Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

European Convention on Human Rights: UK Obligations

Wednesday 14 October 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are clear that it is firmly in the UK's interests to remain a member of the European convention on human rights
  • Our commitment to the ECHR is clear and it plays an important role in all aspects of our life
  • The Good Friday agreement, for example, would unravel without the ECHR

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Susan Murray
Democracy & Elections
Context

The UK's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are being questioned, particularly regarding the potential benefits and legal requirements of remaining a member.

Question

What steps she is taking to ensure the UK meets its legal obligations under the European convention on human rights. The ECHR has allowed people to challenge 'do not resuscitate' orders without their consent, and it has enabled victims of rapists like John Warboys to compel the police to investigate. The UK played a leading role in the Chiinău declaration to modernise the ECHR with European partners.

Answer from Ellie Reeves

The Government are clear that it is firmly in the UK's interests to remain a member of the European convention on human rights. The ECHR has allowed people to object when “do not resuscitate” orders are put on their beds without their consent, and it is the reason why victims of rapists such as John Warboys have been able to force the police to investigate rather than being turned away. That is why I will continue to defend the ECHR, and why the UK played a leading role in the Chiinău declaration, working to modernise the ECHR with our European partners.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken to ensure legal obligations are met were not detailed

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Q2 Susan Murray
Northern Ireland
Context

The Conservatives and Reform Union's plan to leave the ECHR, alongside countries like Russia and Belarus, is under scrutiny. This question highlights the contrast with Winston Churchill's role in championing the convention.

Question

The Conservatives and Reform want to leave the ECHR—a convention Winston Churchill championed—putting us alongside Russia and Belarus. Does the Attorney General agree that that is no place for a country that helped to write it?

Answer from Ellie Reeves

Our commitment to the ECHR is clear. It plays an important role in all aspects of our life, including in the Good Friday agreement, for example, which would unravel without it. It is important that we ensure that we modernise where necessary, but our commitment is steadfast.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Attorney General's stance on the Conservatives and Reform Union's plan was not explicitly addressed

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