A former Scotland leader of Nigel Farage’s previous party has been under scrutiny over pro-Russian statements since an explosive court case. The Ferret analysed what David Coburn said about Russia – and Ukraine – throughout his political career.
Mohammed was 17 years old when he was shot by an Israeli sniper in Bethlehem. Two years on, his family say there is no accountability for his death. Their story is one of dozens from across the West Bank, it is claimed, with human rights organisations calling for child rights to be upheld.
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord claimed one million people came to the UK in the 20th century, and seven million people have come to the UK since 2000. This is not accurate.
The UK Government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was stalled this week after a last minute intervention by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The first flight planned as part of the Home Office’ controversial policy was cancelled on Tuesday evening, sparking a new debate about the ECHR’s authority in the UK.
A number of commentators and pundits falsely suggested that the plan was stopped by a EU court.
Ferret Fact Service explains what the ECHR is and how the Rwanda flights were stopped.
The European Court of Human Rights, also known as Strasbourg after its location in the French city, is the international court of the Council of Europe.
It was established in 1959 as a result of the previously agreed European Convention on Human Rights. The court oversees the implementation of the Convention in the member states.
The Council of Europe has 46 members, including the UK. Russia was expelled this year over its invasion of Ukraine.
The ECHR provides an opportunity for people, groups or states to challenge decisions by a member of the Council of Europe that they feel has breached human rights enshrined in the Convention.
The UK Government announced its policy to send asylum seekers who are deemed to have entered the UK “illegally” to Rwanda in April 2022. It said claims would be processed in Rwanda through its immigration system and those who are successful would then be able to settle there, while those who failed would be deported back to their country of origin.
The legality of the plan was called into question as soon as it was announced, with the UN’s refugee agency reportedly twice warning the UK Government that the plan was unlawful.
The first flight was due to depart on Tuesday but was blocked by an 11th-hour intervention by the ECHR, which put in place an “urgent interim measure” in the case of one Iraqi asylum seeker who was due to depart on the flight. The Court ruled his deportation should be delayed until “three weeks after the delivery of the final domestic decision in his ongoing judicial review proceedings”.
This decision provided the legal basis for the remaining six asylum seekers due to be aboard the flight to have their deportation orders cancelled.
The court exists to decide on complaints that member states of the Council of Europe are not abiding by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The UK is a member of the Council so has to abide by the rules set in the Convention.
It usually hears disputes where an individual or group feels they have not received justice within a member country, or has been unable to access the justice system. So the court often ends up deciding on matters of human rights which relate to particular government’s decisions or policy.
During the coverage of the ECHR’s decision, it has regularly been described as an EU court. This is incorrect.
The ECHR is separate from the European Union. The Council of Europe is often mistakenly claimed to be part of the EU, partly because they both use the flag of Europe. But it is a separate organisation which predates the EU and is meant to uphold human rights and democracy. It is not an economic union.
Despite leaving the EU, the UK remains a member of the Council of Europe. All EU member states are also members of the Council.
The ECHR should not be confused with the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is for interpreting and upholding EU law.
Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, told Sky News the government was planning to “challenge” the “initial ruling” of the court.
Home secretary Priti Patel said the government “would not be deterred” from continuing with the flights.
However the temporary intervention in place from the ECHR means any new flight will be subject to similar legal challenge.
Photo thanks to iStock/frankpeters.
Mohammed was 17 years old when he was shot by an Israeli sniper in Bethlehem. Two years on, his family say there is no accountability for his death. Their story is one of dozens from across the West Bank, it is claimed, with human rights organisations calling for child rights to be upheld.
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord claimed one million people came to the UK in the 20th century, and seven million people have come to the UK since 2000. This is not accurate.
The residents of Umm al-Khair in the West Bank were already reeling from the loss of community leader and English teacher Awdah Hathaleen. Now they are fighting a mass demolition order on their homes. Human rights organisations say it’s become a symbol of the struggles of life under occupation.
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