Council of Europe defends human rights court against criticism over expulsions

The Council of Europe on Saturday defended the independence of the European Court of Human Rights, after nine member states said its interpretation of rights obligations prevented them from expelling migrants who commit crimes. The leaders of Denmark, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in a joint letter made public Thursday called for a “new and open-minded conversation” about how the court interprets the European Convention on Human Rights.