process triggered when nine Member States of the Council of Europe published a joint letter in May 2025. Elements of the declaration have been agreed by the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CCDH) in March 2026. The United Kingdom has played a leading role in this process including signing a Joint Statement to the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe, alongside another 26 Member States. With concerns having been raised about the declaration, including what has been described as its possible 'regressive intent', States have been called upon to uphold the integrity of the Convention system.

Our panel of experts will bring academic, policy and practitioners' perspectives to the declaration and its implications on the effectiveness of the international human rights law regime, as well as in the context of proposals for withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Convention of Human Rights.

This event is convened by Dr Jean-Pierre Gauci, Arthur Watts Senior Fellow in Public International Law and Director of Teaching and Training at BIICL with the support of Kristin Hausler, Director of the Centre for International Law and Sonya Sceats, BIICL Director and Chief Executive.

Chair:

Sir Tim Eicke KCMG KC, Essex Court Chambers, and former Judge, European Court of Human Rights

Speakers:

• Professor Alice Donald, Middlesex University
• Professor Veronika Bílková, Member of the Venice Commission and Head of the Department of International Law, Charles University
  
• Dr Alice Edwards, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
• Daniel Holder, Committee on the Administration of Justice and International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)
• Raza Husain KC, Matrix Chambers
• Rob Linham OBE, Ministry of Justice, UK
  
• Professor Katja S. Ziegler, Centre for European Law and Internationalisation, University of Leicester
     

Pricing and Registration

This webinar is free to attend for members of BIICL.
A fee of £30 applies to non-members.

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