Malta joins 27 states in joint declaration on the European Convention on Human Rights and migration

Malta joins 27 states in joint declaration on the European Convention on Human Rights and migration

Published December 12, 2025

Malta was among 27 Council of Europe Member States to sign a joint declaration delivered during the Ministerial Conference on “Migration and the European Convention on Human Rights” held in Strasbourg on 10 December 2025.

The declaration reaffirms the signatories’ strong belief in the European Convention on Human Rights as a cornerstone of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. It also calls for an open and constructive discussion on how to ensure that the Convention framework remains effective in addressing complex challenges linked to migration and national security.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta, whose Office is an associate member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), welcomed ENNHRI’s public statement ahead of the conference. In the statement, ENNHRI called on all Council of Europe Ministers to uphold the rule of law, respect the Convention, and safeguard the independence of the European Court of Human Rights. It warned against weakening core human rights protections, particularly in the context of migration.

The joint declaration delivered by 27 governments highlights the evolving challenges linked to irregular migration, instrumentalisation of asylum, and the expulsion of individuals convicted of serious crimes. It calls for greater clarity in the interpretation of provisions under the Convention, including Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 8 (right to private and family life). The signatories emphasised the need to strike the right balance between individual rights and broader public interests.

They also reiterated key principles for interpreting the Convention, including subsidiarity, proportionality, shared responsibility, and the States’ right to control their borders in line with international law. The declaration welcomed the proposal by the Council of Europe Secretary General to adopt a political declaration on migration and the Convention at the next Ministerial Meeting in May 2026.

ENNHRI will continue to follow these developments closely, including the follow-up process at the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH), where it participates as an observer.