The secretary general admitted that human rights laws need to “change” to stop illegal migrants using it to block their deportation.
The asylum crisis cost taxpayers £4.76 billion a year in 2024/25 (Image: Getty)
A top European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) boss has admitted they “need to address” human rights laws as the UK and other countries grapple with soaring illegal immigration. Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, said it is “absolutely ready” to discuss law reforms as politicians in Britain pile the pressure on to leave the ECHR. However, Mr Berset warned that leaving the international human rights law would result in Britain being “isolated” on the world stage.
The council is the international body in Strasbourg, France, that enforces the work of the ECHR. The court rules on how human rights laws are interpreted across the 46 countries which abide. Both Reform UK and the Conservatives have strongly advocated to leave the treaty, claiming that the human rights law is detrimental to border control.
“I am ready, absolutely ready, and really open to engage in all political discussions, to see what we need to discuss, maybe to change or to adapt,” Mr Berset told the BBC.
“Let us engage on migration issues and to see what we need to address and maybe to change.
“The most important point is to be ready to speak on all issues without taboo… and to see then what could be the possible consensus between member states.”
While those in the UK pushing to quit the ECHR believe it would be advantageous to tackling illegal migration, Mr Berset said “the opposite is true”.
He added: “What I see is more the risk to be a bit isolated. It would mean to be not participating to all the discussion on migration, to take an influence.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the government will commit to changing the interpretation of the right to privacy and family life which is currently cited by immigration lawyers to prevent deportation.
Nine nations in the EU have also called for a major overhaul of ECHR laws, which requires agreement from all 46 member states.
The number of migrant arrivals in small boats has topped 36,000 in 2025 so far, which cost taxpayers £4.76 billion a year in 2024/25.
The UK recorded the largest increase in asylum claims in Europe last year – some 108,000 protection claims were lodged which is a 28% increase from 84,000 in 2023 and surpassing the previous record of 103,000 set in 2002.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed the data which shows claims in France and Germany fell over the same period.
