In April 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested that he would be prepared to see Britain to exit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if it hampers the government's immigration policies. This stance has sparked controversy, as it would lead to Britain leaving the Council of Europe, which oversees democracy and human rights across the continent. Seen by many as another Brexit, such a move could also open the door to significant legislative changes, including the reinstatement of the death penalty. It would likely have profound implications for Britain's international relations, raising questions about whether Britain is heading towards another calamitous rift with Europe and even the United States.

Human rights development has been a central theme in international relations since the Second World War, beginning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and expanding through numerous treaties, such as the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, among others. Regional initiatives like the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights complement this framework, supported by judicial bodies capable of adjudicating human rights violations. However, a growing sentiment for national sovereignty has led to resistance against external legal influences, exemplified by the UK's consideration of leaving the ECHR for a national framework, which would also necessitate its departure from the Council of Europe.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:51 Human Rights Protection in International Relations
02:28 The Council of Europe and the ECHR
04:54 The Debate over Britain and the ECHR
07:10 The Case for Britain Keeping the Convention
09:01 The Case for Britain Leaving the Convention
10:41 Could Britain Leave the ECHR?

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Council of Europe
https://www.coe.int/
European Court of Human Rights
https://www.echr.coe.int
European Convention on Human Rights
https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/...
European Convention on Human Rights | YouTube Presentation   • The European Convention on Human Righ...  
InterAmerican Court of Human Rights
https://www.corteidh.or.cr/index.cfm?...
African Court of Human and People’s Rights
https://www.africancourt.org/wpafc/
International Human Rights Treaties and Conventions | United Nations
https://treaties.un.org/pages/treatie...
Patrick Stewart sketch: what has the ECHR ever done for us?
   • Patrick Stewart sketch: what has the ...  

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