Nine European leaders, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, have jointly criticized the European Court of Human Rights for its interpretation of the Convention on Human Rights, arguing that it hinders the deportation of foreign criminals. The leaders expressed their concerns in an open letter, stating that the court’s interpretation has not kept pace with the changes in the world since the convention was signed in 1950.

Experts believe that the letter is primarily a political signal and that it is unlikely to have a significant legal effect on the court’s interpretation of the convention. Daniele Albertazzi, a leading expert in right-wing politics, sees the letter as a symbol of how ideas once associated with the far right have become mainstream in European migration policy.

The letter calls for “more freedom nationally to decide when foreign criminals should be deported.” The signatories believe that the current system is too liberal and that their concerns are not being taken seriously. They argue that states should have more autonomy in deciding deportation cases.

Basak Cali, Professor of International Law at the University of Oxford, argues that the court already gives states great freedom in migration cases and that changes to the court’s interpretation must be achieved through concrete legal cases, not political statements. Cali notes that the court’s judgments are made on a case-by-case basis and are influenced by legal reasoning, not general statements.

Albertazzi highlights Germany as a crucial country to watch, suggesting that it may support a tougher line on migration under its new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. He believes that the letter solidifies the shift towards a stricter immigration policy in Europe, with leaders like Meloni and Frederiksen at the forefront.