MALTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed that Malta will push for a reform of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), expressing concerns that its interpretation by the European Court of Human Rights is hindering European nations’ efforts to deter asylum seekers.
Abela made the announcement in a ministerial statement, revealing that Malta will advocate for “convention reform” when it assumes the presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for a six-month term starting in May.
His comments came during a migration-focused meeting, organized by the prime ministers of Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark, on the sidelines of the recent EU summit. The session was attended by leaders from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Abela confirmed that the national leaders present supported Malta’s stance on the issue.
Abela repeatedly criticized what he called a “restrictive” interpretation of the ECHR, originally drafted in 1950 by the Council of Europe. He argued that this interpretation is limiting countries’ ability to manage asylum seeker flows effectively, claiming that protections under the convention are being “abused.”
While emphasizing Malta’s ongoing commitment to strengthening human rights, Abela clarified that these protections should only apply where they are genuinely warranted.
The prime minister expressed particular frustration with the European Court of Human Rights, which he believes is restricting countries’ ability to transfer asylum seekers to other countries.
Abela pointed out that the Strasbourg-based court often deems entire countries unsafe based on isolated regions, citing the example of a country being labeled unsafe simply because “5%” of its territory is considered so. He called for a reinterpretation of the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the deportation of individuals to countries where their safety is at risk, as enshrined in the Geneva Convention.
– Photo Department of Information Malta –
(ITALPRESS/MNA)
