While some European governments advocate for stricter migration policies under the European Convention on Human Rights, public sentiment largely aligns with their views. However, comparatively few Europeans report having substantial knowledge about the convention itself.
Most Europeans seem dissatisfied with the current state of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), with numerous individuals supporting changes to migration regulations and many others uncertain about the convention’s present function.
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According to a recent YouGov poll, citizens from five EU countries favor updating the convention’s provisions to permit states to deport immigrants who commit grave offenses, even when their families reside in the host country.
Support is highest among German participants at 75%, whereas Italian respondents are least supportive, although still with a majority backing at 59%.
This perspective coincides with a declaration made by a coalition of European countries, spearheaded by Italy and Denmark, to the Council of Europe last December, which requested a revised migration framework under the ECHR.
«These intricate and destabilizing issues that our societies currently face, challenging the capacity of the established framework, were either unforeseen when the convention system and the Convention itself were created or have significantly evolved since then,» the declaration explained.
Limited knowledge about the ECHR’s functions
Despite endorsement from 27 European governments and majority support across Polish, German, French, Spanish, and Italian citizens surveyed, only 2% to 4% of Europeans assert they know «a great deal» about the ECHR and its actual operations.
For instance, just 8% of respondents from Spain and Italy correctly identified that the right to move freely between countries is not covered by the ECHR, and only 10% accurately recognized that the ECHR is not part of the EU.
In reality, the ECHR is an international treaty drafted by the Council of Europe to safeguard human rights and democracy. The Council of Europe is distinct from the EU and includes 46 member states, although the two pan-European organisations collaborate closely.
The ECHR’s rulings are enforced by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), headquartered in Strasbourg.
Within the YouGov study, only 13% of Italians and 18% of Germans correctly acknowledged that the ECtHR does not have the authority to override or annul national legislation.
Despite widespread unfamiliarity regarding the court’s mechanisms, many still perceive it positively: half of Polish respondents believe the ECtHR fulfills its role effectively, while opinions in Spain, Germany, Italy, and France are more varied, based on YouGov data.
European public favors continued ECHR membership
A comparable trend appears concerning the convention as a whole: though most Europeans lack detailed understanding of the ECHR’s effectiveness, relatively few express a desire to exit the Convention.
Between 50% and 66% of respondents across the surveyed five EU states indicate they wish to maintain their membership in the ECHR.
On average, citizens perceive the Convention as most beneficial in enhancing security cooperation with other European nations and bolstering their country’s international reputation.
Regarding individual rights in daily life, Europeans tend to view ECHR membership as advantageous rather than detrimental, though 24% to 34% of participants feel it has minimal impact.