Consortium Condemns Proposals to Withdraw from ECHR: A Threat to Peace and Rights

July 21, 2025

The Human Rights Consortium has denounced proposals by Suella Braverman MP and Baroness Arlene Foster which call for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and repeal the Human Rights Act (HRA). The Consortium has labelled the proposals “legally and morally flawed, politically reckless and constitutionally dangerous.”

A Direct Threat to the Peace Process

Kevin Hanratty, Director of the Human Rights Consortium, warned that the most alarming aspect of the proposals is the attempt to decouple Northern Ireland from the ECHR framework. He stated:

“The ECHR is not a peripheral element of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement – it is a central pillar. The Agreement explicitly commits to the incorporation of the ECHR into Northern Ireland law, with enforceable remedies and safeguards.”

He described any attempt to downplay this commitment as a “dangerous misreading” of the Agreement, adding that undermining the ECHR risks destabilising the delicate balance of rights, equality, and mutual respect that underpins peace in Northern Ireland.

No Legitimate Case for Withdrawal

The Consortium refuted claims that the ECHR undermines UK sovereignty, highlighting its role in empowering domestic courts and protecting individuals from abuses of power. Mr Hanratty noted:

“The Human Rights Act does not transfer sovereignty to Strasbourg. It empowers UK courts to interpret and apply rights domestically, ensuring that individuals can seek justice at home.”

A Regressive Vision for Rights

The proposals suggest replacing the ECHR with common law and parliamentary statutes. The Consortium warned this would strip away the universality and independence of current protections, leaving rights vulnerable to political interference.

Call to Action: Deliver the Bill of Rights

The Consortium spokesperson concluded with a call for genuine commitment to rights:

“Anyone genuinely interested in the protection of rights should be seeking the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement’s human rights commitments – including the delivery of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland – not threatening the basic levels of protection we currently have in the Human Rights Act and the ECHR.”

The Consortium urges political leaders, civil society, and the public to reject these proposals and reaffirm their commitment to peace, rights, and the rule of law.

About the Consortium

The Human Rights Consortium is a Northern Ireland-based charity campaigning for a rights-based society, including the implementation of a Bill of Rights. It represents over 165 member organisations from across the region.

The full statement can be read below.