The Norwegian government has declined to support a joint initiative by Denmark and Italy that criticises the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over its interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in migration-related cases. The initiative seeks to make it easier for European countries to deport criminal migrants, arguing that current legal constraints imposed by the court’s rulings undermine national sovereignty.
The proposal has received backing from members of Norway’s Conservative Party (Høyre), who argue that the Strasbourg-based court has placed disproportionate emphasis on individual migrant rights, especially in expulsion cases involving criminal activity.
Conservative Party voices support for the Danish-Italian proposal
Mathilde Tybring-Gjedde and Mahmoud Farahmand, both Members of Parliament for Høyre, have urged the government to sign a joint letter initiated by Denmark and Italy. The letter challenges the ECHR’s perceived overreach in cases involving deportations of individuals convicted of crimes.
“The European Court of Human Rights cannot clip the wings of national politicians when they try to regain control over their borders,” Tybring-Gjedde told Dagens Næringsliv, adding that limited room for manoeuvre in immigration policy could provide fertile ground for far-right movements.
The Danish-Italian initiative reflects broader European concerns about the balance between human rights obligations and effective immigration control. While not formally endorsed by the EU, the move signals growing frustration among certain member states with judicial constraints on national deportation powers.
Labours reaffirm commitment to rule of law
Norway’s Ministry of Justice (Justisdepartementet) rejected the call to join the initiative. State Secretary Joakim Øren emphasised that expelling criminal migrants and individuals without legal residence remains a high priority for the government, but stressed that challenging the ECHR’s legal authority was not an acceptable path.
“Norway has not considered it relevant to join the letter concerning the ECHR’s practices,” Øren told Dagens Næringsliv.
The refusal to join the initiative marks a clear distinction between the government’s approach and that of some of its European neighbours, notably Italy under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Denmark under the Social Democratic-led administration, both of which have adopted stricter immigration stances in recent years.
A broader issue in Europe
The disagreement also reflects broader political divisions in Norway. While the current centre-left government maintains its support for international legal frameworks, opposition voices, particularly from Høyre and further right, are pressing for a more assertive national immigration policy.
The episode underlines the tensions at play across Europe as governments seek to reconcile domestic political pressures, human rights obligations, and concerns over immigration control.
