ECHR at a Crossroads: Implications of the Chișinău Process Event

May 19, 2026

In April 2026 the Human Rights Consortium in collaboration with Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) hosted an online webinar ECHR at a Crossroads: Implications of the Chișinău Process’

ECHR Crossroads Conference Discussion

Director of the Human Rights Consortium Kevin Hanratty introduced the event which was primarily aimed at discussing the potential implications of a proposed political declaration on the European Convention on Human Rights and Migration expected at the next Council of Europe conference in Chișinău, Moldova at the end of May 2026. He explained that while this process has been presented as a tactical exercise, it raises concerns about a shift away from the universality of convention rights, particularly affecting migrants. Kevin outlined the event’s purpose was to understand the proposed changes, their implications for Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK, and to hear from experts and audience members about their potential impacts on human rights protections.

Chișinău  Process Human Rights Concerns

The first speaker at the event Professor Natasa Mavronicola from the University of Birmingham discussed the ” Chișinău process,” in the context of migration and expulsion of foreign nationals convicted of crimes. She highlighted concerns about potential threats to the absolute nature and scope of Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment) and Article 8 (right to private and family life) of the ECHR. Professor Mavronicola also warned that the process risked undermining the universality of human rights, weaponizing the living instrument doctrine for regressive purposes, and challenge the independence of human rights courts. She emphasized the importance of ongoing engagement and advocacy to protect human rights in the face of these potential threats.

Click on image above to watch the full event recording

ECHR Impact on Northern Ireland

Alyson Kilpatrick, the Chief Commissioner at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) was the next speaker and she discussed the impact of potential changes to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) on the Belfast Good Friday Agreement – specifically for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Northern Ireland. She emphasized that withdrawing from or undermining ECHR commitments would breach international treaty obligations and risk undermining the peace process. Alyson highlighted that the universality of human rights is crucial and that any changes should not diminish protections for any group of people. She also referenced a recent court case in Northern Ireland that affirmed the rights of all individuals under the ECHR and emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary in protecting human rights.

Council of Europe Human Rights Concerns

The final speaker Dr. Andrew Ford from Dublin City University (DCU) and a Commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) highlighted how the Chișinău Declaration might provide further cover for other regressive measures in the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, particularly in Ireland, and raised questions about Ireland’s stance on human rights values in the context of its upcoming presidency of the European Union.

Council of Europe Migration Declaration

The event concluded with an opportunity for informal discussion and Q&A session facilitated by Eilis Barry, CEO of FLAC. The range of questions and concerns on the  political declaration ranged from the limited prospects for influencing the process due, the potential impact on the European Court of Human Rights and domestic courts, concerns about more conservative approaches to rights, the importance of continued advocacy by national human rights institutions and civil society and the potential impact on the Good Friday Agreement.

The full recording of the event is also available to view here.